All At Sea April 2024

GEOFF HOLT’S CHARITY CHALLENGE

After dedicating his life to providing access to the sea for all disabled people, next month quadriplegic adventurer Geoff Holt will be embarking on his latest voyage, Finishing the Dream, demonstrating that “there are no limits to our dreams”.

To celebrate 40 years in a wheelchair, Geoff will be skippering a boat around the UK in a disability accessible Wetwheels boat in aid of the Wetwheels Foundation, the charity he founded to enable barrierfree opportunities on the water for all to support health, wellbeing and create special memories.

Departing on 13 May from St. Katharine Docks, Geoff will have a fundraising target of £1.2m for four new Wetwheels boats, offering life-changing experiences to over 5,000 of the most profoundly disabled people each year. He will be making 17 key stops to inspire and fundraise for more Wetwheels boats. He will also take time to say hello at the eight current Wetwheels locations, which are delivering thousands of trips each year to disabled people.

Geoff said: “Knowing the challenges that lie ahead, this will be the most daring

and demanding project I have ever undertaken. I have been in a wheelchair for 40 years and, although wiser and more experienced, my body is not as forgiving as it once was.

“The 1,500 mile journey will be a test for not only my physical endurance but also a mental challenge as I juggle the logistics of navigating through some of the most dangerous and congested waters in the world.

“Only when I cross the finish line back in London and we hit our fundraising targets will I allow myself to relax. Meanwhile, I look forward to another amazing journey around our beautiful country and meeting friends old and new. Hopefully, by demonstrating that a quadriplegic, 40 years paralysed from the chest down, still has the ability to achieve his dreams will inspire more disabled people to find out about Wetwheels and support the amazing work we do.”

It is estimated the voyage will take Geoff four to six weeks to complete, with a small support team. finishingthedream.co.uk

RYA CLUB OF THE YEAR

From Discover Sailing Days and taster sessions to top level training and

competitions, DWSC delivers a broad range of activities for all ages and abilities.

DWSC Commodore, William Whittaker said: “I am speechless, it is brilliant. This is 10 years of hard work, and we are now seeing the youth and junior sector enjoying sailing on a daily and weekly basis. The kids will be very proud because they have contributed to this success.”

Panel member Janet Viney said:

“Choosing a winner for the overall award was challenging as the standard of the category winners was so high.

We were impressed with how DWSC has not stood still. By introducing new groups and new opportunities, their

membership has kept coming back to enjoy all the club has to offer.”

This year, four new categories were introduced. DWSC also won the Young Person’s Club of the Year category, while the Community Club of the Year went to Gresford Sailing Club. They were recognised for commitment to inclusivity, offering free lessons to members’ children, collaborating with charities and hosting events for various groups.

The Active Club of the Year was won by Colne Yacht Club which engaged with the local community, providing training opportunities and hospitality events.

Lastly, Etherow Country Park Sailing Club

BERTH HOLDERS SCHEME

insurance with Pantaenius UK. The collaboration between the two goes beyond mere commercial interests.

Grounded in shared values, it aims to drive meaningful change, raise awareness and encourage innovation.

Annual

Both companies are committed to environmental stewardship and advocating sustainability; working

together in order to secure a better future for generations to come.

“At boatfolk, we are dedicated to creating great places for everyone who loves being in, on or by the water,” said Dominic Zammit, director at Boatfolk. “Our marinas are not just berths; they are gateways to new adventures. As part of our commitment to making it even easier to spend more time on the water, our partnership with Pantaenius UK means everyone in our community can now benefit from the range of marine insurance options and excellent service they provide to boaters.”

Pantaenius UK wants to ensure a smooth transition for current boatfolk berth holders when their marine insurance renewal is due - with no policy fees, interest free direct debit payments and enhanced policy benefits.

Berth holders with queries can email: boatfolk@pantaenius.co.uk www.pantaenius.com

YOUNG DESIGNER COMPETITION RETURNS

Taking place at the Southampton International Boat Show in September, the prestigious Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition offers a unique platform for young designers from universities across the country to showcase their creativity and innovation in yacht design.

Ben Geary, chair of Superyacht UK, said: “Superyacht UK has a focus to

help young talent enter our awesome industry. The Superyacht UK Young Designer event is a great opportunity for students to see, first hand, more of this world, to show off their talents, all whilst developing great contacts within the industry.”

This year’s competition introduces two categories: category 1 for 2nd and 3rd year students, and category 2 for

Master’s students. A total of 12 places are available, with participants required to hand draw their designs to specific briefs during the two-day event at the Southampton International Boat Show. Entries require nomination by a tutor/lecturer and the completed entry form must be submitted to Superyacht UK by 30 April.

www.superyachtuk.com

clinched the Green Club of the Year award. The club overcame vandalism setbacks in 2021, turning adversity into opportunity. They embraced eco-friendly measures like rainwater harvesting, negotiated free electricity and are pursuing ongoing environmental improvements.

Rob Clark, RYA director of sport development, said: “I think it is really important to recognise the full scope of different clubs and the breadth of activity that happens up and down the country.

“We know that without the volunteers and people that make it possible for others to get afloat, sailing would not be viable as a sport. Hopefully Club of the Year goes a small way to recognise the huge efforts.”

Nominations for the RYA Club of the Year 2025 will open in June.

ART EXHIBITION

An art exhibition inspired by Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year semi-finalists’ paintings of Buckler’s Hard has opened in the maritime village.

The Art of Buckler’s Hard exhibition features the paintings they created, which will be on sale, as well as artworks from the Montagu family collection. The free exhibition runs until 3 November in the Shipyard Office.

Bucker’s Hard director, the Hon. Mary Montagu-Scott said: “We have gathered artwork, which has been tucked away in drawers, our archives and family homes. We are excited to see it come together, with works by New Forest artists and Landscape Artist of the Year semi-finalists which showcase the beauty and maritime history of Buckler’s Hard.”   To celebrate the opening, amateur and professional artists are invited to enter a competition with their own artworks of the beautiful village on the banks of the Beaulieu River. Entrants can submit up to two paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics and textiles under the themes of ‘Sailing by’, ‘Where time flows differently’ and ‘Step back in history’ for a chance to win. The winners’ artwork will be displayed in the exhibition and visitors will be asked to vote for their favourites.

Draycote Water Sailing Club won RYA Club of the Year, with the trophy presented by Olympic gold medallist Eilidh McIntyre.

Image: Philippe Delannoy

Filming at Buckler’s Hard for Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year

Image: Paul Wyeth

ALL ABOARD

By Jane Hyde

editor@allatsea.co.uk | www.allatsea.co.uk | facebook.com/allatseanewspaper

Regular readers of All at Sea will know that April is when we bring you our annual events guide which, this month, features shows, festivals, jumbles and more from the end of March through to the end of June. It will continue next month with the many events taking place across July, August and September (and perhaps into October!). As always, I would suggest confirming any events before you go as they are, as always, subject to change (and the weather!).

While it is di cult to pick out particular events, the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show is a particular highlight and is now a regular sight at Ocean Village Marina in April. Of course, a unique aspect of this show is the huge range of green tech and products, with experts ready to answer your questions. We will be there and hope to see you too… find out more in our preview on page 30.

Another event happening this month is, not a show, but the conclusion of the Ocean Globe Race, which began in September. The first yachts are expected across the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in mid April, so keep your eyes on our website for up-dates as the teams arrive including, of course, British entrant Maiden.

Moving on to May, another show to look out for is the Thames Valley Boat Show at MDL Penton Hook Marina in Surrey. This free to enter event is, interestingly, supported, this year, by BoatLife. It is great to see the success of the Birmingham BoatLife event filter through to other boat shows. This can only be a good thing for boaters, and the industry as a whole.

It would have been impossible to miss last month’s celebrations for the RNLI’s 200th birthday, but the good news is there will be events continuing throughout the year, and perhaps at your local lifeboat station. You can read about the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey which took place on the charity’s birthday, 4 March, on the next page.

Perhaps you watched the special episode of Saving Lives at Sea presented by long-time RNLI supporter Dermot O’Leary. If you missed it, catch up on iPlayer.

Are you a member of a sailing club? There are many fantastic clubs up and down the country, so it must have

APRIL

2024

We

With

MY

In this new occasional series Cruising Association members share stories of their favourite harbours, beginning with Ardfern in Scotland.

SUMMER CRUISING .................. 22

In this new series of cruising guides, Ancasta’s Andy Christie shares his favourite places to explore around Salcombe in Devon.

been a tough decision for the judges choosing the RYA Club of the Year. You can, however, find out this year’s winner on page 3, and if you think it should have been your club make sure it is nominated for the next awards!

We have two new series starting this month, both designed to help you make the most of your time on the water and discover (or re-discover) new destinations.

First up is Summer Cruising with Ancasta which, this month, explores Salcombe in Devon. I will be visiting Devon next month and will definitely be heading to some of the places mentioned!

Image: UK Crown Copyright 2021

We also have ‘My Favourite Harbour’ starting, courtesy of the Cruising Association. Staying in the UK, Fiona Hampton-Matthews shares her love of Ardfern on the west coast of Scotland. Both these features are a great reminder of the amazing places in the UK; we would love to hear about your favourites too.

Lastly, I wanted to let you know that you can now subscribe to All at Sea for 6 months (just pay for P&P), so you will never have to miss an issue of your favourite boating read. Head to shop.allatsea.co.uk to find out more.

Happy spring boating!

WIN WITH ALL AT SEA

Warship 2024 –2 copies!

Worth £45 each p10

p37

Anchoright Chain Marking Set

Worth up to £100

WATERSPORTS 23

The days are getting longer which means it is time to get your sailing dinghy ready for the season ahead.

EVENTS GUIDE ......................... 26

Your three-page boating events guide packed with things to do from now until July!

BRITISH MARINE 29

Exploring excellence on the water with The Yacht Harbour Association’s Gold Anchor Scheme and Find a Marina tool.

SHOW PREVIEW ....................... 30

The popular South Coast and Green Tech Boat Show returns to Southampton this month.

SHOOTIN’ THE BREEZE ............. 32

We catch up with Helly Hansen brand ambassador Joan Mulloy, a professional Irish o shore solo sailor.

PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER .. 34

Who won the Cruising Association's competition?

HEMSBY’S STORY 34

The Lifeboat for the Broads and the threat coastal erosion poses to Norfolk’s Hemsby Lifeboat Station.

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH ........... 35

Is your photo in this month’s round-up?

WHAT’S COOKING?................... 36

How about trying Eggs in Hell for a tasty onboard breakfast?

ONBOARD WITH BOATSHED 37

Neil Chapman delves further into what it is really like to live onboard and the considerations involved.

COMPETITION ......................... 37

Win a complete Anchoright Chain Marking Set including the unique guide plate.

PUZZLE PAGE ........................... 38

Can you complete all of this month’s puzzles? Give them a try today...

MARINA FOCUS ....................... 40

This month we are at Haslar Marina, tucked away just inside the south-west corner of Portsmouth’s historic harbour.

MARINA GUIDE ........................ 42

The latest news from around the UK’s marinas, plus your regional marina guide.

IN THE DRINK 46

Is mid-strength alcohol wine a new trend in the UK?

COMMEMORATING 200 YEARS OF LIFESAVING

A commemoration service took place at Westminster Abbey

As part of the RNLI’s celebrations to mark their 200th anniversary on 4 March, volunteers, crew and staff from across the UK and Ireland joined a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

The service was conducted by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster and was attended by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, the Institution’s president. The Most reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, gave an address ending with: “200 years is something extraordinary to celebrate. A common purpose for 200 years is almost unknown. Saving life is the most precious gift of all, and the basis of these gifts in the life and selfgiving of God is a model for everyone.

DORSET BOAT SHOw

So, as it shows that model, may God continue to bless and protect those who serve in the RNLI.”

Nick White, lifeboat operations manager at Littlehampton lifeboat station, who attended the service, said: “Knowing that we are carrying on a 200 year tradition of going to sea in all weathers to assist those in distress is humbling. Together with my colleagues from Littlehampton and RNLI volunteers from all points of the compass it has been an honour to commemorate 200 years of saving lives at sea; 200 years and counting.”

In March representatives from Littlehampton lifeboat station also took part in the next stage of the RNLI’s ‘Connecting our Communities’ relaystyle event; a 5m scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, began its journey at the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

The scroll will pass through 240 RNLI locations around the UK and Ireland before finishing its journey in October at Douglas on the Isle of Man, home to the RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary.

Also part of the anniversary celebrations, the RNLI’s Chair, Janet Legrand, was joined by staff and volunteers to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate remarkable women lifesavers. For 2024, the theme for International Women’s Day was to inspire inclusion by celebrating diversity and empowerment for the future.

Janet Legrand said: “For generations, women have launched lifeboats, fundraised millions and saved lives. As we enter our third century, we hope to inspire more women to volunteer with our lifesaving charity.”

RNLI.org/200

SAVING LIVES AT SEA SPECIAL

As the RNLI continues to mark 200 years of lifesaving, the charity’s lifeboat crews returned to our television screens last month in a special episode of Saving Lives at Sea (on BBC Two and iPlayer).

The episode, commissioned to mark the charity’s 200th anniversary and guest presented by long-time RNLI supporter Dermot O’Leary (pictured), took a closer look at RNLI crews’ involvement in the Second World War. Dermot visited lifeboat stations around the coast uncovering the stories of the pivotal role that the RNLI and its crews played in some of the most important events of the time.

One of those stations was Cromer where Dermot found out more about Henry Blogg. One of the greatest figures in RNLI history, Henry Blogg was a volunteer at Cromer lifeboat station who, alongside his crew, saved 873 lives. During his 53 years at the station, Henry was awarded three Gold Medals and four Silver Medals for Gallantry, as well as the British Empire

Medal and the George Cross for his lifesaving during the Second World War.

Dermot said: “As an ambassador for the RNLI and a huge history fan, it was a privilege for me to uncover some of the untold stories that saw ordinary volunteers get involved in some of the most extraordinary events of the Second World War. The brave men and women we heard about left a real impression on me, as did the presentday volunteers I was able to meet along the way, who are still saving lives at sea today.”

Mark Dowie, RNLI chief executive, said: “As viewers will see, our lifeboat crews played a remarkable role during the war, with stories of great tragedy and also immense bravery featured in the episode. Over the course of the Second World War, the RNLI saved 6,376 lives. Our lifeboat crews towed vessels loaded with explosives, navigated minefields and rescued downed aircrew from both sides during the Battle of Britain.”

Visit the inaugural Dorset Boat Show by boatpoint and enjoy some of the industry’s favourite new, used and subscription boats available to buy in time for the start of the boating season.

With a line-up of pre-owned and brand new sail and power boats for all budgets, you’re sure to find your next dream boat. And with a range of exciting new releases, including the UK premiere of the brand-new Quarken 35 Cabin, and the launch of Beyonder subscription boating in Portland Marina, there will be something for everyone at the Dorset Boat Show.

EXPEDITION ZERO

Expedition Zero is making waves in the adventure sailing world with its plan for a ground-breaking expedition through the Northwest Passage.

The journey, starting in Nuuk, Greenland and concluding in Nome, Alaska, will cover more than 900 miles of the Arctic’s most formidable waters. With its history of exploration,

shipwrecks and tales of survival the Northwest Passage presents a unique backdrop against which Expedition Zero will demonstrate the viability of cuttingedge, eco-friendly technologies. The passage stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, offering a rare glimpse into a world of dramatic

ice floes, pristine arctic landscapes and uncharted waters. Scheduled for August 2026 in partnership with its first customer, award-winning adventure sailing company Wavysail, the voyage aims to "set a new standard for sustainable adventure sailing".

This expedition not only aims to explore one of the last great frontiers of adventure sailing but also to challenge and inspire the maritime industry towards greater sustainability.

The 72ft expedition yacht for the journey will be upcycled using innovative, low-impact, fully recyclable materials. Coupled with the latest in electric propulsion technology and powered entirely by natural elements – sun, sea and wind – the yacht is designed to navigate the Arctic with zero fossil fuel use.

Expedition Zero is seeking skilled sailors and intrepid explorers for its limited six crew spots. Comprehensive training and specialist gear, included in the expedition, ensure all participants will be well-prepared for this test of sailing prowess. wavysail.com/northwest-passage

LESSONS FROM A BOAT

The ‘Lessons From A Boat’ ocean rowing team will embark on the challenge of a lifetime this December as they attempt to row the Atlantic Ocean in the ‘World’s Toughest Row’.

This annual event has some formidable statistics with crews rowing in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes and consuming in excess of 1 million calories over the 3,000 mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The oarsmen will share a tiny space as they make their selfrighting Rannoch 45 ocean rowing boat an aquatic home for weeks on end.

The event itself has its roots in the 1960s when an inexperienced Chay Blyth and John Ridgeway made the North Atlantic crossing in a 20ft open ‘dory’. It was two Norwegians, however, who made the inaugural and pioneering crossing at the end of the 19th century. The boats and safety equipment have been transformed since then but the scale of the

challenge remains the same.

Jon and Steve, both teachers, want to use this opportunity to teach ‘real’ lessons and encourage young people to ‘get out of their comfort zone’.

Dan, a successful business leader from Cornwall, is passionate about sharing his lessons, in collaboration with Plymouth university, on the environment. Jason, a medical professional, is seeking to share important

Does

messages on health and, in particular, the use of some clever technology to support better diet and wellbeing.

The countless ‘lessons’ started for the team, however, on the day they signed up and this has included a seven-day intensive training programme.

The World’s Toughest Row organisers have very high standards and the crew must log at least 120 hours ‘on the water’ and demonstrate

PETS AFLOAT

their capacity to stay safe and handle the kind of eventualities they will face.

The team are based in Chichester Harbour, courtesy of Premier Marinas, and will use this to their advantage as they promote their cause and train in the Solent and beyond.

The team have chosen Diabetes UK and The Final Straw as their adopted charities for the row. lessonsfromaboat.com

CALLING YOUNG ADVENTURERS

First Class Sailing is offering the opportunity for young adventurers to embark on a residential at sea as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Set aboard the 1908 classic yacht, Golden Vanity, this programme promises a perfect blend of adventure, teamwork and skill development. First Class Sailing has curated a program that not only aligns with the values of the Duke of Edinburgh Award but also offers the chance to achieve an RYA Competent Crew qualification and

complete the National Historic Ships UK, Traditional Seafarer Introductory Course simultaneously.

Charlie Tulloch, principal of First Class Sailing, said: “We are thrilled to offer young individuals a transformative experience aboard Golden Vanity. Our programme not only aligns with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award but goes beyond, providing a unique blend of adventure and skill development that will leave a lasting impact.”

www.firstclasssailing.com

SEEKING ADVENTURE?

Arksen has introduced the opportunity for like-minded adventurers to enjoy up to 50 per cent ownership of ‘Project Ocean’, a groundbreaking longrange explorer vessel, as part of the Arksen Coownership programme. The programme enables members to share ownership of vessels and provides access to curated, multiyear cruising itineraries across European, Asian, American and Global syndicates.

Project Ocean has been built with an advanced hybrid propulsion system, state-of-the-art stabilisation technology and systems engineering which work in harmony to optimise efficiency while significantly reducing emissions, noise and vibrations. The vessel can switch to zero emissions mode

and silent running upon reaching a destination, thanks to its solar array and hybrid propulsion. With the virtual anchor system, this means serene and sensitive marine areas can be enjoyed while leaving no trace.

Jasper Smith, founder and CEO of Arksen, said: “Arksen was created to help satisfy our need for adventure, and to create an environment that is

nurturing to family and friends. Getting off grid and being challenged by an experience, visiting extraordinary places, eating great food and laughing with people that you love is what makes life special. The Arksen Coownership programme is a testament to our dedication to creating a community-driven, experiential approach to ocean exploration.”

REFER A BOAT SCHEME

Boatshed.com is calling for marine businesses and the industry’s wider customer base to join its Refer a Boat scheme. Over the past year, users registered around 100 referrals on Referaboat.com giving them opportunities to earn 20 per cent of the broker’s commission. With Boatshed.com being viewed by over 280,000 unique visitors per month and selling more than 1,000 boats a year, founder Neil Chapman says the

referral scheme is a great way to increase earning potential.

“Once you register with us and we agree to list the boat, we can share its details more widely than any other registered broker and we do all the legwork – contacting the owner and handling the marketing, viewing, negotiations and paperwork.

“It is so easy - simply register with referaboat.com, copy a unique referral link and share it with anyone thinking of selling a boat. Our intuitive interface enables you to easily submit and manage referrals, and improved messaging and notification features create a smoother, more collaborative experience.”

Sell your boat in a few simple steps with All at Sea and Boatshed - see page 24.

Image: Philippe Delannoy

Connie does not look impressed somebody is overtaking her! A different kind of pet afloat, meet Flick the Bearded Dragon

Rosie, a Cocker Spaniel, is loving life onboard in Torquay

This is Wally on his Shilling Yawl, berthed at Emsworth

The team boat ‘Saltie’

Image: Arksen

NEWS SNAPS

PY SCHEME FOR 2024

The Portsmouth Yardstick number list for 2024 is available; the scheme has made it possible for boats to race against each other for over 70 years. The RYA has also been working with She eld Hallam University to review the system, which will help identify areas where the formula can be approved.

PACIFIC CHALLENGE

Just over two years after setting a new record for the fastest female pair to row across the Atlantic, best friends and adventure seekers Jessica Oliver and Charlotte Harris are aiming to become the fastest women’s team to conquer the Pacific, while raising money for Shelter. The duo, Team Wild Waves, will embark on the 2,800-mile journey from Monterey Bay, California to Hawaii in June as part of the ‘World’s Toughest Row – Pacific challenge’. The current record for female pairs is 46 days, 17 hours and 47 minutes. www.teamwildwaves.com

SPECIAL EDITION

The Barcelona Boat Show will participate in the America’s Cup, which will take place in Barcelona’s waters, in a format adapted for the occasion. It will take advantage of the regatta’s setting to showcase the sector’s advances in key fields such as sustainability and technology, as well as to generate promotional opportunities.

SUPPER FOR THE RNLI

The Classic Boat Museum, the Isle of Wight RNLI Board and the Cowes Hammerhead Crane Trust are cohosting a supper at the Classic Boat Museum Boat Shed in Cowes on 24 May to celebrate the Bicentenary of the RNLI, raise awareness about saving lives at sea and to thank those involved. The evening includes a guided tour of the museum and live music. Tickets are priced at £35pp. shorturl.at/kyHLU

WINNING READERS

Congratulations to February’s competition winners. Jenny Rogers, from Bromsgrove, won The Traitors game, Kevin Johnson, from Tyne and Wear, won a copy of Ultimate Sailing Adventures and the five winners of a RNLI 200 Supporters Pack were Siobhan Newton, Lincoln, Maureen Cox (pictured), Exeter, Lawrence Conway, Surrey, Michael Lambert, Hertfordshire, and Sonia Williams, Norwich. This month’s competitions can be found on pages 10 and 37.

THIS TIME IN 2021…

While it seems like a long time ago now, three years ago we were discussing the further lifting of Covid restrictions, the high demand for boats and staycations and the return of many much-loved events after so many cancellations in 2020.

DORSET BOAT SHOW

Boat sales company, boatpoint, is hosting the Dorset Boat Show from 12 – 14 April at boatfolk's Portland Marina.

The show will see the UK launch of the new Quarken 35 (pictured) as well as the launch of Beyonder at Portland Marina, a boat subscription service providing a more accessible way to enjoy the boating lifestyle, as well as some of the industry's favourite new, used and subscription boats available to view.

Phil Jones, group new boat sales manager at boatpoint, said: “We love the quality and craftsmanship of the Quarken range and look forward to showcasing it to UK consumers. With the Quarken 35 model set to make waves in the UK waters, we are sure it will be a valued addition to the boating community.”

The boatpoint team will be on hand to discuss a range of new and used boats for sale too, and will welcome visitors to experience tours of the line-up of boats on display. From the luxurious Jeanneau NC37, to the rugged Ryds 650, Ryds 735 and Ryds 550, there is something to captivate every boating enthusiast.

www.dorsetboatshow.co.uk

LONDON CELEBRATIONS

To end a week of D-Day 80th commemorations, on 8 and 9 June, a ‘Special Services Weekend’ at St Katharine Docks Marina will showcase special waterborne services and vessels along the Thames and beyond.

Visitors are invited to meet representatives from the Royal Navy, the Marine Policing Unit, Border Force and more as they

THAMES VALLEY BOAT SHOW

REGATTA RETURNS

Falmouth, in Cornwall, will again provide the showcase start for one of the world’s most prestigious classic yacht regattas this summer.

The Richard Mille Cup will gather a fleet of around 15 beautifully restored classic superyachts in a contemporary take on the regatta circuits of pre-war years, beginning with three days of racing hosted by Falmouth Harbour and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club from 2 June and ending in Le Havre, France, on 15 June.

The event will bring around 500 competitors and their guests to Falmouth as well as hundreds of spectators, crowds of whom last year took to the water or lined the coast around Falmouth Harbour and Bay, St Mawes and St Anthony Headland to watch.

Dr William Collier of Classic Regattas, who organise the Richard Mille Cup, said: “Feedback from participants was tremendous and when we started to discuss the 2024 regatta we realised that the best choice was to simply stay with the proven formulae of Falmouth, Dartmouth, Cowes and Le Havre.”

The Richard Mille contenders are invited owners and charterers of yachts built before 1939 or faithful replicas of such yachts, with vessels competing in the Schooner and Cutter categories. The event includes racing and social events organised by the Royal Cornwall and the Royal Dart Yacht Clubs and the Royal Yacht Squadron, before the final race of the Société des Régates du Havre in France. www.richardmillecup.com

The Thames Valley Boat Show, sponsored by TBS Boats and organised in association with BoatLife and MDL, will take place from 31 May - 2 June at MDL Penton Hook Marina in Chertsey, Surrey.

From regular boaters to newcomers, the free to enter show o ers a great opportunity for everyone to look around and climb on board a range of boats.

Chris Manners, TBS Sales and event founder, said: “This boutique show gives us a chance to see our local audience and give them a great experience in a stunning location. The last show was very popular, and with the additional support from BoatLife and MDL this year it will be even better.”

The Thames Valley Boat Show line-up includes Bates Wharf, Tingdene, Bray Marine Sales and TBS. With 100 dedicated sales berths afloat, 40+ marquee spaces

bring awareness to their vital roles. Most importantly, it will be a chance to discover the vital working vessels and their custodians. The Royal Navy will be in attendance with one of its Archer Class P2000 fast patrol boats. The MET Marine Police Unit at Wapping will also be there with one of its Targa patrol motorboats. www.skdocks.co.uk/marina

ashore and 50 boat spaces found ashore, attendees can expect a vast array of boats and accessories to explore.

With a family-friendly atmosphere, there will also be activities such as SUP sessions and demonstrations of dinghy sailing available for children. There will be a choice of catering, accompanied by live music throughout the event too. As a special addition, the show will feature a late opening on Saturday, o ering extended hours.

BoatLife’s Richard Dove said: “In 2024 the whole ethos of BoatLife as a brand is coming to life. With the core Birmingham show established it allows us scope to deliver new events and support events like these, bringing boating to more and more audiences. The May Bank Holiday dates, free entry and key location make an ideal combination to appeal to families and the goal is to bring new people into the industry.”

www.thamesvalley-boatshow.co.uk

SCOTTISH TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL IN JUNE

The 31st annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival returns to the historic harbour of Portsoy over 22 - 23 June.

Welcoming heritage craft from across the country, registrations are open for skippers and sailing crews to sign up for this year’s event, which is expected to attract more than 13,000 visitors. Around 30 boats took part in the 2023 festival, which was o cially opened by HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.

Richard Thorne, maritime co-ordinator of the festival, has already confirmed 10 traditional boats: “We have had a strong start to our maritime line-up with the 17th century Fifie herring drifter Reaper confirmed to make the journey from the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, Fife. We will also welcome back White Wing, a 33ft Baldie, and setting sail from Wick in Caithness will be 19th century Fifie and festival favourite, the Isabella Fortuna.

“Since the festival began in 1993, it has attracted some of the finest, and most historic, craft. We have been fortunate that many of the crews and boats return year after year as they enjoy the festival’s unique atmosphere, along with the opportunity to link up with other boating crews and coastal communities.”

The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival puts the spotlight on the north-east’s sea faring culture, sharing stories and songs, craft demonstrations and an insight into what life was like at sea, hundreds of years ago.

Richard said: “The flotilla of traditional boats forms the centrepiece to our weekend of maritime celebrations, which include live music and dance, Scottish food and drink and age-old crafts. Our aim is to increase the number of boats attending and we would encourage crews and traditional boat

builders to get in contact. We work closely with the harbourmaster to plan and advise on harbour access, and manoeuvrability, to provide adequate berthing options.”

www.stbfportsoy.org/take-part/maritime

The 17th century Fifie herring drifter Reaper is confirmed for the festival

Image: St Katharine Docks Marina London

Image: James Robinson Taylor

Image: Allan Robertson

UNPARALLELED ACCESS TO THE WORLD’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS MOTOR YACHTS

Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th

May 2024

Premier Marinas, Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 1ZL

An exclusive boat show offering serious buyers the chance to view the world’s most luxurious motor yachts in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Hosted by Premier Marinas Swanwick and backed by top British motor yacht brands Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker, discover a stunning collection of over 70 boats representing 50 leading brands.

Register for your complimentary pass at britishmotoryachtshow.com

Princess S72

Sunseeker Superhawk 55

Fairline Targa 40

DRAMATIC START

A HOME WIN

After the cancellation of racing on day 1 due to dolphins on the racecourse, SailGP implemented a ‘Super Sunday’ race format, consisting of three fleet races and then a winner-takes-all final podium race.

Critically, season leader Australia was ruled out of the event and given penalty points following a collision with a course mark just after the start, leaving them with event-ending damage to the green and gold F50.

The day's three di erent winners – France, New Zealand and defending champions Canada – ultimately went head-to-head in the three-boat podium final. The event win for New Zealand and the penalty points awarded to Australia from race 1 sees the Kiwis top the overall leaderboard, nine points in front of Australia.

It was a tough weekend for the British team; in the final practice race on Friday, Emirates GBR had a collision with Spain after not realising the Spanish

had tacked back onto starboard. This meant Emirates GBR was the port tack boat, and they had to keep clear of Diego Botin’s crew, who had the right of way.

Due to the F50s being damaged in the incident, the SailGP umpires handed Emirates GBR an eight-point event penalty, and also deducted four season points.

The SailGP Tech Team worked through the night to get both boats repaired in time for racing.

After their eventual 7th place in New Zealand, Emirates GBR sits in 8th on the leaderboard going into the next event, the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix on 5-6 May.

In the first time since the September race start that the entire fleet departed together, it was a memorable start to the final leg of the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race in Punta Del Este, Uruguay.

In 15, gusting to 25 knots, south-westerly headwinds and lumpy 3-4m swells the OGR spectators gracing the Punta del Este breakwater were treated to an entertaining display of yachts racing in, at times, way too close for comfort. It was not long before this too close for comfort racing and big seas produced the first drama of the day. Shortly after the start Maiden radioed to communicate a man overboard, which was later confirmed to be a crew member of Pen Duick VI. Crew onboard Pen Duick VI utilised their MOB recovery system to recover the man and First mate Tom Napper signalled to Maiden’s media support RIB that the crew member was ok.

Pen Duick VI tweeted: “All crew onboard is ok, just one a bit too eager who needed to cool down a

bit. We picked him up very fast and were back ahead of our beloved t9 right after.”

Also within the first 30 minutes, the Swan 65 Evrika and IRC winners of Leg 3 Triana came a little too close for comfort narrowly avoiding a collision but resulting in Evrika colliding with and spearing a buoy with their bowsprit.

Explorer was also to su er from the big sea hitting a large port control maker in a stalled tack, sliding up onto it before dragging past. They reported the damage as ‘cosmetic’ and continued una ected.

The first yachts are expected across the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in mid-April. At the time of writing Pen Duick VI is due to arrive first, ahead of L’Esprit d’Equipe, Spirit of Helsinki and Maiden.

If you are interested in the 2027 OGR, there are at least 10 teams waiting to join the second edition. There are seven OGR yachts up for sale at present including Translated 9, Outlaw, White Shadow, Sterna, L’Esprit d’Equipe and Godspeed.

WIN! 2 COPIES UP FOR GRABS

Warship 2024

Edited by John Jorden

May 2024

Published by: Osprey Publishing

The 2024 edition of Warship, the annual publication featuring original research on the history, development and service of the world’s warships, is published in May. For over 45 years, Warship has been the leading annual resource on the design, development and deployment of the world’s combat ships. Featuring a broad range of articles from a select panel of distinguished international contributors, this latest volume combines original research, new book reviews, warship notes, an image gallery and much more, maintaining the standards of scholarship and research with which Warship has become synonymous.

This edition includes features on Imperial Japan’s Matsu and Tachibana destroyer classes, the Italian CRDA midget submarines, France’s 1960s missile frigates Su ren and Duquesne and Germany’s sailing raider of World War I, Seeadler.

For a chance to win this book enter at www.allatsea.co.uk or by email to editor@allatsea. co.uk with the subject header Warship Competition.

Q: This year’s Warship includes CRDA midget submarines from which country?

Closing date: 30/4/24. See competition T&Cs on page 46.

Image: Felix Diemer for SailGP

Delivering a simpler, more fluid boating experience for mid-sized center consoles and dayboats.

Our latest operating system introduces redesigned charts, our fastest-ever auto-routing, and seamless integration for total control of your boat.

NEWS SNAPS

TRADE-IN BONUS

Available on orders placed on or before 31 May 2024, Yamaha Marine UK is offering customers the option to trade-in their old outboard engines, regardless of brand or model year, and they will receive up to an additional £380 trade-in bonus upon purchase of any new Yamaha portable or versatile model in the tiller handle range up to 25hp (bonus amount varies and is applicable upon purchase of particular models). The trade-in bonus is in addition to any part exchange value offered by individual dealers regardless of the make, model or year of the trade-in model. www.yamaha-motor.eu Read more power news on page 16.

SAILOR CLEARED

Two weeks after anonymous accusations were made, offshore sailor Clarisse Cremer and her husband, Tanguy Le Turquais, were cleared of allegations they cheated in the 2020/21 Vendee Globe following an investigation by an international jury. The accusations were based on screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between the two. However, the jury said the screenshots: “do not demonstrate that Clarisse received performance assistance”.

EXCLUSIVE DEALER

Polish boat builder Virtue Yachts has appointed S6 Marine exclusive dealer for UK and Ireland. The premier of the V10 day boat in the UK will be at the South Coast and Green Tech Boat Show in Southampton this month.

FALMOUTH CLASSICS

Falmouth Classics, a major UK sailing event for classic boats, takes place from 14 – 16 June.

The event will provide two days of racing in the idyllic surrounds of the Carrick Roads and out in Falmouth Bay for the larger craft. This year will see 14 classes line up including a fleet of 15 Salcombe Yawls, and it is hoped that in their centenary year there will be a good showing of Falmouth Sunbeams.

Already more than 30 entries have been received, all from craft that meet the criteria of having been built on or before 1974 or have been built subsequently to a pre-1974 design,

built traditionally in wood or/and have a traditional gaff or lug rig.

Some entries are local but the harbours of Fowey, Salcombe, Dartmouth and Portsmouth are all represented illustrating the draw of this popular event on the classic sailing calendar.

At 129-years-old, the oldest entry to date is Pilgrim of Brixham, the last of a large fleet of sailing trawlers. She is operated by the Pilgrim Heritage Foundation and is a regular Classics participant.

Following the third race on Saturday there will be the opportunity to demonstrate rowing and sculling skills in a

series of fun races at the Royal Cornwall Sailing Club.

Sunday morning will see the parade of sail and power take place in the Carrick Roads with well over 100 craft expected. The Roads will be transformed into a cloud of sail as the fleet travels south. This year up to 15 vintage lifeboats are expected to join the two local lifeboats to mark 200 years of the RNLI; a follow up to the Falmouth RNLI open day on 15 June. The small boat parade will take place in the inner harbour on Sunday afternoon and is

expected to include a fleet of steam boats as well as vessels powered by sail and oar.

On shore there will be receptions, a hog roast supper for skippers and crews and the opportunity to enjoy over 70 bands participating in the Falmouth International Shanty Festival. On the historic Quays there will be a maritime village with a range of exhibitors, some selling boats, chandlery, others with marine related gifts and an opportunity to taste local gin.

www.falmouthclassics.org

COWES CLASSICS WEEK

Cowes Classics Week, 6 – 12 July, is all about racing traditional yachts on the water and enjoying social events ashore, and has announced a new link with the Classic Channel Regatta and Yacht Club Classique for the ‘Five Lights’ Series.

The Classic Channel Regatta is enjoyed by a number of Cowes Classics Week competitors. The two events have now agreed a formal co-operation and the Classic CowesDartmouth Race will start on 14 July on the Royal London Yacht Club line, giving those yachts competing in Classics Week Friday afternoon and Saturday to prepare for the race to Dartmouth.

Cowes Classics Week itself is run by sailors for sailors, involving more than 90 volunteers over four race courses offering excellent Corinthian racing

conditions. Each year the organisers note competitors’ comments and make changes to ensure an everimproving experience. So, after a significant number of comments, a Pursuit Race for dayboats will be offered on 8 July followed by series races from Tuesday to Friday morning. Shoreline racing will be Monday to Friday. This enables those who wish to enjoy a whole week of racing to do so but offers others the choice to race for 3.5 days.

Cowes Classics Day, on 7 July, has become an established prelude to the racing. In addition to the 50+ classic and interesting cars filling the Parade, they will also welcome several classic motorboats, a visit by a WWII Motor Gun Boat and flying displays including a Spitfire.

www.cowesclassicsweek.org

The 1895 Pilgrim of Brixham BM45 sailing in the 2023 Parade of Sail and Power Image: David Barnicoat

NEW ZEUS® S

Zeus S is designed for simplicity. It all starts with brand new Sailing Modes for Cruising and Racing. Get instant access to all the right data for your situation.

Zeus S also brings updates and additions to B&G®’s award-winning sailing features like C-MAP®-powered Safety Alerts, race routes, Laylines and SailSteer™.

On-board navigation is taken care of by the highly-accurate C-MAP DISCOVER™ X and REVEAL™ X charts, and our intuitive new interface and Setup Wizard get you connected to all your on-board electronics in minutes. AVAILABLE IN 7”, 9” & 12”.

KIT BAG

EXPANDED GPSMAP

X3 SERIES

From Garmin we have the GPSMAP® 16x3 chartplotters - the newest addition to the GPSMAP x3 series that combines the same features, including built-in Garmin Navionics+™ mapping and sonar support, with a high-resolution full HD 16-inch touchscreen display. For superior clarity and sunlight readability, the GPSMAP 16x3’s in-plane switching (IPS) display provides consistent, accurate colours that can be seen from all viewing angles, even with polarised sunglasses. The sonar combo versions (GPSMAP xsv series) o er built-in support for Ultra High-Definition ClearVü™ and SideVü™ scanning sonar with high-contrast vivid colour palettes which help distinguish fish from structure, along with CHIRP traditional sonar.

ECHOPILOT FLS 3D GEN4

Marine safety equipment manufacturer Daniamant has partnered with Raymarine for its latest development – the EchoPilot FLS 3D Gen4 – with direct integration to Raymarine Axiom Multifunction Displays. Developed to simply ‘plug and play’, it is easily connected to the Raynet via an RJ45 cable. Once integrated, the EchoPilot app appears on the Axiom display, allowing users to see the forwardlooking image in real time. The EchoPilot FLS 3D Gen4 o ers obstacle detection of seabed objects that may not be visible from the surface or on the vessel’s chart; this is crucial for avoiding collisions, especially in shallow or poorly charted waters with rocks, reefs or other hazards. Further benefits include anchoring - helping sailors to find a suitable spot with good holding ground and minimal underwater obstacles.

€9,999

www.daniamant.com

DIGITAL YACHT 5G XTREAM

GPSMAP 16x3 series from £4,739.99

SMART-THERM MID LAYER JACKET

GPSMAP 16x3xsv series from £4,899.99 www.garmin.com

Sizes: XS – XXL

Colour: Navy blue £165 (gilet £135) www.henrilloyd.com

Choosing the perfect jacket for all conditions is easier than ever thanks to Henri-Lloyd’s SmartTherm mid-layer jacket. The ideal all-rounder for everyday use, it has been designed to provide targeted warmth, wicking and ventilation by using advanced body mapping that mirrors how the body performs. Designed to keep you dry and comfortable by transporting vapours and moisture and retain heat even when wet, the jacket is perfect for o shore use as a high performing mid-layer or onshore as the go-to jacket for a range of outdoor pursuits.

For boat owners looking for ultra-fast internet onboard, the new 5G Xtream from Digital Yacht o ers 4G and 5G connectivity as well as integration with Starlink satellite systems for the best and a ordable blended internet afloat. The 5G Xtream can support 5G (shoreside) connection speeds up to 3.1GBs but also integrates a 4G Cat 20 modem which o ers connectivity up to about 25nm from shore at speeds of up to 2GBs. The Digital Yacht 5G Xtream is supplied as a complete solution with antennas, mounts and cabling – all that is additionally required is a cellular SIM. £1,595

www.digitalyacht.co.uk

HEY DUDE

Hey Dude o ers a range of slip-on shoes and moccasins that combine fashionable designs with comfort. The range is made with lightweight materials and flexible soles giving, in Hey Dude’s words, ‘a natural feel and a perfect fit’. From vibrant patterns to classic monochrome, the range of styles ensures that there is a pair for every personality and occasion. Pictured is the brand’s signature style, Wendy, which is available in various styles.

From £53.99

www.heydude.uk

LE CHAMEAU BOOTS

Le Chameau’s Neptune (pictured) and Marinord boots, both of which will feature on French adventurer Guirec Soudée’s kit list, were designed by yachtsmen for o shore sailors. Handmade using saltwater resistant Chamolux rubber, they are 100 per cent waterproof and benefit from clever design features for superior grip, reinforcement, warmth and quick drying. Both are handcrafted by Le Chameau Master Bootmakers.

Neptune Neoprene Lined Boot: £300

Marinord Neoprene Lined Boot: £160 www.lechameau.com

ULTIMATE PROTECTION

Tested by Britain’s o shore sailor, Will Harris, Musto has launched the MPX Impact

GORE-TEX Pro sailing jacket and trousers to provide the ultimate o shore protection using the latest D3O technology. The MPX Impact kit not only helps protect against impact injuries and abrasions but also provides resistance, comfort and dexterity of movement. Built for maximum performance against the impact of rigorous o shore racing, this GORE-TEX Pro sailing kit includes bespoke D3O pads using “the most advanced impact protection material in the world”. The technology allows a low profile, lightweight, flexible pad that is waterproof without impacting the fabric’s breathable properties. D3O is used in the most demanding situations – from US Special Forces combat helmets to Formula 1 cars and MotoGP racing suits.

Sizes: S-XXL

Colour: Black

MPX Gore-Tex Pro Impact Jacket: £900

MPX Gore-Tex Pro Impact Trousers: £800 www.musto.com

Image: Marin LE ROUX - polaRYSE

It’s what’s under the surface that counts

Our fouling control products not only protect your hull from fouling, they’re also designed to protect against the spread of invasive species, safeguarding local waters when exploring new regions, helping you to make a difference in looking after the waters that provide you with enjoyment and peace of mind.

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Like you, we have a passion for boating; providing owners, captains, and builders, the hull protection they deserve. You can expect only the best from every International® yacht paint product, which not only safeguards your boat, but also provides you with peace of mind and confidence to explore your world.

Relentless performance for every yacht, everywhere, every time.

international-yachtpaint.com

NEW COMPETITION OUTBOARD

“Mercury

“We

The

length. Top speed is about 75mph on the straightaway sections of the course. The class is intended for young racers starting out in enclosed tunnel boats before stepping up to faster Formula 2 and Formula 1 boats.

TOHATSU ELECTRIC OUTBOARD

COX MARINE

The latest addition to the Cox Marine product line-up is a 350hp variant of their flagship V8 outboard. The British outboard manufacturer Cox Marine was cofounded by David Cox, who firmly believed that the days of “unsafe gasoline outboards” were numbered.

Gavin Wesson, CEO of Cox Marine, said: “Believing there had to be a better way was the thought that inspired our pioneering journey to develop a lightweight outboard powered by alternative fuel options to gasoline that meant not having to compromise on what is important. The launch of our first product, the Cox Marine 300 – a 4.4 litre, twin-turbo, 300hp V8, made that vision a reality. Deciding to design our outboard from a blank sheet of paper allowed us to push ourselves ahead, creating a platform that enables further growth, development and, more importantly, serious power!”

Tohatsu’s 4.0kW electric outboard is estimated to release in 2025 and will be designed to produce similar acceleration as a Tohatsu four-stroke 8hp outboard.

It is planned to be offered in tiller or remote steering with an option of 15-inch short shaft, 20-inch long shaft and 25-inch ultra-long shaft for a variety of boat types.

It will be designed and developed to be as simple as possible for user-friendly operation.

Tiller model configuration includes shift and throttle grip for intuitive operation. An LED indicator on the front of the cowling shows remaining battery level and warning alerts, and a full-colour LCD built-in to the tiller handle provides battery level, running speed and remaining distance and hours.

Tohatsu Corporation is collaborating with Ilmor Marine; the collaboration centres around the creation of a ‘premier’ line of electric products beginning with the 6kW outboard (pictured).

Isami Hyuga, president of Tohatsu Corporation, said: “Our electric propulsion series will kick off with the 6.0kW electric outboard this year with a partnership with Ilmor Marine. The 4.0kW electric outboard will follow in 2025.”

With that, Cox Marine has introduced the Cox Marine 350 diesel outboard, the latest in the V8 family.

In further news, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is repowering one of its patrol boats (pictured) with a new 300hp variant of Cox Marine’s flagship V8 diesel outboard. The department is working with Cox Marine’s East Coast distributor, Ring Power Cox Marine, on the project.

“The use of diesel engines has significantly increased our fuel economy and allows us to continue our commitment and dedication to keeping our community safe,” said Sergeant Travis O’Neal of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Image:

Solent based dinghy sailor David Henshall is a well known writer and speaker on topics covering the rich heritage of all aspects of leisure boating.

FAREWELL SOUTHAMPTON

It is going to be another busy year in Southampton for cruise ships, but during the World Wars it was passengers of a different kind who were making their way through the port in huge numbers, bidding farewell to the maritime city.

At the very start of the 20th century Great Britain was at war with the Boers, with soldiers being loaded onto troopships for the long journey to South Africa

In a measure of how quickly our maritime landscape can change, nowadays on most Saturdays there is a free to view spectacle on offer to leisure boaters on the South Coast. From late afternoon onwards, a mighty procession of mega cruise ships departs from the Cruise Terminal, to make their way out into the Solent, then around the Isle of Wight to head out into the Channel and away, with those heading west slowing so that the passengers tucking into their dinner can enjoy the splendours of the south side of the island as a backdrop. With an annual turnover of two million plus passengers passing through the port, Southampton can rightly claim to be the ‘Cruise Capital’ of the UK, and probably the second busiest in all of Europe.

However, as the passengers gaze at the departing UK shoreline, how many are sparing a thought for those who have travelled this way before them, many sadly setting out on what would be a one-way trip? After all, the city has a very long heritage when it comes to sending soldiers off to war, as back in 1346, King Edward III had shipped his troops from Southampton to France, where in the August they effectively routed the French at the Battle of Crécy. Southampton’s almost unique location, with double tides and a safe and easily defendable distance from the open sea, made it an obvious departure point for the military, and during the Indian mutiny and Boer Wars the local populations became used to the sight of columns of troops marching through the streets on their way to battles far away.

SHIPPING OF TROOPS

In numerical terms, though, this was nothing when compared with what was to come. Even before the outbreak of war in 1914 the planners had run logistic exercises involving the shipping of troops through the port, so when the fighting finally started the throughput quickly reached quite an extraordinary

years earlier,

In the heart of the Southampton Boat Show site is the American Wall. This is so poignant as it was not erected after the event, but by young men, already halfway around the world away from home, who must have known what an uncertain fate awaited them just across the Channel

A real case of ‘G.I. Joe’ - except in this case it is Joe Jones from New York. Post D-Day the flow of troops through Southampton heading for the front would continue up until VE Day

level. The plan had been to deliver the troops by train direct to the quayside, with an incredible expectation that six trainloads an hour could be handled. By later in the war the operation had become so slick that at peak times eight trains could be disembarked and moved on in an hour, with the soldiers then being loaded onto troopships for passage to France.

Sadly, there would also be a corresponding stream of hospital ships coming back into Southampton, where the wounded could be loaded back onto trains for the short journey to the massive military hospital at Netley (the hospital had its own pier, but having been built in the mid-Victorian era, there was insufficient depth at the pierhead to take 20th century ships).

SECOND WORLD WAR

As a global empire, Great Britain was dependent on the capabilities of its ports to handle incoming goods, which made them prime targets in the early part of the Second World War. Southampton might have been safe from an attack from the sea, but attacks from the air were a different matter, with the city being an easy to reach destination from the new airfield in Northern France.

It was also easy to find as although the countryside was blacked out Southampton Water, easily visible from the air, even at night, aimed like an arrow straight into the heart of the docks and surrounding areas. The area was hit no less than 57 times, with two raids in late 1940 causing huge damage, but already the nature of the war was changing.

A year on and the Americans would join the conflict and Southampton took on a new importance as a key hub, not only for bringing the much-needed materials of war in, but as a springboard for striking back into Europe when the time was right.

As America swung its industrial might behind the conflict, the flow of war goods into the UK increased dramatically to the point that the US started to take on an ever-greater control over the domestic docks. Southampton had always been seen as playing a key role, and now it was the busiest American port in the UK, both in terms of materials – and of men!

BUSIER THAN EVER

The Allies now had their sights firmly set on making a landing somewhere on the French Coast and as plans for Operation Overlord, which would become ‘D-Day’, took on an ever great importance, Southampton became even busier. The troopships would arrive and unload their human cargo, many to holding camps dotted along the South Coast.

One such ship was the ‘Grey Ghost’, the Queen Mary, who in her Cunard days had operated from Southampton; now she was breaking records for the largest number of people on a single boat with nearly 16,000 troops and more than 900 crew onboard. In badly blitzed Southampton, space was at a premium, so an early HQ was placed in a High Street sweet shop, while overall command operated from an office in the city’s Civic Centre. So great was the throughput of men coming in from the US that in October 1944, Private Paul Shimner would be feted in a ceremony as the ‘Millionth Yank’ to step onto the quayside. The numbers are even more incredible when less than four months later, the ceremony would be repeated, this time for the ‘Two millionth Yank’!

CHANNEL CROSSING

Then, as D-Day approached, it was all about embarking the men onto the landing craft that would make the uncomfortable Channel crossing, in rough weather, before disgorging the troops onto the beaches of Normandy. Although stringent security plans had been put in place few of the troops waiting to leave would have been in any doubt as to what they were expected to do and the challenges they would soon be facing. Many of the US troops had never been abroad before and to counter the feelings of being homesick some had taken on pet dogs for company.

These were now fostered out to friendly local families, whilst other departing soldiers found the time to scratch their names and messages into the soft bricks that made up a wall in the docks. They were then loaded onto boats to start their journey, but unlike the cruise passengers of today, rather than seeing the green expanses of Weston and Netley on the port hand side, they would have passed an unbroken row of Mulberry Harbour units that were waiting to make their own journey over to France.

How all these huge sections of floating dockside had been made and the role they would play is a story all in itself, but that is for another issue, for now our invasion forces are leaving the sheltered waters of home and heading off to a very uncertain future.

The iconic landmark of Southampton’s Town Quay was a departure point for hundreds of thousands of US troops, crammed with all their equipment onto Landing Craft

324

the Pilgrim Father’s had embarked at Southampton, to head off to create a better life in the ‘New World’. It is a wonderfully fitting addition to the Mayflower Memorial for the second tablet to be added, in memory of the two million plus men (and women) of the USA who, having come to these shores, would also depart again - on their way to war

Image: The Marine Archaeology Trust

MY FAVOURITE HARBOUR…

In this new occasional series Cruising Association members share stories of their favourite harbours, kicking off this month with Fiona Hampton-Matthews’ love of Ardfern on the west coast of Scotland.

and

Even before the Covid pandemic Simon and I had planned to spend 2021 on the west coast of Scotland, probably as a start to a full circumnavigation of Great Britain. This was never going to be a quick dash round, rather a series of mainly day passages aboard our Sirius 35DS Zilbern. We set off from Plymouth in April and immediately got caught by strong winds and were stuck in Falmouth for a week. We called at 16 ports before arriving at Troon Yacht Haven in late June, our base for the next 12 months. We were finally ready to sample the delights of this spectacular cruising ground.

We previously chartered boats from Largs and Crinan back in the 1990s but had also explored by car and bicycle, so had some knowledge of the area. A series of Zoom seminars by the Celtic section also reminded us of the spectacular scenery and plentiful anchorages available, especially north and west of Crinan.

After a trip home for a wedding we transited the Crinan Canal in early August to start exploring. After going back south again for a family christening, unforeseen family complications conspired against us and we were unable to get back north until the end of August and then only for three days. We were unsure when we would be able to get back for more exploration so looked for a marina base which had some flexibility as to the duration of our stay.

It also needed to be only a day sail from Crinan for our return trip in case the weather turned unsettled in September. A phone call a few days before we travelled and Ardfern came up trumps. They did not have a walk ashore berth, but we could moor on their remote breakwater pontoon, a few minutes row across the harbour, and stay as long as needed.

Location and approach

Ardfern is about 55nm from the Mull of Kintyre, 25nm from Oban and 6nm from Crinan. The approach demands a passage through at least some part of the Sound of Jura. This does require some tidal planning as, even though there is little more than 2m range, a large volume of water pours north on the flood through narrow channels between the numerous islands and, of course, back again on the ebb. This can create tidal streams of up to 8 knots; remember you are not far from the notorious Gulf of Corryvreckan!

If approaching Ardfern from the north the key constraint is Dorus Mor, a deep channel about 3 cables wide where streams of 5 knots are not uncommon on both flood and ebb. The undulating seabed and restricted width between Craignish Point and the island of Garbh Rèisa creates some complex whirlpools, overfalls and eddies. The CCC Sailing Directions give very helpful details on planning this passage but describe the timing of

the turn of the tide “more of an art than a science” as it frequently varies. There is also a warning of strong wind against tide situations needing careful consideration of the likely sea state.

Once in Loch Craignish there is a wide main fairway, albeit with relatively shallow depths in places dropping to 5m. The various islands in the loch neatly line up in a NE/SW direction and there is reasonable depth until close inshore. There are several routes around the islands to get to Ardfern Yacht Centre in the NW corner and a number of anchorages, but at the top of the loch much of the space is taken up by moorings. Take care to navigate inside the isolated and unlit Sgeir Dhubh in the final approach, the top of which is always visible but with significant shoals to the west.

The final marina approach is between Eilean Mhic Chrion and a breakwater pontoon off Eilean Inshaig. It is clearly marked by a port hand buoy Fl R 3s and a starboard hand buoy on the pontoon Fl G 3s which also has a green radar reflector. Flashing amber beacons also mark the breakwater pontoon.

History

The Craignish peninsular, as for much of Argyll, has a very high concentration of Iron Age remains. Celtic missionaries lived on the peninsula in the seventh century, kinsmen of St Columba. The Vikings visited between the eighth and 11th centuries and fought many battles with the native Scots. The now ruined chapel at Kilvaree and earliest parts of Craignish Castle date from these times.

The area is recorded under the ownership of the Campbells of Craignish around 1100, but large areas in the northern section were gradually sold off to

the McDougalls of Lunga in the 19th century. The main occupation was farming, and cattle kept on the adjacent islands were landed and driven along the peninsular to market. Several drovers’ inns appeared in the 17th century and the settlement and original boatyard at Ardfern developed to support this. Ardfern (Gaelic: Aird Fheàrna) means the Headland of Alder-trees or Alder Point.

Ardfern Yacht Centre has existed as a working boatyard since the 1970s, originally developed by the Laird of Lunga to attract the increasing number of cruising yachtsmen. It was used by the puffers connecting the isolated islands and villages in this area and transporting cattle. In 1979 the yard and adjacent land was purchased from the local laird by Yorkshire farmer and keen sailor Robin Baker, and the family still own the business. The services on offer have gradually developed since then; their winter project for 2021/2 was a complete re-build of the facilities block.

Loch Craignish has doubled as Yugoslavia when it was used to film the speed boat and helicopter chase in the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love with Sean Connery escaping the clutches of SPECTRE.

The pontoons at Ardfern

Fiona

Simon Hampton-Matthews onboard Zilbern

The way in and out of the Yacht Centre, past the breakwater pontoon

Images: Simon Hampton-Matthews

“Loch Craignish has doubled as Yugoslavia when it was used to film the speed boat and helicopter chase in the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love with Sean Connery escaping the clutches of SPECTRE”

Ardfern as a base

We liked Ardfern for many reasons. It is a small (by south coast standards) marina surrounded by hills in a lovely village setting. It is well sheltered, although we understand it can be a little ‘entertaining’ in strong NE winds which funnel down the valley of the Barbreck River and Glen Domhain. However, we spoke to several berth holders who happily leave their boats afloat here all year. The access is easy by boat and there is usually space for visitors, although not always on a walk-ashore berth.

The Yacht Centre team are very friendly and helpful and have a well-stocked chandlery. The office is open seven days a week but shuts at 5pm. Diesel and gas are available during office hours. The facilities block was looking a bit tired when we visited in 2021 but, as mentioned, has now been rebuilt and is very luxurious!

The boatyard offers full repair and maintenance facilities. We had an annoying engine rattle, the source of which could not be identified. After emptying both cockpit lockers the Ardfern team finally located a broken saildrive bracket which they managed to extract, repair and replace while Zilbern remained afloat, saving us the cost of a lift out.

The adjacent village is quite extensive with a population of more than 350 residents and has an excellent village shop which stocks local produce, fresh vegetables, fresh bread, alcohol etc as well as staple items. It is open every day but with slightly reduced hours on Sunday and is also a Post Office.

West Coast Motors operate the local bus service between Ardrishaig and Oban Railway Station which stops outside Ardfern Village school five times a day during school term time, but only three times a day during the holidays and twice on Saturdays.

There is a café in the village, although we never managed to sample its delights, and of course the fantastic Galley of Lorne Inn, one of the original

drovers’ inns, is a short walk from the Yacht Centre. We only ate here twice but it has an extensive and delicious menu and the team are very welcoming. The current owners moved here from Coventry in 2006 and have made it a very special place.

So, if you are exploring the west coast of Scotland, make time to visit Ardfern... but ring first to make sure they have space for you! If you want to see what it looks like before you go, you can watch an Ardfern video at sailscotland.co.uk/plan/aerial-guides

Fiona Hampton-Matthews

Fiona and Simon Hampton-Matthews started sailing in 1992 on a Westerley Knosort. They have owned a Seamaster 925, a Sirius-Werft 32DS deck saloon and currently have a Sirius 35DS. They have sailed in the West Country, Brittany, the Netherlands, Germany, Wales and the west of Scotland with their ship’s cat, Pyat. They joined the CA in 2012 and have helped with South West and Channel Section events. Simon is a member of the CA Council and of the CA Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS).

The CA was founded in 1908 specifically to meet the needs of cruising sailors and provides services, information, help and advice to thousands of members worldwide. For more information visit www.theca.org.uk.

Ardfern Yacht Centre and fuel berth

Fiona and Simon’s cat, Pyat, enjoying the view while sailing up Loch Craignish

The Galley of Lorne Inn is a short walk from the Yacht Centre

Moorings on Loch Craignish

Summer Cruising with

CRUISING GUIDE: SALCOMBE

As the days lengthen and the boating season gets underway, we have joined forces with Ancasta International Boat Sales to bring you a series of cruising guides to inspire your on-water adventures this summer. First up is Salcombe in Devon with Ancasta’s local broker Andy Christie sharing his favourite places to explore.

Salcombe and the South Hams is a beautiful part of the UK with a dramatic yet stunning coastline.

The area provides many sheltered anchorages and areas to explore, creating a popular playground for sailing yachts, powerboats and RIBs.

A very picturesque harbour steeped in history, Salcombe is approximately 15nm from Dartmouth and forms the entrance to the Kingsbridge Estuary.

On shore, you will find a charming high street with artisan shops and well-known nautical brands. Plus, do not miss the Salcombe Dairy to indulge in locally made frozen treats and take a coastal walk to enjoy far-reaching sea views.

Salcombe / Kingsbridge Estuary

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Salcombe-Kingsbridge is a Ria estuary which means it has little freshwater, high salinity levels and a large tidal range. As a result, its intertidal rocky foreshores, seagrass beds, mudflats and salt marshes are home to many marine plants and animals, which are rarely seen in estuaries elsewhere.

This makes it an incredibly beautiful and interesting area to explore both onshore and by boat. Here we have included a few favourite spots to visit.

The Bag

Salcombe does not have a marina, so many visiting yachts head further up the river in an area known as The Bag.

Tucked behind Snapes Point, it is a peaceful spot compared to the busy harbour where you can pick up one of the many Harbour Authority moorings, or book a spot on the deepwater visitors’ pontoons. It is ideal for exploring the Kingsbridge Estuary.

Frogmore Creek

A trip up the north-east tributary of Kingsbridge Estuary will lead you to the tranquil village of Frogmore. This hidden little nook in the South Hams countryside is very sheltered, and anchoring is possible for shallow draft boats. Stretch your legs with a wander along the water’s edge towards West Charleton before grabbing a refreshing pint in the local Globe Inn.

Southpool Creek

At the top of this peaceful tidal creek is the idyllic village of South Pool. At high tide, it is just a short cruise from Salcombe. While you are there, a visit to the Millbrook Inn is highly recommended; it is a hidden gem for enjoying delicious pub grub and local ale in the sunshine or in front of the fire in the cooler months.

Sunny Cove

Located close to the entrance of Salcombe Harbour, Sunny Cove (pictured below) boasts a glistening golden sand beach lapped by crystalclear turquoise waters. It is easy to spend an afternoon unwinding in this charming bay; diving in for a refreshing swim or jumping in the tender to enjoy a sunset BBQ ashore.

South West Coast Path

By following the undulating South West Coast Path from East Portlemouth you will discover spectacular views over Mill Bay Beach and across the water to Salcombe. Continue to the mouth of the estuary and you will pass Sunny Cove where vistas towards North Sands and South Sands can be enjoyed before ascending to the top of the cli s near Gara Rock.

Near to Salcombe

Bantham Beach

Hope Cove Heading west and following the headland along Bolberry Down you will reach the sandy nook of Hope Cove where you can swim in beautifully clear water or explore the rugged coastline, enjoying views of the anchorage below. The Lobster Pod is on hand to indulge in fresh seafood platters, or delicious pub grub is abundant in the nearby Hope & Anchor.

South Milton Beach

Discover soft sandy beaches, stunning scenery and rare wildlife at Milton Sands. Set within another AONB, the nearby wetlands are also an area of Special Scientific Interest and this wildlife rich landscape accommodates migrating birds, rare butterflies and much more.

Kingsbridge

If your vessel has a shallow draft vessel, a trip to Kingsbridge is possible on a high tide. Alternatively, you can catch the passenger ferry and enjoy a relaxing 35-minute cruise along the estuary before whiling away the afternoon browsing the local shops or savouring a delicious lunch on the sunny quayside terrace of the Crabshell Inn.

Join us again next month when we will be Summer Cruising in the Solent.

At low tide, the vast expanse of sand at Bantham Beach provides plenty of space for seaside fun, and rock pools will keep young crew entertained all afternoon. If the swell is up, this is a good surf spot or, on a calm day, is ideal for paddleboarding up the River Avon. Further inland, scenic footpaths will lead you along the craggy coastline, and the Sloop Inn will welcome you in for some hearty pub grub.

Erme Estuary

Mothecombe Beach, Coastguards Beach and Wonwell Beach at the entrance to Erme Estuary certainly have the wow factor. Privately owned and maintained by the Flete Estate, these idyllic stretches of sand are a hot spot for wildlife, including cormorants, herons and kingfishers.

With o ces around the UK coastline

across Europe, Ancasta o ers full brokerage, new boat sales, comprehensive aftercare services and help with local berthing. Whether you want to buy or sell a boat, Ancasta has extensive yacht sales know-how and experience coupled with a deep understanding of the industry.

Find out more: ancasta.com

Frogmore Creek

PREPARING YOUR DINGHY

The days are getting longer which means it is time to get your sailing dinghy ready for the new season. This pre-season checklist will help you make sure your boat is in good condition...

Your boat, spars, sails and other equipment will all need a good check over to identify any problems, particularly if the boat has not been sailed over the winter months. Allow yourself plenty of time to do this ahead of your first launch so you are not in a rush.

Start with the hull. Give it a good wash down to clean o any muck that has built up over the o -season; fresh water and a scrubbing brush should su ce; for stubborn dirt use marine specific cleaner that is environmentally friendly.

Now you have a sparkling clean hull, give it a close inspection, paying particular attention to joins and areas like the centreboard casing. While fibreglass and rotomoulded hulls are unlikely to have sustained any substantial direct damage while the boat has been left, you may spot small scrapes and scratches from last season that will need attention. Your boat manufacturer or class association will likely be able to advise on a DIY fix.

correctly and kept reasonably dry are unlikely to throw up any big surprises.

Remember to feel inside buoyancy tanks to check they have not been harbouring any unwanted moisture –or creatures!

Pay close attention to fixtures and fittings, everything from cleats to rudder pintels; check they are secure and functional. Run blocks through with plenty of fresh water and check they run smoothly.

FURTHER CHECKS

Next, consider the sheets and halyards. Replace any showing signs of wear and tear to avoid risking a breakage on the water. Do not forget things like toestrap adjustments and spinnaker system elastics; if these show any signs of perishing then replace straightaway. Inspect your boat’s mast and boom. If the rig has been left in situ over the winter, take a few minutes to drop it so you can have a thorough check of stays, cleats and blocks. Sluice fresh water

down the track and through any fittings to wash away grit and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Hopefully you have stored your sails in a safe, dry place for the winter out of reach of small animals who like to nest in them! Find a large, dry space to spread your sails out and go over inch by inch looking for rips that need repair or cha age, which is especially common around the bolt rope. Hoisting them is also a good idea, if nothing else, to refamiliarise yourself with the set-up.

NOT FORGETTING…

Thoughts turn to getting your boat to the water, and trolley wheels are often a big casualty of winter neglect, so check if they are correctly inflated and assess the trolley frame itself for any rust patches that may cause issues.

Likewise, if you have a road trailer, this needs a thorough check to ensure it is road legal, including a correctly lit trailer-board with a registration plate that must correspond to the towing vehicle.

Last but not least, has your cover withstood the winter? Pooling rainwater can cause some fabrics to stretch,

“Hopefully you have stored your sails in a safe, dry place for the winter out of reach of small animals who like to nest in them”

resulting in a poor fit, so consider ordering a replacement if necessary so you can be sure your boat is protected from the elements for the season ahead.

Next Month: are you prepared for the new season?

Wooden hulls can require more specialist care if you spot damage, but providing they have been stored WATERSPORTS

It is important to make sure your dinghy is ready for the season ahead!

Images: www.harbourviewphotography.com

SELL YOUR

Selling your boat shouldn’t be a stormy journey. Ditch the stress and navigate smooth sailing with the combined power of Boatshed.com and All at Sea! We seamlessly blend print’s reach with cutting-edge technology to expose your vessel to millions of passionate boaters, ensuring a swift and successful sale.

Ready to set sail for a smooth, swift sale? Let’s embark on your success journey with our 5-step process: scan the code to get started

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■ Data-Driven Insights: 25 years of market data, 32,000 listings analyzed, and expert knowledge ensure your boat gets the perfect price.

■ Professional Photos & Videos: Experienced photographers and our user-friendly app capture every detail and tell your boat’s story in stunning visuals.

■ Multi-Platform Exposure: YachtWorld, top boat websites, All at Sea print distribution, and 80+ global locations - maximum reach guaranteed.

AI-Powered Buyer Matching:

■ Smart Data Matching: Our unique technology connects your boat with ideal buyers based on user behavior and preferences.

■ Targeted Outreach: We proactively reach out to qualified clients saving you time and generating genuine interest.

■ Pre-Qualified Viewings: Only serious, vetted buyers view your boat, ensuring valuable time is spent efficiently.

BOAT WITH

BRITAIN’S MOST READWATERFRONT N EWSPAPER

Streamlined Selling Process: Live traffic data, price-reduction plans, and insights keep you informed every step of the way.

■ Dedicated Support: From listing to closing, our experienced team guides you through the process.

■ Real-Time Feedback: Stay up-todate on buyer interest and adjust your strategy for optimal results.

Smooth Negotiation & Closing:

■ Expert Brokerage: Skillful negotiation and contract management ensure a smooth and efficient sale.

■ Independent Survey Coordination: We facilitate unbiased assessments with qualified third-party surveyors.

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25 Years of Proven Success:

■ Twice as Fast as the Industry Average: Our boats sell in just 90 days on average, twice as fast as the competition.

■ Experience & Expertise: Our team of boat sales experts delivers reliable guidance and proven results.

WE SOLD WITH BOATSHED

Boatshed Portsmouth was recommended by a friend who had recently sold his boat. It was our first experience of selling and Sam guided us patiently and professionally, with excellent advice and communications throughout. She went above and beyond... I am very grateful to her.

Thank you Sam. John

(Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2)

It was a pleasure buying my boat through Boatshed Brighton, an honest broker who provided helpful advice, regular updates and good communication throughout the process, plus a follow-up to advise the boat was secure following some bad weather post sale while I was away.

Many thanks,

Ben(Bavaria 32)

Many thanks for selling our boat. Thank you for your professional, patient, upbeat approach. I was amazed at the number of hits on the website and viewings those prompted. Your ad was spectacular with excellent photos, description and walk-through video. Your negotiation skills and calm approach won the day.

Derek (Lagoon 440)

OUT & ABOUT

MARCH

March onwards

The D-Day Story (museum)

Telling the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth theddaystory.com/d-day-80

Until 3 November

The Art of Buckler’s Hard Buckler’s Hard, Hampshire bucklershard.co.uk

Until 1 December

Women of the RNLI National Maritime Museum www.rmg.co.uk

29 March

Good Friday Hot X Buns Royal Quays Marina North Shields www.boatfolk.co.uk

29 – 31 March Easter Treasure Hunt St. Katharine Docks, London www.skdocks.co.uk

29 March – 1 April

RCTA Linslade Easter Floating Market Leighton Buzzard www.rcta.org.uk

29 March – 1 April

RCTA Gt. Haywood Easter Floating Market Trent & Mersey Canal towpath www.rcta.org.uk

29 March – 1 April

Easter Historic Boat Gathering National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

29 March – 6 April

Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca Bay of Palma www.trofeoprincesasofia.org

30 March

The Boat Race www.theboatrace.org

31 March

Paddle Powered Easter Egg Hunt Portland Marina Dorset www.boatfolk.co.uk

APRIL

1 – 7 April

BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival British Virgin Islands bvispringregatta.org

3 – 7 April

International Multihull Show La Grande Motte France www.multicoque-online.com

6 April

Breakfast Onboard! Portland Marina Dorset www.boatfolk.co.uk

12 - 14 April

Sailing Champions League Berliner Yacht-Club Berlin Germany sailing-championsleague.com

12 - 14 April

Dorset Boat Show Portland Marina Dorset www.dorsetboatshow.co.uk

13 April

Waterway Restoration Conference 2024 Northampton waterways.org.uk

13 April

Sea Angling Classic Qualifier Lymington Yacht Haven Lymington Hampshire www.seaanglingclassic.com

13 April

Cropredy Waterside Marina Open Day Banbury, Oxfordshire www.aquavista.com

13 April

The Great British Dog Walk Riverside walk from Buckler’s Hard to Beaulieu bucklershard.co.uk

14 April

Norfolk Boat Jumble Norfolk Showground Norwich www.rotaevents.co.uk

17 – 22 April

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua antiguaclassics.com

19 – 20 April

RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Royal Southern Yacht Club Hamble rs21ukclass.org

YOUR GUIDE TO APRIL TO JUNE’S BOATING EVENTS

OVER EVENTS!140

19 – 21 April

Ocean Village Marina Southampton, Hampshire www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/events/boatshow-tickets

20 April

Beaumaris RNLI Dinner

Celebrating 200 Years of the RNLI Canolfan Beaumaris Beaumaris, Anglesey www.canolfanbeaumaris.org.uk

20 April

Let’s Meet & Fish Yacht Haven Quay Breakwater Road, Plymouth www.seaanglingclassic.com

20 – 21 April

RCTA Willington Floating Market Trent & Mersey Canal ww.rcta.org.uk

20 – 27 April

27 April – 3 May

Antigua Sailing Week English Harbour Antigua sailingweek.com

28 April

The Transat CIC  Lorient – New York www.thetransat.com

28 April

North Essex Boat Show and Jumble Horsley Cross Essex www.facebook.com/ Boatjumblenorthessex

28 April

Northern Boat Jumble Moss Edge Farm Cockerham, Lancaster www.boatjumbleassociation.co.uk

29 April – 2 May

United Kingdom Firefighters Sailing Championship The Solent www.ukfsc.org.uk

4 May

Hog Roast & Meet the Crew Weymouth Marina Dorset www.boatfolk.co.uk

4 May

Horning Boat Show Norfolk www.horningboatshow.com

4 – 5 May

Bermuda SailGP Bermuda sailgp.com

4 – 6 May

Brixham Pirate Festival Brixham, Devon www.brixhampiratesfestival.com

4 – 6 May

Norbury Canal Festival Norbury Junction Norbury Sta ordshire www.facebook.com/norburyfestival

4 – 6 May

French Olympic Week Port of Hyeres, France sof. voile.fr

23 April

Week

St George’s Day Brunch Royal Quays Marina, North Shields www.boatfolk.co.uk

25 – 28 April

Palma International Boat Show Port Vell – Port of Palma palmainternationalboatshow.com

27 April

Portishead Marina Season Opener BBQ Portishead, North Somerset www.boatfolk.co.uk

27 April

Llanda Cathedral Thanksgiving Service A service of thanksgiving for the RNLI Llanda Cathedral, Cardi www.llanda cathedral.org.uk

27 April

Let’s Meet & Fish Port Solent Marina Port Solent, Portsmouth www.seaanglingclassic.com

27 – 28 April

RCTA Startops Floating Market at Marsworth Grand Union canal towpath at Marsworth Reservoir ww.rcta.org.uk

MAY

3 May Clipper Round the World The USA Coast-to-Coast Leg Seattle, USA www.clipperroundtheworld.com

3 – 4 May

Electrika Brinklow Waterside & Marina Warwickshire electrika.uk

3 – 5 May

Dieppe Dash English Channel www.dieppedash.com

3 – 6 May

St Richard’s Canal Festival Vines Park, Droitwich Spa Worcestershire www.strichardsfestival.co.uk

4 May

Devon Boat Jumble Newton Abbot Racecourse simon@compassevents.co.uk

4 May

ASC Portland Open Day

Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre WPNSA

Osprey Quay Portland, Dorset andrewsimpsoncentres.org

IWA Canalway Cavalcade Little Venice London canalway.cavalcade@team. waterways.org.uk

4 – 6 May

Barclays Jersey Boat Show Channel Islands www.jerseyboatshow.com

4 – 6 May

RCTA Berkhamsted May Day Floating Market Berkhamsted Hertfordshire www.rcta.org.uk

4 – 6 May

RCTA Burton on Trent May Day Floating Market Burton on Trent, Sta s www.rcta.org.uk

5 May

Salcombe Crabfest Salcombe, Devon salcombecrabfest.co.uk

5 May

OSTAR/TWOSTAR Plymouth, Devon rwyc.org/oceanic-racing

6 May

MayDay Safety Day Portland Marina Dorset www.boatfolk.co.uk

8 May

Fund Britain’s Waterways –Westminster Campaign Cruise CampaignCruise@outlook.com

11 May

Let’s Meet & Fish Southsea Marina, Portsmouth www.seaanglingclassic.com

11 May

ASC Portsmouth Open Day Portsmouth, Hampshire andrewsimpsoncentres.org

11 – 12 May

E1 World Championship, Venice E1series.com

12 May

Two Handed & Crewed Round Britain & Ireland Yacht Race, Plymouth, Devon rwyc.org

12 May

Solent Boat Jumble Royal Victoria Country Park, Southampton boat-jumbles.co.uk

13 May

Finishing the Dream Geo Holt’s Wetwheels Charity Challenge, St. Katharine Dock finishingthedream.co.uk

14 May

Weymouth Lifeboat Parade of Sail Celebrating RNLI’s 200th Birthday Weymouth Harbour rnli.org

16 – 19 May

British Motor Yacht Show  Premier Swanwick Marina, Southampton www.britishmotoryachtshow.com

17 May

Scottish Islands Peak Race Oban – Troon www.scottishislandspeaksrace.com

17 May

RNLI Concert Wakefield Cathedral Celebrating the RNLI’s bicentenary Wakefield Cathedral, West Yorkshire Tickets: shorturl.at/klpqR

17 - 19 May

RS Sailing 30th Anniversary Regatta  Hayling Island Sailing Club, Hampshire www.rssailing.com

17 – 19 May

RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Hayling Island Sailing Club, Hampshire rs21ukclass.org

17 – 19 May

BoatLife Fishing Championship Conwy, Wales boatlifefishing.com

17 – 19 May

Cowes Spring Classics Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club cowesspringclassics.com

17 – 26 May

Steering the Course Global women’s sailing festival www.sailing.org

18 May

ASC Reading Open Day Berkshire andrewsimpsoncentres.org

18 May

Berth Holder Party East Cowes Marina www.boatfolk.co.uk

18 - 19 May

Poole Lifeboat Festival RNLI College Poole, Dorset rnli.org

18 – 19 May

Royal Southern Summer Series North Sails May Regatta Royal Southern Yacht Club, Southampton royal-southern.co.uk/summer-series

18 – 19 May

Bamburgh Castle RNLI Festival Bamburgh Castle Northumberland rnli.org

18 – 19 May

Batchworth Boat Rally Grand Union Canal Rickmansworth, Herts

18 – 19 May

The Dorset Boat Show by boatpoint

12 – 14 April at Portland Marina

Taking place on the 12 – 14 April, this on-the-water show at Portland Marina is your opportunity to experience some of the industry’s favourite up-and-coming brands and discover your perfect boat ready for the start of the boating season. With a line-up of boats from Swedish brand Ryds, Jeanneau and the UK premier of the brand

new Quarken 35 Cabin hailing from Finland it is set to be a great show. Plus, with a carefully curated selection of brokerage boats and the o cial launch of Beyonder Subscription boating in Portland Marina there is something for everyone at The Dorset Boat Show.

www.boatpoint.co.uk/blog/dorset-boat-showby-boatpoint

National Trailboat Festival Moira Furnace, Ashby Canal Leicestershire www.moiracanalfestival.com

25 – 26 May

16th - 19th May

PREMIER MARINAS SWANWICK SEE PAGE 9

24 – 27 May

RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Tarbert, Loch Fyne rs21ukclass.org

24 – 27 May

Yarmouth Sea Songs Festival Yarmouth, Isle of Wight Facebook: Yarmouth Sea Songs and Shanties

24 – 27 May

Scottish Series Tarbert, Loch Fyne www.scottishseries.co.uk

25 May

Portishead Shanty Festival Portishead Marina North Somerset www.boatfolk.co.uk

25 – 26 May

Dunkirks at the Docks Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Commemorative Cruise (as part of its Commemorative Cruise, the ADLS fleet will arrive at St Katharine Docks on 23 May) www.skdocks.co.uk

25 – 26 May

World Boating Day worldboatingday.com

Shuttleworth D-Day Weekend Bedfordshire www.shuttleworth.org

25 - 26 May

Port Rush Raft Race Portrush Yacht Club and the RNLI Northern Ireland portrushyachtclub.com

25 – 26 May

Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta Brixham, Devon brixhamheritageregatta.uk

25 – 26 May

Sea Angling Classic Qualifier Clashwhannon Drummore Stranraer www.seaanglingclassic.com

25 – 27 May

Crick Boat Show Crick Marina Crick, Northamptonshire www.crickboatshow.com

25 – 27 May

RCTA Boxmoor Floating Market Grand Union Canal towpath Hertfordshire www.rcta.org.uk

25 – 27 May

International Paint Poole Regatta  Poole, Dorset pooleregatta.co.uk

26 May

RNLI 200 Inshore Lifeboat Centre Open Day

The Inshore Lifeboat Centre, East Cowes rnli.org

27 May – 2 June

Allianz Regatta World Cup Series, The Netherlands allianzregatta.org

29 May

New York-Vendée - Les Sables d’Olonne www.imoca.org

31 May – 2 June

Contessa Regatta

Royal Solent Yacht Club www.royalsolent.org

31 May – 2 June

X Yachts Solent Cup Royal Southern Yacht Club www.x-yachts.com

31 May – 2 June

The Thames Valley Boat Show MDL Penton Hook Marina Chertsey, Surrey www.thamesvalley-boatshow.co.uk

JUNE

1 June

Berth Holder Party

Royal Dorset Yacht Club Weymouth Marina, Dorset www.boatfolk.co.uk

1 June

RNLI Fleetwood Wreck Trek Walk out 3.6 miles from Marine Hall across the sea to the old Wyre Light Lighthouse Fleetwood, Lancashire www.facebook.com/ fleetwood.lifeboat

1 June

Let’s Meet & Fish Gosport Marina Mumby Road, Gosport www.seaanglingclassic.com

1 – 2 June

Canada SailGP Halifax, Canada sailgp.com

1 – 2 June

Etruria Canals Festival Stoke-on-Trent, Sta ordshire etruriamuseum.org.uk

1 – 2 June

E1 World Championship Puerto Banus, Marbella, Spain E1series.com

2 – 15 June

Richard Mille Cup

Starts in Falmouth www.richardmillecup.com

Festival www.richardmillecup.com

3 – 10 June

D-Day and the Aerial Battle for Normandy Tour, WM Duxford www.iwm.org.uk

5 June

Clipper Round the World

The USA Coast-to-Coast Leg Flamenco Marina & Shelter Bay Marina Panama www.clipperroundtheworld.com

5 June

National commemorative event to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day Southsea Common Portsmouth dday80.campaign.gov.uk

6 June

D-Day Commemorative Service and Military Parade Southampton visitsouthampton.co.uk/d-day-80

6 June

D-Day 80 remembrance service National Memorial Arboretum www.thenma.org.uk

6 June

D-Day 80: Remembering the Normandy Landings Royal Albert Hall www.royalalberthall.com

6 June

80th Anniversary of D-Day

7 – 9 June

The South West 3 Peaks Yacht Race St Mawes - Newlyn - Fowey - Plymouth www.nearwaterevents.co.uk/3peaks-yacht-race

7 – 9 June

Royal Southern Summer Series June Regatta Royal Southern Yacht Club Southampton royal-southern.co.uk

8 June

Steamship Shieldhall

D-Day 80 Theme Cruise to the Solent From Southampton ss-shieldhall.co.uk

8 June

World Oceans Day worldoceanday.org

8 June

World Oceans Day Event Royal Quays Marina North Shields www.boatfolk.co.uk

8 June

Reading Water Fest www.facebook.com/Rdgwaterfest

8 – 9 June

RCTA Cassiobury Park Floating Market Watford, Hertfordshire www.rcta.org.uk

8 – 9 June

Bembridge Gig Fest Bembridge Harbour Isle of Wight www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk

8 – 9 June

Special Services Weekend St Katharine Docks Marina, London www.skdocks.co.uk

9 June

Steamship Shieldhall D-Day 80 Theme Cruise to Portsmouth Harbour from Southampton ss-shieldhall.co.uk

9 June

D-Day 80: D-Day Walking Tour Southampton visitsouthampton.co.uk/events/dday-80-d-day-walking-tour

9 June

GB Row Challenge Circumnavigating Great Britain Departing from St Katharine Docks Marina www.gbrowchallenge.com

11 – 12 June

The Henri Coandã Challenge Hamble, Southampton www.britanniaevents.co.uk

11 – 13 June

Seawork Southampton seawork.com

14 - 16 June

Su olk Yacht Harbour Classic Regatta Su olk www.syhclassicregatta.co.uk

14 - 16 June

Falmouth Classics Falmouth, Cornwall www.falmouthclassics.org.uk

14 – 16 June

Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival Falmouth, Cornwall www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk

15 June

Berth Holders party Portland Marina Dorset www.boatfolk.co.uk

15 June

Eddystone Charity Sailing Pursuit Plymouth www.eddystonepursuit.com

15 June

200 Years Gala Black Tie Ball Royal Jersey Showground La Route de la Trinité Jersey rnli.org

15 June

Round the Island Race www.roundtheisland.org.uk

16 June

Pembroke Castle RNLI Festival Pembroke Castle Pembrokeshire rnli.org

DORSET BOAT SHOw

QUARKEN 35 UK PREMIER 35

Blending decades of Nordic craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology, the Quarken 35 Cabin is set to take the boating world by storm.

Available to view for the first time in the UK at the Dorset Boat Show by boatpoint from the 12th–14th April at Portland Marina.

19 – 22 June

The Superyacht Cup Palma, Spain www.thesuperyachtcup.com

20 – 23 June

Sea Angling Classic Port Solent Marina Portsmouth www.seaanglingclassic.com

Available to buy in the UK through boatpoint

Scan the QR code to find out more

22 June

SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race  Wicklow roundireland.ie

22 June

–of

Rock the Boat Bembridge Harbour, Isle of Wight www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk

22 June

21 – 23 June

RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Lymington rs21ukclass.org

21 – 23 June

Scottish Traditional Boat Festival Portsoy Aberdeenshire stbfportsoy.org

Brentford Canal Festival Grand Union Canal www.facebook.com/ BrentfordCanalFestival

22 – 23 June New York SailGP New York City sailgp.com

22 – 23 June

RCTA Atherstone Floating Market Coventry Canal Towpath, Warwickshire www.rcta.org.uk

25 June

Clipper Round the World The Atlantic Homecoming Leg Washington DC www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Next month: July – September’s boating events

Want to be included next month? Send your events to editor@allatsea.co.uk!

The

news, information and up-dates from British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry.

Exploring excellence on the water with The Yacht Harbour Association’s Gold Anchor Scheme and Find a Marina tool.

For boat owners and boating enthusiasts, the quest for the perfect marina is akin to finding a home away from home - a place where their prized vessels can berth safely, where they can enjoy top-notch facilities and experience breath-taking surroundings. This is where The Yacht Harbour Association can help, with its Gold Anchor Scheme o ering a definitive guide for discerning yacht owners in search of superior marina services, and its comprehensive ‘Find a Marina’ tool, an indispensable resource for sailors seeking the perfect haven for their prized craft.

We take a closer look at the Gold Anchor Scheme and explore how the ‘Find a Marina’ tool can transform your boating experience, making it more enjoyable, secure and hassle-free.

The Gold Anchor Scheme:

Benchmarking Marina Quality

Imagine a world where the quality of every marina is quantifiable, where the level of service, facilities and operational standards are not left to hearsay but are instead marked by a universally recognised emblem of excellence. This is a reality made possible by TYHA’s Gold Anchor Scheme.

Launched over 25 years ago, this scheme is the nautical equivalent of the star rating system for hotels but tailored specifically for marinas, providing yacht owners with a clear, unbiased indication of a marina’s quality.

These ratings are not handed out lightly; marinas undergo rigorous assessments, including mystery shopping, berth holder surveys and a thorough on-site audit on a variety of criteria such as the quality of their facilities, customer service, operational e ciency and environmental practices.

Based on their performance, they are awarded a rating ranging from one to five Gold Anchors. The higher the number of anchors, the higher the standard of excellence you can expect. Whether for a short visit or a long-term stay a marina with a high Gold Anchor rating is not just about luxury; it is about the assurance of safety, quality and a memorable stay. From state-of-the-art security for your boat to exceptional recreational facilities for you and your crew, these marinas make every stop an experience to remember.

The Gold Anchor scheme not only serves as a mark of distinction for marinas, but also as a crucial decision-making tool for yacht owners worldwide.

The ‘Find a Marina’ Tool: Your gateway to the ideal berth

Finding the perfect marina that meets all your needs can be as daunting as charting through unexplored waters. This is where the Yacht Harbour Association’s ‘Find a Marina’ tool comes into play, o ering a streamlined, user-friendly platform that connects boat owners with their ideal marina. Accessible via TYHA’s website, this online resource is a treasure trove of information. The ‘Find a Marina’ tool allows you to search for marinas by location, name or specific amenities ensuring that you find a marina that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Whether you are looking for a tranquil retreat, a hub bustling with social activities or a marina equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the ‘Find a Marina’ tool makes your search e ortless. Each listed marina comes with detailed information, including the services o ered, berth details, contact information and, of course, its Gold Anchor rating. It is like having a knowledgeable first mate by your side, ready to help you navigate to your next destination.

Why the Gold Anchor Scheme and ‘Find a Marina’ Tool are invaluable:

Assurance of Quality: The Gold Anchor rating provides boat owners with peace of mind, knowing that their chosen marina adheres to the highest standards of service and quality. This removes any guesswork and variability in the selection process, ensuring a consistently high-quality experience.

Tailored Search: The ‘Find a Marina’ tool o ers a personalised approach to finding a marina. Whether your priorities lie in luxurious amenities, comprehensive security measures or eco-friendly operations, the tool helps you find a marina that aligns with your values and needs.

Enhanced Experience: Beyond the practicalities of safety and amenities, these resources enhance the overall boating experience. They encourage exploration by making it easier for boat owners to discover new destinations with the confidence of knowing they will find excellent facilities and services upon arrival.

Community and Networking: Many Gold Anchorrated marinas are not just places to berth your boat; they are vibrant communities. Boat owners have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, participate in exclusive events and become part of a global network of boating enthusiasts.

Environmental Responsibility: With growing emphasis on sustainability, the Gold Anchor Scheme evaluates marinas on their environmental management practices. This encourages marinas to adopt greener operations and o ers boat owners the choice to support environmentally responsible marinas.

Making the most of the Gold Anchor Scheme and ‘Find a Marina’ tool

For boat owners and enthusiasts, engaging with the Gold Anchor Scheme and utilising the ‘Find a Marina’ tool can significantly elevate the boating experience. Whether planning a leisurely cruise along the coast, an adventurous voyage to distant shores or simply seeking a safe and luxurious home for your boat, these resources o er invaluable guidance.

Exploring marinas that have earned their Gold Anchors can also be a delightful journey in itself. Each marina comes with its unique charm and set of o erings, promising new experiences and discoveries. From the tranquil azure waters of the Mediterranean to the rugged beauty of the North Atlantic, the world is full of marinas waiting to be explored, each with the potential to o er something special.

The Yacht Harbour Association’s Gold Anchor Scheme and ‘Find a Marina’ tool are more than just a rating system and a search platform; they are essential tools to enhance your boating experience. They represent a commitment to quality, safety and enjoyment, ensuring that every moment spent on the water is as perfect as it can be.

Find out more about The Yacht Harbour Association - www.tyha.co.uk

Learn more about The Gold Anchor Schemewww.tyha.co.uk/gold-anchor

Find a Marinawww.tyha.co.uk/marina-listing#advancedsearch

Cowes Yacht Haven celebrates its Five Gold Anchors

While we all have di erent requirements from our marinas, we do all expect a high standard

SOUTH COAST & GREEN TECH BOAT SHOW

Showcasing the best of global boating, this month sees the return of this popular event in Southampton.

FREE ENTRY 19-21 APRIL

Set against the spectacular backdrop of MDL’s flagship Ocean Village Marina, the South Coast and Green Tech Boat Show is back with the very best global power, sail and electric brands and innovative eco-friendly products all at the same great venue.

Guided by Raymarine, the three-day event, taking place between 19 - 21 April, promises to be bigger and better than ever. Playing host to a vast range of on-water and shoreside exhibitors, with over 90 boats on display in the marina and more than 100 onshore exhibitors, as well as live guests and demonstrations, it is a must for serious buyers.

Whether you are a seasoned sailor or a potential new boat owner looking to dip your toes in the water, the South Coast and Green Tech Boat Show certainly delivers with an array of impressive vessels from tenders to luxurious yachts, alongside the latest cutting-edge electric boats and green technologies.

Setting the tone is an impressive line-up of power and sail boats, featuring several debuts and awardwinners, from world-leading brands such as Beneteau, Lagoon, Axopar, Fairline, Hanse and Quarken.

Biggest exhibition of green marine tech

Specifically designed for boat owners wishing to make the switch to greener options, the show boasts the UK’s largest display of eco-friendly boats and innovative green technologies and sustainable products.

Representing renowned electric brands such as Candela, Optima and RS Electric Boats, dealers and company representatives will be on hand throughout the show, ready to offer visitors expert advice on the eco-friendly options that are currently available, or under development, in the market.

The exhibitor list is also packed to the brim with renowned green marine brands such as ePropulsion, Torqeedo and Vetus, showcasing a huge range of products from electric outboards to the latest eco-technology.

Innovation Hub

To address the complexities of green marine technologies, in addition to the many eco-focused exhibitors, the 2024 show will once again incorporate an Innovation Hub.

Taking place on the live stage at the heart of the show will be an exciting roster of talks covering a wide variety of topics on sustainability and ocean preservation, delivered by industry experts at the cutting edge of clean marine technological innovation. This includes an expert-led panel discussion with Q&As focusing on the recycling and repurposing of boating equipment and gear.

MDL’s Green Innovator Award 2024

One of the show highlights is undoubtedly MDL’s Green Innovator Award. Now in its third year, the coveted award distinguishes products and services that are pioneering sustainability innovation and design.  Aimed at projects from both start-ups and established companies, the awards highlight suppliers who are making a special effort towards environmentally sustainable practices and product development.

Nominations for MDL’s Green Innovator Award 2024 are open at www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/green-award, and the winner will be announced during the show on Saturday 20 April.

Kitted out for the new season

Beyond the boats and innovative green technology being exhibited, there will also be an extensive range of marine

products, including electronics, covers, upholstery and bedding for boaters looking to gear up for the new season.

Renegade Brewery will be making a welcome return to the show, supplying a selection of craft beers, including MDL’s very own Nauti Buoy on draft.

Also returning for 2024, Earth to Oven will be offering their locally sourced seasonal street food, as well as alcoholic and hot and cold beverages.

You will find a great range of bars and restaurants around the marina itself too, including Banana Wharf, Pitcher and Piano, Maritimo Lounge, Bacaro, Ocean Grill Italiano, Blue Jasmine, The Olive Tree, HarBAR on 6th and The Jetty.

VISITOR INFORMATION

With world-leading brands, the biggest display of green marine technology, industry experts and standout exhibitions, the South Coast and Green Tech Boat Show is truly one of a kind.

Ocean Village Marina, Southampton

10am - 6pm on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April

10am - 4pm on Sunday 21 April

Tickets to the show are free and can be booked via www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/boat-show-tickets. All registered visitors to The South Coast and Green Tech Boat Show will automatically be entered into a free prize draw to win Raymarine equipment worth nearly £3,000 RRP (T&Cs apply).

Appointments to view specific boats or meet with the individual exhibitors can be arranged via a booking portal on the website. For a full list of confirmed exhibitors visit www.mdlboatshow.co.uk.

Shootin’ the Breeze...

…with Helly Hansen brand ambassador Joan Mulloy, a professional Irish offshore solo sailor.

AAS: How old were you when you began sailing?

JM: I learned to sail when I was about 8-years-old at my local sailing club in the west of Ireland - Mayo Sailing Club.

AAS: You launched your solo sailing career in 2018. What are your favourite races to have competed in?

JM: The highlight of my 2018 season was being the first Irish woman ever to compete in La Solitaire du Figaro. This is a four stage race in Europe covering about 3,500km. It is a really gruelling race; each stage is about four days and you only sleep about one to three hours in each 24 hour period, sometimes less! It was a lot of hard work to get to the start line, and even more to finish it. I was really proud of myself to have completed it. I learned a lot about myself throughout the race - sleep deprivation and the pressure of the competition teach you a lot about who you really are and how you react under stress.

I competed in two very memorable IMOCA races - these are raced in the type of boat used for the Vendée Globe. One was the Monaco Globe series, where we finished fourth. It was amazing sailing through the Mediterranean, with tight racing and the experience of the craziness that is Monaco!

In 2019 I raced the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre race with French skipper Alexia Barrier on her boat. We had such a fun race, enjoying every day of being at sea, pushing the boat and ourselves as hard as we could.

AAS: Tell us about your current boat.

JM: At the moment the team I am sailing withthe Famous Project - has two awesome boats - one is a 70ft trimaran that is made for breaking speed records; it is a flying machine! We also have a 100ft trimaran that we plan to attempt a round the world sailing record on in winter 2025.

AAS: Can you tell us about The Famous Project?

JM: The Famous Project is an awesome project put together by my friend Alexia Barrier. The first goal of the project is to make an all-female attempt at the outright round the world sailing record, but the project is much further reaching than that - aiming to elevate the careers of as many professional female sailors as possible. The project has environmental and educational goals to share all that we are doing as a team with as wide an audience as possible. I really respect Alexia and completely trust her - I know that when she says she will do something she will, and she has been running this project in a way to maximise the opportunity for women.

AAS: Are you still working towards becoming the first Irish woman to compete in the Vendée Globe?

JM: Yes! This is a dream I cannot shake off. I have two young children (they are two and three) and I was not sure if that dream would survive motherhood but it certainly has! One of the biggest challenges with this goal is actually putting together the project - finding a sponsor, managing the boat, the technical side and the financial side to ensure everyone in the project achieves their goals. I need to pick the time that is right to do this for my family - if any potential sponsors are reading this - get in touch.

AAS: What other plans do you have for 2024?

JM: In 2024 the main focus is to continue training and learning with The Famous Project. We have training on the MOD 70 in the diary and hopefully from the summer onwards we will have the ‘big boat’ - our 100ft Ultime - in the water and we will get some training on that. I am involved in our family mussel farm and I have a small engineering business, and I also will be doing some parenting - so I am pretty busy at the moment!

AAS: What does your role as a Helly Hansen ambassador involve?

JM: My role as a Helly Hansen ambassador has many different aspects. We have worked together since the very start of my solo sailing career and it has been a great relationship over many years. There is always a big variety to the things we collaborate on - it could be meetings to discuss technical gear design, it could be bringing journalists sailing on my boat, it could be doing talks or interviews – it is always fun to work with the team there who are so passionate about what they do. As a sailor it is fantastic to have had a strong and consistent gear partner - their kit is so good it is just one thing I have never had to worry about. I know whatever they send me will be right for the job.

AAS: You have previously been involved in a Climate Change Mission with Team UMIAQ –can you tell us more about this?

JM: Yes, I was part of an all-female group who sailed from Iceland to Greenland to make a documentary about climate change in Greenland. It was a fantastic experience - we charted a wonderful boat (Qilak) with a great crew. I was five months pregnant at the time and so for me it was great to see that I could do something useful with sailing - something that was not just the selfish pursuit of solo racing. There were some great women onboard and we got to see parts of an amazing country and sadly witness the effects of climate change. It was great to be able to use my skills as a sailor to help the amazing women onboard to spread the message about climate change.

AAS: Which sailors have inspired you?

JM: Ellen MacArthur when I was a child. Irish sailors who have performed at a high level like Damian Foxhall, Enda O’Coineen who attempted the Vendée Globe and taught me so much about believing in myself. Female sailors who have forged their own path - Alexia Barrier, Pip Hare, Sam Davis, Clarisse Cremer, Justine Mettreaux, the women of the Famous Project. Sam Goodchild, Alan Roberts and other friends in sailing who constantly inspire me to push myself and to not give up on the dream.

AAS: If you could have dinner with any two people from history, dead or alive, who would you choose?

JM: Toto and Susie Wolff – I would quiz them about how to get sponsors and run a high performance sports team.

WINNER

PHOTO COMPETITION

Gordon Young captures the beauty of Norway in his winning shot for the Cruising Association Photo Competition.

Congratulations to Cruising Association member Gordon Young who clinched top spot in the 2023 CA Photo Competition with his aerial photo capturing the breath-taking beauty of Norway.

Taken in July 2023, the photo features ‘Elanor’ tranquilly anchored on her own beside the island of Måsøya, looking towards the mountains of Engeløya, Lofoten.

It was down to renowned marine photographer Paul Wyeth to choose the winner and runners-up.

On the array of photos, Paul said: “All the entries represented an inspiring and diverse set of images that just make you want to grab your sailing kit and glide o into the next sunset. It really was quite a di cult task to pick.”

On Gordon’s winning photo Paul said: “When I first looked through

the great selection of images this really jumped out at me. The framing of the image has the boat centred and surrounded by this beautiful patchwork of islands and amazing turquoise blue and green.

“The framing also leads your eye through the image past the boat and on to the mountains. I just want to know what lies among those mountains. In short, this image really does make you want to climb onboard and go exploring this amazing looking coastline. Inspiration to go sailing if ever there was!”

Gordon Young, who joined the CA relatively recently, explained how the photo came about: “My partner, Trix, and I took three months o work in 2023 to sail from near Glasgow to the very top of Norway. Sailing into the Lofoten area we were blessed with 24 hours a day sunshine.

“We had spotted this area on Google Maps, although it was not very well surveyed on our charts, but with the conditions so benign we felt our way in on a rising tide and found this little pool to anchor. It looked amazing from the deck that evening, but after sending the drone up the next morning we were able to appreciate the clear water much more. That being said it is hard to take a poor image in Norway!”

HEMSBY’S STORY

Clive Edwards, operational volunteer, gives an insight into HIRS Lifeboat for the Broads and the threat coastal erosion poses to Norfolk’s Hemsby Lifeboat Station.

Iwonder if you have heard of the Lifeboat for The Broads? Many of us have seen the TV series ‘Saving Lives at Sea’ featuring the RNLI’s lifeboat stations, but there are another 100 or so lifeboat stations in the UK that do not come under the umbrella and support of the RNLI.

There are four independent lifeboat stations on the Norfolk coast alone, including those at Mundesley, Sea Palling, Caister and at Hemsby, where the Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service (HIRS) operates two lifeboats including the specially designed Lifeboat for The Broads.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The story of the Lifeboat for the Broads began in 1999 following a call from Great Yarmouth Coastguard requesting the inshore inflatable lifeboat stationed on the coast at Hemsby attend an incident several miles inland on Hickling Broad. The Hemsby crew responded, of course, even though this meant having to tow the lifeboat, courtesy of a local farmer, several miles by road to a launching slip at Hickling Broad.

Although that was the first recorded incident of Hemsby Lifeboat being tasked by the Coastguard to attend an incident on the Broads, the history of Hemsby Lifeboat Station began many years earlier in the early 1970s following more than a dozen fatalities due to drowning along the coastal waters between Winterton and Scratby. The nearest lifeboats were an RNLI ‘D’ class 5m

RUNNER-UP

Anchored off the Bothy Anchorage, Loch Tarbert, Jura Image: Christopher Morson

James Kenning won the 2022 CA Photo Competition with his photo of dolphins and felt this image was even better in terms of colour, composition and dynamic.

Paul Wyeth said: “In selecting this image I am quite conscious that I did pick another dolphin image last year. However, James you have done such a great job with this image and I couldn’t not pick it. A beautiful sunset, good breeze and not one or two but six dolphins! Who would not want to be transported there for that moment? What I really love is the slow

Christopher Morson, sheltering in a bothy as the weather closed in, could barely see ‘Quintet’ at anchor. His aim was to convey the sense of looking out from a place of safe shelter.

Paul Wyeth said: “What I love about this image is that you do not really see the boat initially. But once you do, the framing of the image just starts you wondering what the story is. Did they row ashore and spend the evening candle lit in a little cottage by the shore? This image tells a story and is far more than you initially see.”

shutter speed combined with wide angle in this shot that makes for a dynamic arresting image.”

RUNNER-UP

Perfect end to the day on passage between Gibraltar - Cartagena Image: James Kenning

As the winner, Gordon will be presented with CA goodies, including a certificate, canvas bag and burgee, with the runners-up each receiving a certificate and burgee. www.theca.org.uk

inflatable at Happisburgh to the north and an old Liverpool Class all weather lifeboat, capable of no more than about 8 knots, based at Caister to the south.

The result of the drownings was a commitment in 1975 by the local Hemsby community to form a local Rescue Service and to source an appropriate ‘rescue boat’ in the shape of a 4.5m Avon inflatable on loan from the Sub Aqua club.

Later that year, thanks to the generosity of the Norfolk Broads Lions Club, the Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service was able to purchase its own boat, a 5m Avon Searider RIB with a 40hp Mercury outboard, appropriately named ‘Sealion 1’ in recognition of the Lions Club’s support.

READY FOR ACTION

Following the purchase of their own rescue boat and a house to keep it in and launch it from, volunteers to act as crew needed to be recruited and trained and the boat properly equipped. Despite all this, during that first year 30 volunteer crew members were trained and responded to six incidents, which these days are referred to as ‘shouts’.

The next years, 1977 and 1978, were busy with all the administrative measures required to obtain recognition by the Charity Commission and HM Coastguard, plus operational matters such as the purchase of a Land Rover for launching the boat and pagers for the crew. During that same twoyear period the HIRS responded to no less than 19 ‘shouts’.

The 1980s saw many developments, amongst the most significant being the o cial recognition by HM Coastguard of Hemsby IRS as a ‘Declared Facility’ and an integral part of the UK Search & Rescue organisation (UKSAR).

During this time Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service responded to more than 80 ‘shouts’ culminating in 1999 with the incident described previously several miles inland

on Hickling Broad. This led to a decision to purchase a dedicated freshwater lifeboat, mainly for incidents on the Broads, where the usual RIB with its relatively deep hull designed for use at sea is really not best suited to the often quite shallow waters of the Broads.

The turn of the century saw the introduction of the first Hemsby Broads Rescue Boat, subsequently superseded by similar types of boat culminating a few years ago with a 14ft Seastrike/Goodchild Marine very shallow draft aluminium ‘dory’ powered by a 30hp outboard normally towed to one of some 32 launching sites around the 125 miles of the Broads by a Mitsubishi L20 tow truck.

EROSION THREAT

This Broads Rescue Boat, known more commonly as the Lifeboat for the Broads, responds to an average of 50 incidents every year. At the same time Hemsby’s sea-going RIB lifeboat also gets numerous shouts for incidents o shore, made more di cult in terms of launching by the serious and on-going coastal erosion which requires improved sea defences; last year another 3 - 4m of Hemsby coastline was lost to the sea. Sadly, potentially, there will be a need for the whole Hemsby Lifeboat Station and its operations to be relocated. www.facebook.com/p/HemsbyLifeboat-100064876592538

Image: Gordon Young

The Lifeboat for the Broads

Hemsby Lifeboat Station might have to be relocated due to coastal erosion

Photos of the Month

Send in your photos and you could be in All at Sea, on our Facebook page or in our weekly newsletter (sign up at www.allatsea.co.uk). Send entries, with a caption, to editor@allatsea.co.uk. Each month’s winning photo will be included in the Photo of the Year reader vote.

photo

The east side channel at Brownsea Island, sent in by Alan Coles.

A friend on the Beaulieu Riverthanks to Alan Price for this lovely photo.

This picture of Marseille was sent in by Andrew Stretton.

“Virgin’s ‘Scarlett Lady’ in Portsmouth – little and large!” by Diana Richardson. THIS

WHAT’S COOKING?

Eggs in Hell

We are sharing recipes from The Hunter & The Gatherer, by liveaboard cruisers Catherine Lawson and David Bristow. Give these tasty Eggs in Hell a try…!

Feeds 4 • Prep 5 mins •

Cook 20 mins

This is Dave’s kind of breakfast: a hearty, protein-packed meal with heaps of veggies that keeps him going well beyond lunchtime. It makes an excellent lazy dinner too, served with chunky slices of toasted homemade bread.

■ 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil

■ ½ medium brown onion, chopped

■ 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

■ ½ large red capsicum (bell pepper), chopped

■ 8-10 mushrooms, sliced

■ 400g tin whole tomatoes, roughly chopped

■ 440g tin baked beans

■ 1/2tsp ground cumin

■ ¼tsp smoked paprika

■ freshly cracked black pepper

■ handful of cherry tomatoes, halved

■ 4 large free-range eggs

■ Serve with chopped flat-leaf parsley

Over a medium heat, warm 1tbsp of olive oil in a large, heavy based frying pan. Sauté the onion until it softens, and add the garlic, capsicum and mushrooms. Cook for 4 - 5 minutes. Add the tinned tomatoes, baked beans and spices. Simmer and stir for 5 minutes, then toss in the cherry tomatoes.

Make four small wells in the mixture with a spoon and crack in the eggs. Cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes or until the eggs are set. Take o the heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Send us a photo of your Eggs in Hell!

Or let us know your current favourite onboard recipes.

This is an extract from The Hunter & The Gatherer, a cookbook for sailors by liveaboard cruisers Catherine Lawson and David Bristow@wildtravelstory. Published by Exploring Eden Media – exploringedenbooks.co – it is available in the UK and Europe via Imray.com, or where all good sailing books are sold. £29.95

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with the chance of winning this great prize enter below, at www.allatsea.co.uk or by email to editor@allatsea.co.uk with the subject header Anchoright Chain Marking Competition. You can also enter via the All at Sea newsletter (sign up at www.allatsea.co.uk/aasnewsletter).

Q: Sets contain between 4 and how many colours?

A:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

EMAIL:

Onboard with BOATSHED

Every month Neil Chapman, founder of Boatshed.com, discusses important topics in the marine industry and o ers advice for buying and owning boats.

In this issue Neil delves further into what it is like to live onboard and the considerations involved.

In a world increasingly open to non-traditional living arrangements, many are turning their backs on conventional homes in favour of life on the move. Living on a boat is a popular option, so what are the benefits and what do you need to consider?

Boat life, often romanticised for its spacious living quarters and scenic views, o ers more than just a place to live; it is a gateway to the open sea. Boats, especially those ranging from 26 - 40ft, typically provide fixed beds, kitchens and additional living spaces like saloon and bunk areas, providing a comfortable living arrangement. Also, most boats have a chart table which easily converts to a desk.

However, this lifestyle is not without its drawbacks. Travelling by boat can be restrictive, requiring detailed planning to move from one marina or anchorage to another. The ideal mooring is a marina, but as these are more expensive, other options include anchoring in a sheltered bay, hiring a mooring buoy or putting the boat ashore.

The maintenance and understanding of basic onboard systems requires a certain level of know-how. Thankfully connectivity - a vital aspect of modern living - is achievable due to solutions such as marina WiFi and mobile internet options like Starlink.

STORAGE, SECURITY AND COMMUNITY

When it comes to storage, boats are designed with numerous nooks and crannies for personal belongings. However, keeping these areas dry and ventilated is a constant battle against moisture. Security is provided by the natural barrier of water, plus marina safeguards, and there is a more pronounced sense of community, with ‘neighbours’ keeping an eye out.

Marinas and anchorages naturally foster interactions and mutual support among dwellers, which is invaluable, especially when dealing with the unique challenges of boat maintenance and living. There is usually someone around to advise on electrical and mechanical problems, or who will know a person who can help.

SUSTAINABILITY AND OFF-GRID LIVING

Boat life necessitates a deep understanding of sustainable living, particularly in managing power needs. Solar panels, battery storage and other ogrid technologies are essential for boat dwellers and these systems require careful planning to balance power consumption with generation, ensuring a reliable source of electricity for daily needs.

If living o -grid, it is important you understand your power inputs and outputs. YouTube and other channels can help you work out your usage and what you need to sustain it.

FINANCING YOUR NOMADIC LIFE

Financing an alternative lifestyle often involves creativity and adaptability. The rise of remote work and digital platforms o ers a plethora of opportunities for income, from running a YouTube channel to freelancing in various capacities. And if you are moored in a marina, surrounded by other businesses, bars and restaurants, the dynamic environment supports networking, community support and potential new opportunities.

SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE

Although boat life o ers space and a strong sense of community, it demands high levels of maintenance and planning. The key to thriving in this lifestyle lies in a deep understanding of your needs, a commitment to sustainable living and a spirit of adventure. You will need to plan your mooring needs

Across

1 Extensive areas of land (6)

7 Placed near together (5-3)

8 Animal’s den (4)

9 ___ Island, New York Bay area (5)

10 Panel forming the lower part of a wall (4)

11 Skin on top of the head (5)

13 Indian Ocean island, capital Saint-Denis (7)

15 Taxi drivers (coll) (7)

17 Equally (5)

21 Unit of length equal to 1760 yards (4)

22 Titan forced by Zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders (5)

23 Certain (4)

24 Signal (usually a siren) that danger is over (3,5)

25 B owl-shaped vessels (6)

Down

1 Bulbous plants associated with Amsterdam (6)

2 Breakfast food made from grains (6)

3 Rebuke (5)

4 Bertie ___, character created by P G Wodehouse (7)

5 Weighted down with weariness (6)

6 Situation in which no progress can be made (8)

12 Collarbone (8)

14 Rested from work (7)

16 Colour-removing chemical (6)

CROSSWORD

Solve

18 Girls (6)

19 Stands for paintings (6)

20 Promotional statement (as found on the dust jackets of books) (5)

Each letter of the alphabet has been given a different number. Substitute numbers for letters to make words to complete the puzzle. The check-box and letters either side of the grid may help you keep track.

46

Using the letters in the wheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible of three or more letters, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns.

Each word must contain the central letter and no letters can be used more than once per word unless they appear in different sections of the wheel.

There is at least one nine-letter word to be found.

Nine-letter word(s):

Specialists

With over 400 Tonnes of chain in stock, as well as a huge selection of rope, shackles, swivels, buoys and other mooring products, BGD are able to help you with most of your mooring & anchoring requirements

Heavy Duty Boat Stands

Ever Popular! ‘Titan’ Heavy Duty Boat Stands’

Our ever popular heavy duty Titan boat stands are on the shelf again. This time we’ve increased our stock so that everyone who needs them can take advantage of our great prices. Used by boat yards and individuals alike, these heavy duty stands offer the following features:

Sturdy Tripod Open Base for Stability and Easy Storage

Small

600 - 900mm

£99.90 each

Double Fixing Points for Storm Chains & Straps

Calibrated Chain suitable for Windlasses

*Test Certificate supplied with chain on request.

TITAN GRADE 40

250mm Threaded Bar for finer pad adjustment

Medium

900 - 1400mm £139.20 each

Tested, Stamped & Certificated, Hot Dip Galvanised, Calibrated Chain Suitable for use on windlasses

Titan Chain is BGD’s own brand. Sourced in China and made specifically for BGD, Titan chain is a high quality, Grade 40 chain that performs well on windlasses. Titan chain can be supplied c/w a test certificate on request.

Titan HDG 6x18.5 DIN766 £3.45 per mtr

Titan HDG 7x22 DIN766 £4.56 per mtr

Titan HDG 8x24 DIN766 £6.48 per mtr

Titan HDG 10x28 DIN766 £9.36 per mtr

Titan HDG 10x30 ISO £9.36 per mtr

Titan HDG 12x36 ISO £12.24 per mtr

Titan HDG 13x36 DIN766 £13.80 per mtr

SOLID ZINC grade 40, calibrated chain is manufactured in Italy and is coated with an increased layer of galvanising, giving it increased longevity. It’s smooth finish & calibration makes it perfect for use on windlasses.

SOLID ZINC is tested, stamped & certified. Certificates available on request.

MF Solid Zinc 6x18.5 DIN766 £4.25 per mtr

MF Solid Zinc 7x22 DIN766 £5.30 per mtr

MF Solid Zinc 8x24 DIN766 £7.70 per mtr

MF Solid Zinc 10x28 DIN766 £11.15 per m

MF Solid Zinc 10x30 ISO £10.85 per m

MF Solid Zinc 12x36 ISO £15.30 per m

MF Solid Zinc 13x36 DIN766 £16.80 per m

New Ball Joint assembly with easy to replace rubber pads

Large

1200 - 1900mm £169.20 each

Polyester Mooring Lines

Ready spliced, braided black polyester with 15” soft eye & whipped end. Packed in pairs in a netted stowage bag.

* 1 Line Only

Trefoil Anchor (Bruce Pattern)

Ratchet Strap

6m x 5 Tonne Only £9.95

READY MADE

16mm Diam x 8mtr £29.78

16mm Diam x 10mts £35.71

16mm Diam x 15mts £50.47

18mm Diam x 8mts £33.41

18mm Diam x 10mts £40.13

18mm Diam x 15mts £56.93

20mm Diam x 8mts £42.65

20mm Diam x 10mts £51.50

20mm Diam x 15mts £37.80*

Channel Anchor

Voyager

2kg £14.50

5kg £34.50

7.5kg £49.95

10kg £64.90

15kg £99.36

20kg £149.00

30kg £209.00

316 Stainless Trefoil Anchor (Bruce Pattern)

2k £69.00

5kg £124.95

7.5kg £182.40

10kg £299.00

15kg £399.00

20kg £496.80

25kg £649.00

Anchor (Delta Type)

6kg £49.95

10kg £69.50

15kg £119.75

20kg £177.62

25kg £237.84

33kg £299.00

316 Stainless Voyager Anchor (DeltaType)

2kg £69.20

5kg £139.00

10kg £240.00

16kg £384.00

20kg £480.00

6kg £34.08

10kg £64.20

16kg £96.75

20kg £109.50

Cruising Anchor (Danforth Style)

2.5kg £14.95

4.5kg £22.65

7kg £40.29

10kg £49.75

14kg £69.60

20kg £99.75

MARINA FOCUS

HASLAR MARINA

A boater’s paradise at the heart of the Solent, Haslar Marina is tucked away just inside the south-west corner of Portsmouth’s famous historic harbour, where everyone is welcome and where everything is taken care of by a team of passionate boaters.

National boating business, boatfolk, which runs Haslar Marina, is on a mission to reinvent the modern marina by creating great places for everyone who wants to be in, on or by the water.

From the experienced boater to the curious dabbler, boatfolk’s vision is to create inclusive communities to serve a new generation of boater and make its 11 UK marinas the first choice for people to spend time with friends and family.

Built by Dean & Reddyho , boatfolk’s founders, in 1993 and benefiting from more than £4.5 million of investment over the past three years, the marina

boasts excellent facilities including two exceptional on-site restaurants, 11 premium hotel rooms, luxurious washrooms and toilets, laundry rooms and free car parking.

Blazing a trail for a more sustainable future, Haslar was the first marina to win The Yacht Harbour Association’s new Sustainable Marina award last year. As part of its green initiatives, the marina has installed a Biohut cage system under the pontoons in partnership with The Seahorse Trust and the University of Portsmouth, to provide a safe home for the UK’s native seahorse species and other vibrant marine wildlife.

FACILITIES & BERTHING

Following a significant redevelopment, which was completed in 2023, the 650-berth marina caters for boats up to 45m and provides a safe and sheltered location, which is freely accessible at all states of the tide. The modern, purpose-built pontoons o er walk ashore berths with generous layouts, providing ample manoeuvring space and access.

The redevelopment also included the installation of an additional 36 deep water berths, a new motorboat service centre, enlarged boatyard, full service boatcare team, on-site boatpoint boat brokerage o ce and the introduction of a boat subscription o ering.

Marina Manager: Ben Lippiett

Marina Tel: 02392 601201

Email: haslar@boatfolk.co.uk

SatNav/address:

Haslar Marina

Haslar Road, Gosport

Hampshire PO12 1NU (entrance clearly marked by two green buoys)

VHF: Channel 80

Quarken powerboats and Sasga, there is sure to be the right boat for you.

Other facilities include:

■ Beyonder - a boat subscription service providing a more accessible way to enjoy the boating lifestyle without the barrier of boat ownership

■ Fuel - petrol and diesel is available from a fuel berth just the other side of the Gosport Ferry

For those looking to buy or sell a boat, boatfolk’s dedicated boat sales business, boatpoint, is on hand.

As the UK’s largest boat broker and dealers for global boat brands including Jeanneau and Elan, as well as the UK exclusive dealer for Ryds,

Haslar’s team of shipwrights, engineers and finishers provide a one-stop shop for all boat repair and maintenance tasks as part of its boatcare service, with the specialist powerboat yard o ering storage ashore and slipway launch and recovery. Lift and launch services are also available for motorboats up to 10m at the powerboat centre, and the SeaLift3, an eco-friendly floating dry dock designed to safely lift and hold boats of all types up to 19m long, 7.6m beam and 3m draft, allows the team to spray o , antifoul, cut and polish the hull.

■ Berth holder only pump out boat – creating a hassle-free solution, each pump out is charged at £5, with every penny going to Coastline Deadline

■ CCTV and access code gates

■ Free use of WiFi

■ Water and electricity (metered)

ACCESS

Getting to Haslar Marina is simple, whether travelling by sea, road, rail or on foot.

When arriving by road, follow sat nav directions for Haslar Marina, Haslar Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NU. The car park is clearly marked by two big green buoys.

If arriving by train, turn left out of Portsmouth Harbour railway station, following the signs to Gosport ferry (twominute walk). After taking the Gosport ferry (four-minute crossing), turn left out of the ferry terminal and follow the footpath south, towards the marina. Enter the marina via the North gate (three-minute walk) or continue along the footpath until you reach the marina office (eightminute walk).

When arriving at Haslar Marina by boat, all vessels under 20m must enter and leave the harbour through the Small Boat Channel on the western side of the harbour entrance. When approaching from the west, boats should approach the harbour through the Swashway (also used by ferries and commercial vessels). This runs 49 degrees (true north) on the right-hand edge of the prominent block of flats, in transit with the War Memorial.

If approaching from the east, beware of the submarine barriers which run due south from Southsea seafront to Horse San Fort – please note, this is a hazard to all craft. There are two passages through the barrier –the inner passage approximately 200m off the beach (marked by green and red piles) and the outer passage approximately 0.8nm off the beach (marked by a quick flashing red dolphin and a green pile).

CRUISING

Haslar Marina is perfect for a weekend getaway or longer stays, with so much to see and do both on and off the water. Cruising from Haslar allows easy access to the Isle of Wight, where you can discover fine beaches, the famous Needles rock formation and a pace of life that recalls the golden age of the British seaside town.

For a longer cruise, the picturesque town of Lymington is highly recommended, with its nautical charm, cobbled streets and a fantastic choice of eateries and pubs. Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the New Forest, it is the perfect setting to simply enjoying the sunshine and discover the magnificent views as you explore the sheltered waters of the Solent, beautiful Dorset coastline and beyond.

"Haslar Marina is perfect for a weekend getaway or longer stays, with so much to see and do both on and off the water. Cruising from Haslar allows easy access to the Isle of Wight, where you can discover fine beaches, the famous Needles rock formation and a pace of life that recalls the golden age of the British seaside town."

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

“We have had a boat in Haslar Marina for over 15 years now, the current one being a Princess F55 flybridge ‘Mango’, which heads up our Charter Solent business. The obvious appeal of Haslar is quick and easy access straight out into the Solent at all states of tide. The marina is well designed and maintained with a wonderful team who are always happy to help out and ensure things are in order when we are many miles away back at home.

“Facilities are constantly being updated and this has recently included a new restaurant ‘The Creek’, a complete overhaul of the iconic Lightship bar and restaurant and also provision of new hotel rooms and a conference area. The latter proving useful for charter guests either pre or post events. Car parking has also been extended, the slipway refurbished and boatyard areas developed for smaller craft.”

Henry & Sharon Firman

BUSINESSES AT THE MARINA

n Alex Thompson Racing Team –headquarters and UK centre of excellence for ocean racing.

n Gentoo Racing Team –headquarters for Vendée Globe 2024 hopeful, James Harayda

n Andrew Simpson Yachting –a Training Centre of excellence delivering a wide range of RYA training courses.

bareboat sailing, racing and classic power.

n Ocean Electronics – marine electronics specialists.

n Kelley’s Hero Charters – fishing charters for experienced or novice anglers offering a full range of trips from half day to five days, between Alderney and Dieppe.

promoting friendship, safety and greater confidence on the water.

n XW Rigging – well established and highly regarded yacht rigging specialists.

n Gosport Model Yacht and Boat Club – one of the largest and most active clubs in the UK.

n Rubicon 3 - adventure sailing.

OUT AND ABOUT

Haslar’s local area has beautiful beaches and fantastic walks along the waterfront and in the wild grounds of Alver Valley. For some relaxed shopping, Gosport town centre is conveniently located approximately 200m from Haslar Marina, with an interesting blend of smaller shops and cafes, as well as major high street names. For a full day of shopping, you can hop over the water to Gunwharf Quays for some serious retail therapy.

Whilst in Portsmouth, a visit to the Historic Dockyard, home to the Mary Rose, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory is a must. As is Old Portsmouth, with its beautiful buildings, interesting pubs and Henry VIII’s Southsea Castle, where you can enjoy a walk along the fortifications. You may even be able to spot your boat from the top of the Emirates Spinnaker Tower, with spectacular views over Portsmouth Harbour and along the coast.

Back at the harbour, Haslar Marina offers two restaurants on-site, The Creek and The Lightship. The Creek, with its unique charm and sweeping views over the marina, offers relaxed modern dining with the food and overall dining experience taking inspiration from its waterside location.

The iconic 1940s Lightship offers exquisite dishes and an exceptional view with a menu boasting local produce and seafood to offer a unique fine-dining experience. With friendly service, great food and fabulous views, The Lightship at Haslar Marina offers the perfect setting for a light lunch, celebratory meal with friends and family, or a well-deserved sundowner or two.

n Four Seasons Yacht Charter –Solent yacht charters and sailing school offering skippered sailing,

n Haslar Yacht Club – welcome to anyone who enjoys boating in the locality,

Image: Ross Young Photos

MARINA GUIDE

Your guide to finding the perfect marina

LONDON

ST KATHARINE DOCKS

Manager: Paul Atkins

50 St. Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LA

T: 0207 264 5312

E: marina.reception@skdocks.co.uk

W: ww.skdocks.co.uk

SOUTH WEST

PREMIER MARINAS FALMOUTH

Manager: Mark Evans North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 2TD

T: 01326 316620

E: falmouth@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

PORT PENDENNIS MARINA

Manager: Mark Webster Challenger Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3YL

T: 01326 211211

E: marina@portpendennis.com

W: www.portpendennis.com

MYLOR YACHT HARBOUR

Manager/contact: Culum Matheson

Mylor Yacht Harbour, Mylor Churchtown, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5UF

T: 01326 372 121

E: marina@mylor.com

W: www.mylor.com

FALMOUTH HAVEN

Contact: Barry Buist

44 Arwenack Street, Falmouth TR11 3JQ

T: 01326 310990

E: welcome@falmouthhaven.co.uk

W: www.falmouthhaven.co.uk

MAYFLOWER MARINA

Manager: Charles Bush

Mayflower Marina, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 4LS

T: 01752 556633

E: info@mayflowermarina.co.uk

W: www.mayflowermarina.co.uk

PLYMOUTH YACHT HAVEN

Manager: Steve Kitchen

Shaw Way, Mount Batten, Devon, PL9 9XH

T: 01752 404231

E: plymouth@yachthavens.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

YACHT HAVEN QUAY, PLYMOUTH

Manager: Will Rahder

Breakwater Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 7FE

T: 01752 481190

E: boatyard@yachthavenquay.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

MDL QUEEN ANNE’S BATTERY

Manager: Alex Warner

Queen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth Devon. PL4 0LP

T: 01752 671142

E: qab@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.queenannesbattery.co.uk

SUTTON HARBOUR MARINA

Marina Manager: Mark Brimacombe

The Jetty, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth PL4 0DW

T: 01752 204702

E: marina@sutton-harbour.co.uk

W: www.suttonharbourmarina.com

KING POINT MARINA

Marina Manager: Mark Brimacombe

Brunel Way, Milbay, Plymouth PL1 3EF

T: 01752 424297

E: marina@kingpointmarina.co.uk

W: www.kingpointmarina.co.uk

PREMIER MARINAS NOSS ON DART

Manager: Mike Smith

Bridge Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth Devon, TQ6 0EA T: 01803 839087

E: noss@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

DOLPHIN BOATYARD

Galmpton Creek, Brixham, Devon

T: 01803 842424

E: info@dolphinhaven.co.uk

W: www.dolphin-haven.co.uk

MDL BRIXHAM MARINA

Manager: Martyn Sherratt

Berry Head Road, Devon. TQ5 9BW

T: 01803 882929

E: brixham@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.brixhammarina.co.uk

MDL TORQUAY MARINA

Manager: Martyn Sherratt

Torquay, Devon , TQ2 5EQ

T: 01803 200210

E: torquaymarina@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.torquaymarina.co.uk

WATCHET MARINA

Manager: Matt Driscoll

10 The Esplanade, Watchet, Somerset, TA23 0AJ

T: 01984 322230

E: Info@themarinegroup.co.uk

W: www.themarinegroup.co.uk

WEYMOUTH MARINA BY BOATFOLK

Manager: Neil Bedwell

Commercial Road,Weymouth Dorset. DT4 8NA

T: 01305 767576

E: weymouth@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

WEYMOUTH HARBOUR

Manager/contact - Jamie Joyce

13 Custom House Quay, Weymouth

T: 01305 838423

E: weymouthharbour@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

W: www.weymouth-harbour.co.uk

PORTLAND MARINA BY BOATFOLK

Manager: Paul Swain

Osprey Quay, Portland, Dorset. DT5 1DX

T: 01305 866190

E: portland@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

LAKE YARD MARINA

Manager/contact - Jenny Burrows Lake Yard Marina, Lake Drive, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset. BH15 4DT

T:- 01202 674531

E: o ce@lakeyard.com

W: www.lakeyard.com

POOLE QUAY BOAT HAVEN

Manager: Kerrie Gray

Poole Quay Boat Haven, Poole Town Quay, Poole,Dorset. BH15 1HJ

T/F: 01202 649488

E: info@poolequayboathaven.co.uk

W: www.poolequayboathaven.co.uk

PORT OF POOLE MARINA

Manager: Kerrie Gray Poole Quay Boat Haven, Poole Town Quay, Poole,Dorset. BH15 1HJ

T/F: 01202 649 488

E: info@poolequayboathaven.co.uk

W: www.poolequayboathaven.co.uk

SALTERNS MARINA LTD

Manager: Robert Golden 40 Salterns Way, Lilliput, Poole, Dorset. BH14 8JR

T: 01202 709971 F: 01202 700398

E: reception@salterns.co.uk

W: www.salterns.co.uk

MDL COBB’S QUAY MARINA

Manager: Kelly Trewern

Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset. BH15 4EL

T: 01202 674299

E: cobbsquay@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.cobbsquaymarina.co.uk

LYMINGTON YACHT HAVEN

Manager: Rupert Wagsta

Kings Saltern Road, Lymington, Hampshire , SO41 3QD

T: 01590 677071

E: lymington@yachthavens.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

BUCKLER’S HARD YACHT HARBOUR

Harbour Master: Wendy Stowe Harbour Master’s O ce. Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour,, Hampshire, SO42 7XB

T: 01590 616200

E: harbour.office@beaulieu.co.uk

W: www.beaulieuriver.co.uk

HAVEN QUAY, LYMINGTON

Haven Quay Dry Stack Mill Lane,, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9AZ

T: 01590 677072

E: havenquay@yachthavens.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

DEACONS MARINA BY BOATFOLK

Contact name: Julie Spensley-Corfield

Bursledon Bridge, Southampton SO31 8AZ

T 023 80 402253

E:deacons@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

MDL HYTHE MARINA VILLAGE

Manager: TBC

The Lock Building, Shamrock Way Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire. SO45 6DY

T: 023 8020 7073

E: hythe@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.hythemarinavillage.co.uk

Technical Centre

Following a £600,000 investment, boatcare has launched a new bespoke technical centre at Conwy Marina. The newly built facility can accommodate vessels up to 14m, allowing boatcare to o er weatherproof services at Conwy for the first time. The space, which has been furnished with state-of-the-art equipment for boat servicing and maintenance, will improve the services available to both boatcare’s existing customers and the wider local boating community.

Jon Roberts, Conwy Marina manager, said: “We are delighted with the new

MDL OCEAN VILLAGE MARINA

Manager: Lauren McCann

Marina O ce, 2 Channel Way, Southampton, Hampshire. SO14 3TG

T: 023 8022 9385

E: oceanvillage@mdlmarinas.co.u

W: www.oceanvillagemarina.co.uk

MDL SHAMROCK QUAY

Manager: Barry Radband

William Street, Northam, Southampton Hampshire, SO14 5QL

T: 023 8022 9461

E: shamrockquay@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.shamrockquay.co.uk

MDL SAXON WHARF

Manager: David Walters

Lower York Street, Northam, Southampton, SO14 5QF

T: 023 8033 9490

E: saxonwharf@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.saxonwharf.co.uk

MDL HAMBLE POINT MARINA

Manager: Debbie Burns School Lane, Hamble, Southampton Hampshire. SO31 4NB

T: 023 8045 2464

E: hamblepoint@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.hamblepointmarina.co.uk

MDL PORT HAMBLE MARINA

Manager: Bertie Marsh

Satchell Lane, Hamble, Southampton Hampshire. SO31 4QD

T: 023 8045 274,1

E: porthamble@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W:www.porthamblemarina.co.uk

TOWN QUAY MARINA

Associated British Ports, Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2AQ

T: 023 8023 4397

E: info@townquay.com

W:www.townquay.com

technical centre, which has been introduced after listening to the local boating community to anticipate their maintenance needs, and will enable us to o er a larger scope of work with the boats being inside and sheltered.

“Bringing this facility to Conwy is testament to our continued investment in the local area, and takes us a step closer to o ering the all-inclusive service our boating customers require.”

www.boatfolk.co.uk

MDL MERCURY YACHT HARBOUR

Manager: Dominic Brown SatchellLane, Hamble, Southampton, Hampshire. SO31 4HQ T: 023 8045 5994

E: mercury@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.mercuryyachtharbour.co.uk

PREMIER MARINAS SWANWICK

Manager: Graham Bristowe

Swanwick (on the Hamble) Southampton, Hants. SO31 1ZL T: 01489 884081

E: swanwick@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com

HAMBLE YACHT SERVICES

Port Hamble, Hamble,Southampton, Hampshire,SO31 4NN

T: 02380 201501 E: info@hysgroup.co.uk

W:www.hysgroup.co.uk

PREMIER MARINAS UNIVERSAL

Manager: Graham Bristowe Crableck Lane, Sarisbury Green, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 7ZN T: 01489574272

E: universal@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

HASLAR MARINA BY BOATFOLK

Manager: Ben Lippiett Haslar Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NU T: 023 9260 1201 F: 023 9260 2201

E: haslar@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

PREMIER MARINAS GOSPORT

Manager: Jonathan Walcroft Mumby Road , Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1AH

T: 023 9252 4811

F: 023 9258 9541

E: gosport@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

Falmouth’s Future Plan

A plan to map out Falmouth Harbour’s position as the UK’s best place to live, work and visit over the next 15 years has won almost £100K from the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ Shared Prosperity Fund.

The funding – granted through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth programme managed by Cornwall Council – will allow the harbour to focus on current and future marine technologies at the heart of the historic town as well as providing better waterfront access and facilities for local communities and visitors.

The study, which is receiving £98,989 from the Shared Prosperity Fund, will examine the current marine industry and infrastructure and future blue technologies seen as key to establishing Falmouth as the preeminent port of call at the Atlantic Gateway for servicing o shore wind and power and other small commercial and leisure vessels.

To this end the harbour is working with Falmouth Marine School on future

skills development, particularly around o shore technology, to support renewables and wind power.

The study will also look at possibilities for a new marina and berthing for small o shore vessels and superyachts and space for major sailing events alongside better facilities for local people to get closer to the water and events.

Already the classic superyacht regatta Richard Mille Cup has announced a return to Falmouth for a ‘showcase start’ in June after the successful hosting by the harbour and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club of last year’s inaugural event.

In further news, Falmouth Harbour’s new Marine Hub has been joined by a team of marine engineers.

Coastside Engineering Services has taken up a ‘pod’ at the harbour’s Grove Place slipway alongside Allspars Falmouth, giving them quayside workshop space to work both onsite or quickly mobilise to wherever their water-borne customers may need them.

AROUND THE MARINAS

The

has been

The draft legislation had incorrectly grouped ‘boat moorings or berthings’ alongside hotels, camping sites and B&Bs, as types of accommodation where the Visitor Levy would have to be charged.

MDL is supporting the UK Nacra 15 Class Association. As part of its support, MDL is hosting the UK Nacra 15 Summer Championships class fleet at Hamble Point Marina It will also host an additional training camp at Hamble Point Marina later in the year when the Nacra 15 teams will return as part of their winter training programme.

Premier Marinas has teamed up with adventurer, speaker and author James Ketchell in preparation for his next adventure. Later this year he will tackle his biggest undertaking to date –sailing solo around the world and becoming the first person to circumnavigate the globe by air, sea and land. James’ yacht is berthed at Gosport Marina

Boatyard Investment

Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour has invested £125,000 in 48 new boat cradles to improve boatyard services for Beaulieu River berth and mooring holders. Another 37 yacht cradles were previously bought, together with 90 motorboat stands.

Harbour Master Wendy Stowe said: “Many customers prefer modern steel to traditional wooden cradles, which provide more protection and e ciency while moving and working on their boats. We are committed to delivering the best possible customer service with the investment that requires.”

ROYAL CLARENCE MARINA

The Bridgehead, Weevil Lane, Gosport, Hampshire. PO12 1AX

T: 023 9252 3523

E: info@royalclarencemarina.org

W: www.royalclarencemarina.org

AQUAVISTA ROYAL CLARENCE

WATERSIDE & MARINA

Weevil Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1AX

T: 023 9252 3523

E: royalclarence@aquavista.com

W: www.aquavista.com

PREMIER MARINAS PORT SOLENT

Manager: Mark Phillp South Lockside, Port Solent, Portsmouth,Hampshire. PO6 4TJ

T: 023 9221 0765

F: 023 9232 4241

E: portsolent@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

PREMIER MARINAS SOUTHSEA

Manager: Peter Pring Fort Cumberland Road Portsmouth, Hampshire. PO4 9RJ

T: 023 9282 2719

F: 023 9282 2220

E: southsea@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

GUNWHARF QUAYS MARINA

A grey seal pup which was recently born on the Beaulieu River is believed to be the first of its kind in Hampshire waters. Conservationists have been keeping a watchful eye to give it every chance of survival. The Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour team has been safeguarding the pup from disturbance by river users, while working with Natural England, the Seal Alliance, British Divers Marine Life Rescue and Wild New Forest Guided Tours to help protect it.

D-Marin showcased its marinas in the United Arab Emirates - Marasi Bay, Al Seef, Jaddaf Waterfront and Marsa Al Arab - at the Dubai International Boat Show. D-Marin also highlighted its commitment to sustainable practices, with the company ranking in the top quarter of leisure companies by EcoVadis for its commitment to providing the most sustainable marinas.

MA Financial has purchased Queensland’s East Coast Marina for A$33 million, expanding its Marina Fund. East Coast Marina has 330 berths, dry storage for 240 vessels, 595m² of commercial buildings and a car park. The acquisiton expands the Fund’s footprint to 13 marinas.

A 17m cherry picker was also recently purchased to enable boat owners to reach the top of their masts for wind instrument swap-outs and re-running halyards, as well as helping the boatyard team and dockmasters to carry out more maintenance work and repairs.

Recent investment has extended to its team, with the appointment of the yacht harbour’s first apprentice. Ollie Rickard, 23, is working towards achieving the British Marine apprenticeship standards to deliver the best service for boat owners and visitors.

COWES HARBOUR SHEPARDS MARINA

Manager: Jock Ra erty Medina Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7HT

T: 01983 297821

E: shepards.chc@cowes.co.uk

W: cowesharbourshepardsmarina.co.uk

ISLAND HARBOUR MARINA

Manager: Danie Erasmus

Mill Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2LA

T: 01983 539994

E: info@island-harbour.co.uk

W:www.island-harbour.co.uk

BEMBRIDGE HARBOUR

Jack Miskin, Deputy HM

The Duver, St Helens, PO33 1YB

T: 01983 872828

E : mail@bembridgeharbour.co.uk

W: www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk

YARMOUTH HARBOUR

Harbour O ce, The Quay, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, PO41 0NT

T: 01983 760321

E: info@yarmouth-harbour.co.uk

W: www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk

VHF: Ch 68 (harbour), Ch 15 (water taxi)

SOUTH EAST

MDL NORTHNEY MARINA

AQUAVISTA BIRDHAM POOL WATERSIDE & MARINA

Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7BG

T: 01243 512310

E: birdhampool@aquavista.com

W: www.aquavista.com

LITTLEHAMPTON MARINA

Berthing Manager: Darren Humphries

Ferry Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DS

T: 01903 713553

F: 01903 732264

E: sales@littlehamptonmarina.co.uk

W: www.littlehamptonmarina.co.uk

LITTLEHAMPTON YACHT CLUB

Rope House, Rope Walk Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5DH

O ce: Fiona Boyce: 01903 713 996

Berthing Master: Bill Kellett

T: 01903 732 926

F: 01903 725 911

E: fiona@littlehamptonyachtclub.co.uk

W: www.littlehamptonyachtclub.co.uk

PREMIER MARINAS BRIGHTON

Manager: Mike Hatch

West Jetty, Brighton, East Sussex. BN2 5UP

T: 01273 819919 F: 01273 675082

Manager: Carl Jarmaine

Gunwharf Quays, Marina O ce Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TZ

T: 02392 836732

E: gwqmarina@incentive-fm.com

W: www.gunwharf-quays.com/marina

ISLE OF WIGHT

COWES YACHT HAVEN

Manager: Katy Ednay

Vectis Yard, High Street, Cowes, PO31 7BD

T: 01983 299975

F: 01983 200332

E: berthing@cowesyachthaven.com

W:www.cowesyachthaven.com

VHF: Channel 80

EAST COWES MARINA BY BOATFOLK

Manager: Mike Townshend

Britannia Way, East Cowes Isle of Wight. PO32 6UB

T: 01983 293983

F: 01983 299276

E: eastcowes@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

Manager: Tom Ward Northney Road, Hayling Island, PO11 0NH

T: 023 9246 6321

E: northney@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.northneymarina.co.uk

MDL SPARKES MARINA

Manager: James Rizzi 38 Wittering Road, Hayling Island Hampshire. PO11 9SR

T: 023 9246 3572

E: sparkes@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.sparkesmarina.co.uk

BIRDHAM POOL MARINA

Birdham, Chichester, W Sussex. PO20 7BG

T: 01243 512310

E: info@birdhampool.co.uk

W: www.birdhampool.co.uk

PREMIER MARINAS CHICHESTER

Manager: Andrew Collumbell Birdham (Chichester Harbour) West Sussex. PO20 7EJ

T: 01243 512731

E: chichester@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

E: brighton@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

PREMIER MARINAS EASTBOURNE

Manager: Dan Heckford

Sovereign Harbour, North Lockside, Pacific Drive, Eastbourne. BN23 5BJ

T: 01323 470099 F: 01323 470077

sovereignharbour@premiermarinas.com

W: www.premiermarinas.com

SMALL BOATS WELCOME

NEWHAVEN MARINA

Manager/Contact: Russell Levett

Newhaven Marina, The Yacht Harbour, Fort Road, Newhaven, BN9 9BY

T: +44 (0)1273 513 881

E: info@newhavenmarina.co.uk

W: www.newhavenmarina.co.uk

LADY BEE MARINA, SHOREHAM PORT

Manager: Julian Goldie

Lady Bee Marina and Chandlery, 138-140 Albion Street, Southwick. BN42 4EG.

T: 01273 591705

E: LBChandlery@shoreham-port.co.uk

W:www.shoreham-port.co.uk/chandlery

Image: Bucklers Hard

Image: Falmouth Harbour

KENT

GILLINGHAM MARINA

Manager: Chris Aldous 173 Pier Road, Gillingham, Kent. ME7 1UB

T: 01634 280022

E: berthing@gillingham-marina.co.uk

W: www.gillingham-marina.co.uk

MDL CHATHAM MARITIME MARINA

Manager: Emma Crompton

The Lock Building, Leviathan Way, Chatham Maritime, Kent. ME4 4LP

T: 01634 899200

E: chatham@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: chathammaritimemarina.co.uk

MEDWAY YACHT CLUB

Contact: Sue Bannister

Lower Upnor, Rochester, ME2 4XB

T: 01634 718399

W:www.medwayyachtclub.com

PORT OF DOVER MARINA

Manager: Chris Windsor Dover Marina O ce

Esplanade

DOVER

Kent, CT17 9FS

T : +44 (0) 1304 241663

E: marina@portofdover.com

W: portofdover.com/marina

SURREY

MDL PENTON HOOK MARINA

Manager: Dean Smith Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey. KT16 8PY

T: 01932 568681

E: pentonhook@mdlmarinas.co.uk

SUFFOLK

MDL WOOLVERSTONE MARINA

Manager: Shane Cheshire

Woolverstone, Ipswich, Su olk. IP9 1AS

T: 01473 780206

E: woolverstone@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk

LOWESTOFT HAVEN MARINA

Manager: Bob Beare

Lowestoft Haven Marina (twin site), School Road and Hamilton Dock, Marina

O ce, School Road, Lowestoft, Su olk NR33 9NB

T: 01502 580300 F: 01502 581851

E: lowerstofthaven@abports.co.uk

W: lowestofthavenmarina.co.uk

FOX’S MARINA & BOATYARD

Marina Manager: Lee Gilson

Fox’s Marina, Ipswich, Su olk, IP2 8SA

T: +44 1473 689111

E: foxs@foxsmarina.com

W: www.foxsmarina.com

ESSEX

FAMBRIDGE YACHT HAVEN

Manager: Danyal Adams

Chelmsford, CM3 6LU

T: 01621 740370

E: fambridge@yachthavens.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

WALES

ABERYSTWYTH MARINA

Manager:Adam Knowles

NEYLAND YACHT HAVEN

Manager: James Cotton

Brunel Quay, Pembrokeshire, SA73 1PY

T: 01646 601601

E: neyland@yachthavens.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

PORT DINORWIC MARINA

Marina Manager: Charlotte Dawson

Y Felinheli, Gwynedd LL56 4JN

T:01248671500/01248 670176

E: Info@themarinegroup.co.uk

W: www.themarinegroup.co.uk

BURRY PORT MARINA

Harbour Master: Robert Hockey

The Harbour O ce, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire

T:01554 835 691

E: Info@themarinegroup.co.uk

W: www.themarinegroup.co.uk

N. IRELAND

BANGOR MARINA

Manager: Kevin Baird Bangor, Co. Down T: 02891 45329

E: bangor@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

CARRICKFERGUS MARINA

Harbour Master: Ryan Hack

Marina Manager: Karen Steelen

3 Quayside, Carrickfergus , BT38 8BJ

T: 028 9336 6666

E: harbour.master@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

W: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

BRISTOL

PORTISHEAD MARINA

SCOTLAND

RHU MARINA

Contact: Suzanne Bell

Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LH

T: 01436 820238

E: rhu@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

LARGS YACHT HAVEN

Manager: Dave Hewitt Irvine Road, Largs, Ayrshire, KA30 8EZ

T: 01475 675333

E: largs@yachthavens.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

TROON YACHT HAVEN

Manager: Stephen Bennie

The Harbour, Troon, Ayrshire, KA10 6DJ

T: 01292 315553

E: troon@yachthavens.com

W: www.yachthavens.com

SPAIN

MDL SANT CARLES MARINA

Manager: Nicolas Gonzalez Ctra Poble Nou s/n, Apartat de Correus 192, 43540, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain

T: (0034) 9777 45153

T (UK): 023 8045 0227 enquiries@santcarlesmarina.com

W: www.santcarlesmarina.com

N CYPRUS

KARPAZ GATE MARINA

Customer Service: Mucella Kara PO Box 12

Yenierenkoy, Iskele

TRNC

Via Mersin 10 / Turkey

T: +90 533 833 7878

E: info@karpazbay.com

W: www.karpazbay.com

Y Lanfa Aberystwyth, Trefechan SY23 1AS

T: 01970 611422

E: aber@themarinegroup.co.uk

W: www.themarinegroup.co.uk

CARDIFF MARINA

W: www.pentonhookmarina.co.uk

BERKSHIRE

MDL WINDSOR MARINA

Manager: John Harris Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire. SL4 5TZ

T: 01753 853911

E: windsor@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.windsormarina.co.uk

MDL BRAY MARINA

Manager: John Harris Monkey Island Lane, Bray, Berkshire. SL6 2EB

T: 01628 623654

E: bray@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.braymarina.co.uk

LANCASHIRE

AQUAVISTA GLASSON

WATERSIDE & MARINA

School Lane, Glasson Dock, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 0AW

T: 01524 751491

E: glasson@aquavista.com

Manager: Andy Coles OBE

Watkiss Way, Cardi . CF11 0SY

T: 02920 396078

F: 02920 345116

E: info@themarinegroup.co.uk

W: www.themarinegroup.co.uk

CONWY MARINA

Manager – Jon Roberts

Conwy Marina Ellis Way, LL32 8GU

T: 01492 593000

E: conwy@boatfolk.co.uk

W:www.boatfolk.co.uk

MILFORD MARINA

Manager or contact: Melanie Durney

Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 3AF

Tel: 01646 696312

E: enquiries@milfordmarina.com

W: www.milfordmarina.com

Manager: Simon Davis

Portishead, Bristol BS20 7DF

T: 01275 841941

E: portishead@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

NEWCASTLE

ROYAL QUAYS MARINA

Manager: Matt Simms

North Shields, Tyneside NE29 6DU

T: 0191 2728282

E: royalquays@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

YORKSHIRE

AQUAVISTA HULL WATERSIDE & MARINA

Warehouse 13, Kingston Street, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 2DQ

T: 01482 609960

E: hull@aquavista.com

HOLLAND

JACHTHAVEN BIESBOSCH

Manager: Maarten Voskuil

Nieuwe Jachthaven 54924 BA, Drimmelen, NL

T: +31 (0)162 682249

E: info@jachthavenbiesbosch.nl

W: www.jachthavenbiesbosch.nl

ITALY

MARINARA

Front Desk: Federica Civilla

Via Marinara 11, Marina di Ravenna, 48122 Italy

T: (0039) 0544 531644

E: info@marinara.it

W: www.marinara.it

W: www.aquavista.com

LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL MARINA

PENARTH MARINA

Manager: Stuart Jones

Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, F64 1TQ

T: 02920 705021

E: penarth@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.aquavista.com

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

Manager:Daniel O’Dea

Liverpool Marina, Coburg Wharf, L34BP

T: 0151 707 6777

E: reception@liverpoolmarina.com

E: manager@liverpoolmarina.com

W: www.liverpoolmarina.com

TWith Paul Antrobus

In the drink

BY PAUL ANTROBUS

he wine expert on a BBC Saturday Kitchen Live show suggested a low-alcohol wine for the menu being prepared, declaring she was sure that ‘mid-point’ abv for wine is growing into a trend which will supersede the slightly gimmicky interest in totally alco-free wines.

The South Australian winery Oxford Landing agrees and has launched a white Chardonnay and red Shiraz brand called Sunlight, both at the ‘mid-point’ strength and specifically aimed at the UK market.

The standard abv for wine across most of the world is 13 to15 per cent, so mid-point would be around seven per cent. Exactly where Oxford Landing has set the Sunlight pair. They say the wines are “Light in alcohol and in calories and have been crafted to deliver full flavours of rich blackcurrant and hints of spice and vanilla”.

Andrew La Nauze, winemaker at Oxford Landing, told Harpers drinks trade magazine that Sunlight is aimed at consumers looking to moderate their alcohol intake, a trend that is gaining traction.

There is also the tax point to take into consideration, introduced here last year at 12.5 per cent abv. Oxford Landing’s

Chardonnay and Shiraz, which are already big sellers in the UK, come in at 11.5 per cent.

But even if those in the business are convinced we are looking for mid-strength wines, there is little or no evidence of this in supermarkets. They prominently display their noalcohol products, but you have to scour the shelves to find any at less than 11 per cent. In Tesco I found Silver Bay Point red and white wine at eight per cent and costing £3.95.

At drydrinker.com you can buy The Gentle brand red, white and rosé, all six per cent and £9.99 a bottle. They also stock McGuigan Mid Shiraz mid alcohol wine at seven per cent, £7.99.

My favourite lower abv wine is Portuguese Vinho Verde which was created at 11 per cent but now trades at nine per cent. Por do Sol is a good one, refreshing and ever so slightly spritz, £5.25 at Tesco (see AAS May ’23).

There are other mid-point wines. One in my fridge is called First Cape Café Collection, also

from Australia and 5.5 per cent abv. It is labelled as a ‘fresh and fruity reduced alcohol wine based drink’ but remains unopened so far.

Sunlight was initially available from Sainsbury’s but recently has been out of stock. This may change but for now it seems the Oxford Landing dream is an aspiration rather than an actuality and we will have to wait and see. Keep your eyes open for it or any other midpoint brand.

Zero, on the other hand… No-alcohol wines, spirits and beers are well established in the UK, necessary because some people cannot or choose not to drink alcohol. All the main beer brands, from Guinness to Peroni, are now piling in with zero options under their main brand name and look like eclipsing the seeding job done by the small independent brewers. The main brands of gin, rum and other spirits are doing a similar job, whereas zero per cent wines are more a matter of personal taste.

Editor

07940 240390 editor@allatsea.co.uk

Art Editor Mark Hyde design@allatsea.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Marianne Rickard

Contributors David Henshall Paul Antrobus

Advertising and Distribution 0776 5811290 advertising@allatsea.co.uk www.allatsea.co.uk/getthepaper