All At Sea March 2023

NEW CHAPTER FOR PRINCESS YACHTS

KPS Capital Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling equity interest in Plymouthbased Princess Yachts.

The moves come after the luxury yacht builder announced expansion plans last year as part of the successful bid by Plymouth City Council to create a Freeport in the region. Princess Yachts believes this new investment will help support these plans and reinforce the unique national and international marine capabilities in Plymouth and the wider South West region.

Antony Sheriff, CEO Princess Yachts, said: “We are thrilled to partner with KPS for this exciting new chapter for Princess Yachts. KPS and the Princess Yachts team are deeply committed to investing in the company’s future while continuing to further strengthen our portfolio of best-inclass motor yachts. With a current order book nearing a record $1 billion and many

CHAMPION RETIRES

model lines sold into 2025, we have never been in a stronger commercial position.”

Ryan Harrison, a partner of KPS MidCap Investments, added: “We are excited to make this significant investment in Princes Yachts, a leading company in the luxury global yachting industry with an iconic brand grounded in British tradition, a remarkable and growing product range and worldwide reputation for quality and innovation.

“KPS’ investment will accelerate Princess’ growth trajectory and fund numerous investments for its future. We look forward to working with Princess’ existing stockholders, CEO Antony Sheriff, the senior leadership team and the talented employee base at Princess Yachts.”

Existing shareholders will retain ownership in the company with completion of the transaction expected in the first quarter of 2023.

3D-PRINTED ‘VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE’ SUPERYACHT

With reflective ‘Solar Wings’ the futuristic yacht Pegasus is the world’s first 3d printed superyacht solarelectric/hydrogen hybrid with zero emissions and a multi-level ‘Tree of Life’ hydroponic garden.

Eilidh McIntyre, who fulfilled her lifelong dream of winning a gold medal at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, is retiring from Olympic campaigning.

The 28-year-old topped the podium in the women’s 470 class alongside Hannah Mills, and in doing so matched the gold medal won by her father Mike at Seoul 1988. The win also helped Hannah Mills become the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time.

For the Paris 2024 cycle, however, the 470 class is moving to mixed gender pairs, with Eilidh teaming up with Martin Wrigley, a training partner for Luke Patience and Chris Grube for Tokyo. Despite the duo finishing inside the top 10 at every event they have competed at, Eilidh came to the decision that she was not on course to win gold at Paris 2024.

She explained: “I did a lot of soul searching and had a lot of conversations with people I really value, and I have come to the decision to step away from Olympic sailing. It is not a decision I have taken lightly. I have loved the last 13 years doing this, and winning a gold medal at Tokyo was the absolute highlight of my career.

DID YOU KNOW…

“But for me the Olympics is about fighting it out for the win, and I want to be at the Olympics to do that. I do not believe that in the timeframe of this Olympic cycle that it is something I am able to do, so I am choosing to step away.”

A 470 sailor for her entire time with the British Sailing Team, Eilidh tasted early success alongside Sophie Weguelin. The pair pushed Hannah Mills and her then partner Saskia Clark hard during the selection trials for Rio 2016, just missing out on the one spot with Team GB.

However, Hannah and Eilidh went on to team up and became a formidable partnership with numerous medals, including gold at the 2019 World Championship, and culminating in the ultimate prize at Tokyo 2020.

Subsequently, Eilidh and Hannah were named 2021 Rolex World Sailors of the Year and Eilidh was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to sailing.

As for the future, the Olympian plans to explore opportunities in professional sailing, while also starting a property business alongside her sister.

Sailing is one of the longest running Olympic sports with a debut at the world games in 1900.Since then, it was omitted only once in the 1904 Summer Olympics.

The desire for ‘invisibility’ drove designer Jozeph Forakis to develop a true zero emissions yacht that is “invisible both in design and in her environmental impact”. The exterior designfeatures a multi-tiered ‘wings’ superstructure with mirrored glass reflecting the sky, clouds and surrounding environment.

The 88m superyacht’s construction uses robotic 3D printing to create a mesh framework integrating both hull and superstructure. The result is an extraordinarily strong and lightweight structure that can be produced using less energy, material, waste, space and time compared to conventional construction.

The centrepiece of the futuristic interior designis the multi-level ‘Tree of Life’ - a living, breathing monument to mother nature and the nucleus of the hydroponic garden providing fresh food and air purification.

The visionary Pegasus is envisioned for introduction in 2030.

COMPARISON SITE NOW OFFERS BOAT INSURANCE

MoneySuperMarket has branched out into boat insurance after partnering with Atec Group to offer direct-to-consumer boat insurance price comparison through the brand InsureMy.

InsureMy says it has “put together a panel of specialist marine insurers to provide cover for a range of boats from sailing yachts, narrowboats and motor cruisers through to jet skis, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfs and surfboards” – including cover for full time liveaboards.

James O’Hara, commercial director at Atec, explained: “Despite the impact of Covid, sales in new and used boats grew by nine per cent in 2020 and a further two per cent in 2021, while paddleboarding is thought to be the fastest-growing sport in the world, with sales in the UK more than doubling in the last year, so there has never been a greater demand for marine insurance products.”

Turn to page 16 for some great insurance advice from Craftinsure and Pantaenius.

ALL ABOARD

By Jane Hyde

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

Spring is here! It’s getting dark noticeably later and, even better, the clocks change on 26 March. We might lose an hour on that day, but it is definitely worth it to have more hours of daylight. Hours many of us will no doubt use to stay out on the water for longer.

However, the temperature is still relatively cool, and it is important that we wear the appropriate clothing. So, we asked Zhik for their advice when it comes to choosing the best gear for inshore sailing. You can read their great tips on page 19. Next month they will be back with ideas for the best gear to wear for stand up paddleboarding.

We have also been finding out about the technology behind some of our sailing gear with Musto’s Lucy Davis on page 18. This month’s Shorestyle has some great clothing too; perhaps you need some new gear for an early season getaway?

In our first two issues of 2023 we brought you extended boating holiday pages to help you choose and plan this year’s getaway. If you missed them you can still read them in our digital holiday special at www.allatsea.co.uk. Turn to page 24 for more holiday news and advice in this issue’s two-page guide. For those of you preparing for the season ahead we have also put together some important boat insurance information courtesy of Craftinsure and Pantaenius. Turn to page 16 for money saving advice and a fantastic guide to boat insurance.

Next month will see the return of All at Sea’s annual events guide, and there are lots of fantastic shows, festivals and regattas coming up, so do not miss it. If there are boating events happening at your sailing club, marina or town let us know and we will include them.

Ahead of that, though, we have a pair of tickets to April's London Luxury Afloat, plus a complementary bottle of champagne, to give away on page 21. You can now also get hold of your show tickets; find out more in the news pages. It seems a long way off right now, but just a heads up that Southampton International Boat Show tickets are available too; head over to the show’s website to find out more.

In this month’s news pages you can catch up with February’s SBS BoatLife, discover an exciting race up-date from The Maiden Factor and, on page 12, see some shocking pictures from Sydney’s SailGP. Weather certainly left its mark on the event, which had to be cancelled after day one.

Sadly extreme weather events are all too common, but they are not just a recent occurrence. This month’s Dougal on Tour, on page 22, looks back at the devastating 1953 floods which were one of the worst natural disasters in British history.

I still remember, as a child, seeing the markers showing the high water mark in Leigh-on-Sea and being fascinated by the thought that the water had reached that level but having no comprehension of the devastation it had caused. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the floods, a film has been made which contains archive footage. You can see it on the All at Sea Facebook page. Events have also been taking place to give people a chance to come together and remember those who lost their lives.

I will leave you to enjoy the issue, and the arrival of spring...

WIN WITH ALL AT SEA

GET READY TO RACE

Entries are open for the 2023 edition of the Round the Island Race, which takes place on 1 July. Few things can compare to the sight of hundreds of boats racing, whether you are within the fleet or spectating onshore from one of the many vantage points around the Isle of Wight. The huge fleet is split into classes of similarly matched ratings and will start from the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes. The race celebrates the varied collection of sailors that compete, all of whom love to have a cracking day out on the water. It is rare to find a sporting occasion that encourages enthusiastic amateurs to compete against the elite pros and Olympians, all on an equal footing and around the same racecourse.

Race director, David Atkinson said: “We cannot wait for this year’s edition of the race; I have ordered a moderate south-westerly breeze and lots of sunshine!

"I would say if you only race once this year, make it the Round the Island Race - we guarantee you will have a wonderful time with your friends and family. We know everyone loves

THIS MONTH

POWER TALK ..................................13

Have you come across sticky fuel?

Plus, electric outboards, Yamaha on show and a project to develop sustainable propulsion solutions.

KIT BAG ............................................14

New chartplotters, along with a battery box and some innovative onboard kit.

SHORESTYLE ..................................14

Some of the gear we spotted at last month's RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, plus the SunGod x INEOS Britannia sunglasses collection.

HOT TOPIC ......................................16

Craftinsure shares money-saving advice for anyone looking into insuring their boat.

FACING FACTS ................................17

Savvy insurance tips for new boaters from Pantaenius UK.

SHOOTIN’ THE BREEZE ................18

We catch up with Lucy Davis, a sailing designer with Musto.

WHAT TO WEAR ............................19

Choosing the best gear for inshore sailing.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH ...............20

Keep sending in your photos and you could be in the next issue!

COMPETITION ................................21

Win tickets to London Luxury Afloat, plus a bottle of champagne!

COMPETITION ............................... 21

With Mother’s Day this month, win a handmade silver whale necklace.

FLOOD OF MEMORIES ................. 22

David Henshall looks back at what led to the devastating floods of 1953 and what we learnt from the disaster.

BRITISH MARINE ........................... 23

Check out British Marine’s ‘Find a member’ tool.

to continue the fun onshore after the race so we are planning some après-race parties on the Saturday evening.

“Our team will be there to support all the competitors as they plan their race, including some great online tools such as blogs, videos and webinars.”

B&G’s experts will be hosting some exclusive webinar events for participants to help them get the most out of their electronics as they prepare for race day. Experts will also be on-site in the run-up to the start to assist with any lastminute queries.

Tracy Cox, global brand manager at B&G, said: “Our team of experts will be delivering tutorials and unpacking specific features to offer real insights into the capabilities of the electronics onboard.”

The Island Sailing Club, based on the Isle of Wight and organiser of this race for more than 90 years, is inviting race competitors to become members with an exclusive membership package. Contact the ISC office to find out more. www.roundtheisland.org.uk

MARINA GUIDE .............................32

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

SAIL AWAY ..................................... 24

We have two pages packed with holiday news and ideas.

CRUISING ASSOCIATION .............26

This month’s Cruising Association news includes important up-dates from its Regulatory & Technical Services group.

PUZZLE PAGE ................................ 28

Grab a cuppa and see if you can complete this month’s puzzles.

MARINA FOCUS .............................30

Penarth Marina can be found in the historic basins of Penarth Docks in Cardiff Bay.

Image: Paul Wyeth

ORIENT EXPRESS TEAM

Last month we brought you news of the French America’s Cup entry (K-Challenge), and since then the Accor hotel group has committed to the French challenge, naming its Orient Express brand as title partner.

K-Challenge, now Orient Express Team, has been working for months to ensure that France will not only compete in this edition of the America’s Cup, but perform. To this end, the French team has signed a technology agreement with the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand.

Stéphan Kandler founded K-Challenge in 2001 for a previous America’s Cup campaign. He was joined in 2021 by Bruno Dubois, and since then the partners have been dedicated to building a strong French team.

TWO BOAT TESTING BEGINS

America’s Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand has started its two boat testing programme on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

The benefits of the two boats squaring off were quick to appear for coach Ray Davies: “The boats were engaging so well from the outset and as a result you could definitely see some instant gains in communication between the guys and girls onboard, obviously keeping check on the other boat’s performance and moves which is really important as far as match racing goes.”

In campaigns long past the sight of two boats testing was a common occurrence, especially in the days of the IACC class used between 1992-2007. But not since 2012 has ETNZ had two boats together when a couple of SL33s were used to verify the significance of foiling vs non-foiling in the America’s Cup.

The 40ft one-design will be the boat used in the first two pre-regattas, and the Youth & Women’s America’sCupevents.

For the team, it is a ticket to more training; the delivery of the AC40 marks the start of a new two-boat training phase (this will increase to three later in the year with the arrival of the second AC40). With the launch and maintenance likely to be much simpler, the sailors will be able to continue training on the AC40 when the AC75 is out of the water for maintenance.

Stéphan said: “We very quickly entered discussions with the ETNZ, with whom we have had a very good relationship since the first K-Challenge campaign in 2003. The resulting technological partnership includes a latest generation design package to work from and we will build our own AC75 made in France. This partnership allows us to compete on equal terms.”

The AC75 Orient Express is scheduled to launch in spring 2024. In the meantime, the sailing team will train on an AC40, a smaller monohull that will also be used as the platform for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup.

Ashore, the team base in Barcelona will be set up and operational from summer 2023. Afloat, the team will alternate between training onboard the AC40 in Barcelona and racing on the SailGP circuit.

Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s first AC40 – delivered to the team base in Barcelona at the end of January – was christened last month. This second boat marks the start of a new phase of training towards the 2024 America’sCup. The boat had been due to arrive at the end of 2022 but was delayed to make changes to the structure following an assessment of damage to the ETNZ AC40 after a capsize in November.

INVITATIONS SENT OUT

The Women’s & Youth America’s Cup Regattas are two of the major highlights of AC37 in Barcelona, shining a spotlight on the next generation of America’s Cup sailors.

Expressions of interest have been strong with yacht clubs from 13 countries enquiring, some with established pools of Women’s and Youth talent, others with start-up teams looking to step up to the big time in one or both of the events.

With the six confirmed teams competing in the America’s Cup sealing the first six places in the Women’s & Youth events, the organisers have six remaining places in each event.

16:57 Page 1

Initial invitations are being sent to three teams that have registered interest for both regattas with strong and experienced challenges. Those entries are the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club of Canada with AC40 Team Canada as their team; a joint entry from the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club and the Royal Maas Yacht Club of the Netherlands with their team DutchSail and the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona of Spain, the host country of AC37, with Sail Team BCN.

That will leave three slots in the Youth America’s Cup and three in the Women’s America’s Cup and further invitations will be issued once an analysis of the remaining Expressions of Interest is complete.

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Yamahaoutboard,partsandservice–Jeanneau powerboats–Linderaluminiumboats–Rigiflex safetyboats–AB&ZodiacRIBs–Brokerage

Image: ETNZ

NEWS SNAPS

NEWS SNAPS

BUY A BUSINESS

Marine photography businesses

BoatPhotos.co.uk is to be offered for sale. With no reserve and a starting price of just 99p, eBay bidders will get a chance to become the new owner with bidding starting on 23 March. Owner Tony Toller said: “I started it as a weekend hobby in 2005, but the business proved incredibly popular and sales boomed. In spite of selling my boat in 2018 and uploading very few new images since, orders are still coming in from the extensive catalogue of images providing an easy income of a few thousand pounds in the last financial year.”

STILL GOING STRONG

AkzoNobel Yacht Coatings is marking the 50th anniversary of its Awlgrip brand with celebrations and activities spanning over a year. In the five decades since its inception, the Awlgrip range has expanded to encompass finishes, primers, fillers and varnishes; a webpage on Awlgrip.com charts the history of the brand and unearths the fascinating hidden stories behind its evolution.

VENICE'S DRY CANALS

MAIDEN SET TO RACE THIS YEAR

The iconic yacht Maiden and her all-female crew will enter the 2023 Ocean Global Race starting in Europe in September.

Part of the ‘flyer class’, Maiden will be up against other historic Whitbread boats from the 1970s onwards.

Maiden will take a break from her world tour, which began in September 2021, having covered nearly 30,000nm visiting 20 destinations. The team has been engaging with schools, charities and organisations as part of a mission to educate, empower and elevate girls, increasing their life and career choices and also raising money to fund girls’ educational projects around the world.

The OGR will provide a great opportunity to amplify Maiden’s mission and the importance of educating all girls for better futures for all.

GREEN AWARD

Maiden, currently in Cape Town, South Africa, will sail back to the UK for final preparations, once again with a young female skipper and crew of up and coming sailors from around the world, who will no doubt inspire another generation of women and girls to follow their dreams.

Tracy Edwards MBE said: “We are very excited to take part in the 2023 Ocean Global Race, over 30 years since Maiden and the first all-female crew defied the odds in the 89/90 Whitbread race.

"Since then Maiden has become a Global Ambassador for the empowerment of girls through education and we have a young skipper and crew who will have the experience of a lifetime, just as we did all those years ago.”

CLUB COMING TO LOCH LOMOND

Freedom Boat Club’s newest Club will be at Loch Lomond, providing direct access to Scotland’s largest lake, famous for its scenery, mountains and large expanses of open water.

We have seen some astonishing images showing some of Venice’s dried up canals, resulting from a combination of factors including a lack of rain and a high pressure system. For tourists it means some canals cannot be navigated, but more serious impacts include ambulance boats not being able to get close to their destinations. Navigation has continued on the wider, main waterways, including the Grand and Giudecca canals. Read more and see the images at the All at Sea Facebook page. www.facebook.com/allatseanewspaper

FISHING COMPETITION

International ‘catch, photograph and release’ fishing competition, the Sea Angling Classic unveiled the event’s first prize at SBS BoatLife. The 745 Game King from Extreme Boats, powered by a 300hp V6 Yamaha outboard engine, complete with Yamaha Joystick Helm Master™ EX control system, and the Ultimate Fishing System from Lowrance, will be presented to the winner of the recreational boat angling category when the competition takes place over 14 - 18 June.

TRUST SUPPORT

More young people living through and beyond cancer will be inspired to believe in a brighter future thanks to a new partnership between the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Ancasta Group. To help more young people benefit from Trust support after cancer, for every new boat sold, Ancasta will donate the cost for one young person to go on a four-day sailing adventure with the Trust for the first time. Ancasta will also support the charity through team fundraising, volunteering and awareness-raising activities.

Returning for 2023 at the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 21 - 23 April, MDL’s Green Innovator Award is open for nominations.

Now in its second year, the award’s purpose is to distinguish products and services that are pioneering in sustainability, innovation and design. It is aimed at projects from both start-ups and established companies and highlights suppliers who are making a special effort towards environmentally sustainable practices and product development.

Nominations are open to every company exhibiting at the show, or any other business or organisation which has shown initiative in reducing its impact on the environment.

“The driver behind the creation of the Green Tech Boat Show, and its move to Southampton as an integral part of our popular South Coast Boat Show, was to shine a light on emerging green technology and promote sustainable

boating,” said Tim Mayer, sales and marketing director at MDL Marinas.

“The Green Innovator Award takes this one step further and publicly recognises the individual businesses and organisations for their endeavours in this arena, helping combat climate change and making boating as eco-friendly as possible.”

The winner of the 2023 Green Innovator Award will be announced on 22 April during the show, which is hosted at MDL’s Ocean Village Marina in the heart of Southampton.

The award is voted for by the public; to nominate a business or cast a vote, visit www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/green-award Voting closes on 21 April 2023.

Tickets to the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show are free and can be booked via www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/events/ boat-show-tickets. Appointments to view specific boats or meet with individual exhibitors can also be arranged.

DOGS AFLOAT

“After entering the UK market in 2021, we are thrilled to continue our growth into one of the world’s most stunning boating locations in the UK,” said Arturo Gutierrez, general manager, Freedom Boat Club EMEA.

“Loch Lomond is centrally located within one hour of more than 50 per cent of Scotland’s population, and we are confident that our best-in-class boat club model will attract a diverse demographic with a passion for the on-water lifestyle.”

The new location will be at Ardlui Marina, and the franchise will be led

by Mike Lally, who has owned and operated businesses in the region for the past 15 years.

“My wife and I have been following Freedom Boat Club since 2016, and when we found out a new location was opening here in the UK, we jumped at the opportunity to open one in Scotland,” said Mike.

“Having owned our own boat for years, I appreciate the convenience and the benefits a club like this will bring to the market. This will revolutionise how we access boating in Scotland.”

The new location is planned to open in early summer 2023 to kickoff the UK’s boating season. The location will initially open with new boats from Sea Ray. FreedomBoatClub.co.uk

LONDON SHOW NEXT MONTH

Tickets are available for London Luxury Afloat 2023, which takes place in the heart of the capital at St. Katharine Docks from 18 - 22 April.

Visitors will be able to take their time viewing a selection of luxurious craft side by side and enjoy personal tours with brand experts. The show also offers a unique environment for those looking to invest in their first boat, providing them with the chance to spend quality time with a myriad of exhibitors in a single location.

Confirmed are British luxury sailing yachts builder, Oyster Yachts, who will be showcasing the Oyster 565 and winner of the European Yacht of the Year, the Oyster 495.

Luxury performance motor yacht brand Sunseeker will be bringing three luxury models to the show.

To complement the yachts on display, there will be a selection of shoreside exhibitors featuring smaller craft and complementary products and services.

Ticket holders can also enjoy exclusive waterside hospitality. For marina access visitors will need to purchase a ticket, while access to shoreside exhibits is free.

Tickets cost £49.99 (Children 15 and under free with an adult ticket holder).

www.londonluxuryafloat.com/tickets

Win tickets to the show (and champagne!) on page 21.

LLA show preview coming next month!

Image: The Maiden Factor

Image: Paul Wyeth

The face of a contented dog –looking good Frankie!

Towel – tick; water – tick; lifejacket – tick... but where’s Forest’s dinner?

Image: Yulia Rettondini/Shutterstock

RACE TO NET ZERO BOOST

A multi-million-pound Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure competition has been launched to help decarbonise the UK’s maritime sector.

Zero-emission ferries, cruises and cargo ships will set sail in UK waters within two years, creating thousands of new jobs, thanks to a £77 million government investment in clean maritime technology. The funding will take the tech from the factory to the sea – identifying which projects will have a long-term impact in reducing emissions.

Successful projects must show they could use the money to work with major UK ports and operators to launch a zero-emission vessel by 2025 at the latest. Examples of such technology include battery electric vessels, shoreside electrical power, ships running on low carbon fuels like hydrogen or ammonia and wind-assisted ferries.

WINNING PIC!

Here is Teresa Simmonds at Chew Valley Sailing Club, in the South West, holding a copy of the last issue. It is Teresa’s fabulous photo gracing the cover of February's All at Sea, after she won 2022 Reader Photo of the Year. See this month’s reader photos on page 20, and find out how you can enter!

Defence Secretary and Shipbuilding Tsar, Ben Wallace, said: “This investment is a clear statement that we are taking these plans seriously, helping to put the UK at the cutting edge of clean maritime technology while benefitting thousands of UK jobs.”

The government is also calling on universities across the UK to join forces to establish a new Clean Maritime Research Hub, with £7.4 million funding from government and additional funding from academia and industry.

Research in the fundamental science behind clean maritime technologies will be delivered by the hub, building evidence and expertise for the maritime sector. It will also support skills development across the industry and generate knowledge for maritime decision-makers.

ZERO EMISSION IMOCA COMING

British ocean racer Phil Sharp has announced the build of a new zero emission IMOCA ahead of the 2024 Vendée Globe.

This new monohull, designed by Manuard, is under construction using existing moulds that have been recycled and reworked. Due to be launched in the summer, the yacht will compete in the IMOCA Globe Series starting with the Transat Jacques Vabre in the autumn, followed by a return qualifying race for the Vendée Globe 2024.

Managed by OceansLab, a sustainable sports management company, this new IMOCA will see a unique and innovative ocean racing campaign with the clear aim of demonstrating scalable clean technologies within the maritime sector. The OceansLab IMOCA will also be the first to exclusively use hydrogen fuel cell technology, thanks to a ‘Hydrogen Power Module’, created and developed by the

team at Genevoswhere Phil Sharp, who has a passion for renewable energy innovation, is a co-founder.

Phil said: “Replacing fossil fuel power with renewable energy solutions is an important step forward not only for our sport, but the entire maritime sector. Ultimately, I am sailing to win races, while also proving that by using the latest clean technologies, this can be done with zero emissions.”

As well as hydrogen fuel cell technology, OceansLab will be demonstrating how other crucial clean innovations, such as recyclable composite materials and solar PV, can perform together to create an ecoefficient yacht.

“In order to meet climate change targets we need to start developing zero emission vessels across the entire maritime sector, today. This campaign will be an important benchmark in demonstrating that practical hydrogen solutions now exist that are ready to be embraced at scale,” concluded Phil.

NEWS SNAPS

NEWS SNAPS

THAMES VISION

The Port of London Authority has begun a major master planning exercise to realise the growth opportunities along the Thames known as the Thames Vision 2050.The vision sets out future priorities for the river around three themes: Trading Thames, Destination Thames and Natural Thames. “Through the master planning process we will build in the local detail, drawing out the opportunities for trade, travel, sport and nature along the Thames and its riparian hinterland,” said director of planning and development at the PLA, James Trimmer.

CHARGING NETWORK

Delphia Yachts and Aqua superPower have announced a partnership which will see them working together to support Delphia dealers and customers with a widespread electric boat charging network. They will also promote clean and silent electric boating to end-users and marinas with joint events and identify potential research projects which would be beneficial to blue innovation and clean marine technology development.

SAM GOODCHILD

Sam Goodchild has joined TR Racing sailing the former LinkedOut. Sam, currently racing in The Ocean Race, said: "I will benefit from a high level of expertise to learn fast and perform as early as 2023, while aiming for the next Vendée Globe."

NEWS SNAPS

NEWS SNAPS

RNLI’S NEW CHAIR

The RNLI has appointed Janet Legrand KC (Hon) as its new Chair.RNLI Acting Chair, Janet Cooper, said: “Janet brings extensive experience of chairing large organisations, working with diverse groups and helping organisations deliver a charitable mission while evolving and responding to challenges. Her understanding of the worlds of education and volunteering, as well as her commitment to diversity and equality, will be of huge benefit to the charity as we approach our 200thyear and during a time when demand for our services is higher than ever.”

WINNING READER

The winner of January’s 'Cruising Association membership for two for a year' competiton was Patricia Bucknall. Enter this month’s competitions on pages 10 and 21.

ITALIA ON THEIR WAY

Italia Yachts is coming to the UK following the news that the YachtMatch Group is partnering with Hamble Point Yacht Charters. Models from Italia Yachts range from a basic racing yacht to luxurious turn-key yachts with two versions of each: Fuoriserie (regatta) and Bellissima (short-handed).

NEW AT LYMINGTON

Lymington Sailability has appointed Nick Jacobs as its new Chair. Nick has a strong vision for the direction of the charity saying: “I look forward to working together with our wonderful volunteers bringing fun on the water for our many sailors.”

Volunteer Dudley Freshwater added: “We have such a great new team to open our exciting 2023 season this April. People who want to sail or volunteer are always welcome to be part of our vibrant charity.” www.lymingtonsailability.com

YOUTH CHAMPS

World Sailing has announced that the host venue of the 2023 Youth Sailing World Championships will be the coastal resort town of Armação dos Búzios, Brazil (8 – 16 December), and the 2024 edition is being planned for Lake Garda, Italy.In a new concept, it has been agreed, subject to contract, that World Sailing will work with several Italian clubs located on the lake, each with a wealth of tournament experience.

GC32 RACING TOUR

Competition for the one design flying catamarans of the GC32 Racing Tour will take place over three events and two venues in 2023. 24 - 28 May: GC32 Riva Cup, Riva del Garda, Italy

21 - 25 June: GC32 Lagos Cup, Lagos, Portugal

10 - 14 July: GC32 Lagos World Championship, Lagos, Portugal

All at Sea's spring events special is coming next month!

BATTLING TO THE FINISH

Skipper Kevin Escoffier and his Team Holcim-PRB won Leg 2 of The Ocean Race from Cabo Verde to Cape Town after a tense battle through the final miles of the race.

With hours to go, four teams were inthe fight for the leg win, with Biotherm, 11th Hour Racing Team and the HolcimPRBcrews racing in lockstep in light and changeable conditions. Team Malizia was just some 20 miles to the south.

Just three hours before the finish, Kevin Escoffier and his team finally popped up at the head of the rankings, having been able to sail a slightly better angle at a similar speed towards Cape Town.

Remarkably, Paul Meilhat and his crew on Biotherm crossed the line just 16 minutes later, on their way to pipping Charlie Enright and his team on 11th Hour Racing Team Mãlama to the post by no more than nine minutes.

This is the second consecutive leg win for Team Holcim-PRB, whichtherefore maintains a perfect record and extendsits advantage onthe leaderboard.

With Holcim-PRB now sitting on 10 points, Mãlama in second place on seven

and Biotherm, which sees Britain Sam Davies join the team for Leg 3, a point further back on six, the race is nicely set-up for the massive challenge of Leg 3, which scores double points.

Sam Goodchild, on Holcim-PRB, knows the boats will be on the limit during the marathon Leg 3 to Brazil:“Everyone has little technical problems, but fortunately we are all here in South Africa,”he said.“I hope that on the next leg, everyone will make it to the end too.”

There was a concern, however, about 11th Hour Racing Team ahead of Leg 3. The team needed to replace its foils due to damage, but the rules specify teams are only allowed to use one set of foils. A team may apply for permission to replace a foil that “suffers serious damage that cannot be repaired before a Leg start”. This permission was granted, allowing the team to continue in the race.

Leg 3 of the race from Cape Town to Itajaí, Brazil, which began on 26 February, takes the fleet on a monstrous 12,750nm Southern Ocean passage three-quarters of the way around the bottom of the world.

DOLPHIN ESCORT

Each year the CA runs a photo competition for members, who are invited to enter photos which capture a moment of cruising life through a lens.

Professional marine photographer Paul Wyeth (pwpictures.com) came onboard as the judge to cast his expert eye across over 144 entries. Entitled ‘Dolphin Escort’ the winner was James Kenning’s photo of dolphins playing by the bow of his boat Arkyla off the coast of Portugal.

“It was a pleasure to be asked to judge the CA Photo competition. There was an amazing range of images submitted, which made choosing a winner very difficult,” said Paul.

“The really wide angle makes for an arresting image that makes you want to grab your sailing kit and go cruising. I love the energy with the dolphins playing under the bow and crew having an equally great time!”

Commenting on the shot James Kenning explained: “For a long time, I have

THOUSANDS VISIT BOATLIFE SHOW

Last month SBS BoatLife drew in 14,000 visitors over four days at the NEC, putting this Midlands show firmly on the map.

This year’s event saw the addition of a number of new features including the Marine Power Suzuki Angling Zone, GJW Activity Pool and Isuzu & SBS Trailers experiences. There were also various demos, 40 speakers and have-a-go sessions on the pool.

tried but failed miserably to take a worthy dolphin shot using my usual DSLR camera equipment.For this shot I decided to sacrifice image quality to increase my odds of capturing a unique composition.

"I used a GoPro 360 on a long selfie stick, with the camera set to record video rather than stills. This way I was able to review the footage, then screengrab the best moment showing boat, crew and dolphins.”

BOOK YOUR CAPTAIN’S MATE TOUR: Book yourself an online tour of the awardwinning CAptain’s Mate, CA’s exclusive to members cruising app, designed to share information amongst its members. Home to 7,500+ locations in 100+ countries, CAptain’s Mate includes 20,000+ trusted member-sourced reports, along with practical advice, visual location aids, marine discounts and cruising information in one interface. Book your online tour with one of the CA team at www.theca.org.uk/ public/captainsmate

In total there were more than 200 boats displayed, including power, narrowboats, dinghies, RIBs and watersports. Not forgetting the craft, services, holidays and accessories on show.

Richard Dove, MD BoatLife Events Ltd, said: “What has struck me is the definite beginnings of the community that we always wanted to create. To see this coming together in only year two is extremely positive. The team has worked incredibly hard on the show, and I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved.”

Green tech was well represented with Mastervolt, Torqueedo and Solar Technology, while brands exhibiting RIBs and motorboats included The Wolf Rock Boat Company who showcased models from Idea Marine, Iron Boats and Brig, alongside impressive exhibits from Moomba and Supra, Highfield RIBs and Suzuki Marine. A great range of Buster RIBs were on show, with brand exhibitors The Aluminium Boat

Company

Of the show Andrew Adams, Parker Adams, said: “SBS BoatLife has been fantastic, there is a really wide range of visitors and a diversity of customers who come to the show. It has been great to see them travel from all over the country. We are excited and will definitely come back. It is really important to be at, and support, shows like this.”

New to the event, Chris Clayton at Seaward Boats said: “It has been a great first show for us, we are so pleased to be here and getting really positive feedback. We have already started talking to the sales team about booking in for next year.”

Looking ahead to 2024, the show dates have been confirmed as 15-18 February at the NEC, Birmingham.

The Princess Royal re-commissions Boleh with a cider pouring ceremony on deck Image: Paul Wyeth

proving a pull as well as a UK debut from H20 Leisure with Centurion Ri230 and Scarab 285 powerboats.

Elation onboard Team Holcim-PRB as they cross the line in first place to take Leg 2 of The Ocean Race

Image: James Kenning

Image: Sailing Energy / The Ocean Race

All at Sea was available at SBS BoatLife as well!

Dover’s stunning new outer marina to open soon

The star feature of Dover’s vibrant new waterfront, to open on 1st April 2023, making it the premier destination for the sailing community to connect in the South East.

Stunning backdrop set against the iconic White Cli s, Dover is a place that breathes local history and charm.

A transformed and vibrant waterfront with its new marina pier and curve, is attracting a range of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants and hosts a developing entertainment programme of music and events. Joining the businesses already on the waterside, work is set to begin soon on The Electric Hotel, café and bar.

These unrivalled new facilities enable berth holders to take full advantage of their new home, whilst o ering visitors an exciting destination to experience.

+44 (0)1304 241663

marina@doverport.com

portofdover.com

WIN A COPY!

Mediterranean Almanac 2023-24

Edited by Lucinda Heikell / £34.50

The essential marine data resource for yachts sailing the Mediterranean, the Imray Mediterranean Almanac is published biennially with updates available in a downloadable supplement at the end of the first year.

It includes:

■ Data, waypoints and contacts for all major harbours and marinas throughout the Mediterranean Sea plus Atlantic islands.

■ Weather sources for radio, internet and apps

■ Information on lights and buoys

■ Maritime regulations, marine reserves and traffic schemes

■ Coast radio stations and frequencies

■ GMDSS safety and distress communications

There are harbour plans throughout, with the familiar Imray cartography which adds clarity to their use. There are the usual detailed revisions throughout this edition, plus many new harbour plans.

For a chance to win this book enter by email toeditor@allatsea.co.uk with the subject header Almanac Book Competition or at www.allatsea.co.uk, plus you can enter via our weekly newsletter – sign up at www.allatsea.co.uk/aasnewsletter.

Q: How often is the Mediterranean Almanac published?

Closing date: 28/3/23

See competition T&Cs on page 38.

CLUB PROMOTES YOUTH SAILORS

Across the Menai Straits from Anglesey, over the Lafan Sands, Llanfairfechan is nestled between Bangor and Conwy at the foot of the mountains.

Established in 1960, Llanfairfechan Sailing Club has been an active club both socially and on the water, especially in the last three years when they have increased the number of women sailors through the Lafan Ladies project with a new Wayfarer and safety boat.

Chris Parry is the current Commodore. Born and bred in the village, he follows in the steps of his father, himself the Commodore in the early 1980s. Chris is an Assistant Headteacher in the nearby secondary

school and appreciates the need to invest in the youth for the future of the club, which is why he created new positions of Junior Commodore and Vice Junior Commodore.

Nathan Williams and Will Beaumont were successful in their applications. Both have been sailing since they were young, and have a passion for the water. Together they took part in the club’s annual Round Puffin Island Race in 2022, beating many of the senior sailors.

Last month Nathan and Will launched themselves into their new roles organising a visit to Llandudno Lifeboat Station for the youth members of the club to raise awareness of the RNLI and water safety.

SHAKESPEARE'S SEAS

On 31 March, a First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, in two volumes and on loan from Dulwich College, goes on display at the National Maritime Museum.

It is part of a national celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Folio’s publication; Shakespeare’s First Folio was published in 1623, seven years after his death. In total 235 copies are known to survive, with 50 in the UK.

The two volumes contain evidence of possible use in theatrical performances; handwritten notes, ink and water stains and burn holes suggest these volumes were well-used before they were acquired by Dulwich College.

The display at the National Maritime Museum reflects on London’s changing relationship with the water during Shakespeare’s lifetime, when maritime expansion created juxtaposing views of the sea as a place of opportunity, but one that was also hostile and unpredictable.

Throughout his plays, Shakespeare invokes maritime imagery, from sea

battles and shipwrecks to sunken treasure and magical islands. It has led scholars to question whether Shakespeare himself travelled overseas. More likely, however, the proximity of London’s docks and volume of passing sailors influenced his writings.

The Tempest and the Thames: 31 March – 24 September

The National Maritime Museum, Maritime London Gallery www.rmg.co.uk/folio-400

There will also be a programme of events on Shakespeare’s birthday, 23 April, plus a Shakespeare and the Sea conference on 8 and 9 September.

Full fathom five thy father lies; Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes: Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell The Tempest

Nathan and Will sailing at Llanfairfechan Sailing Club

Image: Dulwich College

THE FAB FOUR!

making spare blades by cutting up the chart table, which is now gone. He was unsure if he would be able to continue racing without a wind vane, or have to stop for spares, continuing his round the world journey in Chichester Class.

Eventually Abhilash reported that he was able to cut a blade from the boat’s main emergency rudder, after a first try with the toilet door proved to be too weak. His repairs, however, have not been limited to the wind vane and have included stitched sails, broken Halyards, repaired spreaders with various trips aloft, dismantled wind generators, electrical system backouts and water and diesel tank leaks.

Don McIntyre, GGR founder and chairman, said:“One of the biggest challenges of the GGR is getting the planning right. That includes so many issues including the choice of equipment, the amount of spares to take etc… and that is way before the preparation which in itself is also critically important. Wind vanes are one of the most important when you are on such a demanding adventure. Who will be the first home and how many will make it? Real adventures always have an unknown outcome!”

fresh water tanks got fouled. He knows he is late in the season being the last in the fleet. His ETA at Cape Horn is late March.

Still progressing in the Chichester Class are Jeremy Bagshaw (ZAF) and Simon Curwen (GBR).

Simon led the GGR for 150 days before a detour of a 1,000 miles to Chile to repair his broken hydrovane moved him to Chichester Class. With 70 per cent of the total distance under his belt and a 1,000 mile gap with his closest rivals, Simon had seemed untouchable. Alas, cruel is the game of the GGR, and a crucial piece of his hydrovane broke when the boat was knocked-down.

Simon tried to emulate his hero Sir Robin Knox Johnston, who steered Suhaili to the finish, and to victory in the original 1968 GGR, without a windvane for the last stretch of that voyage, however it was not to be...

Race Positions (track at goldengloberace.com/live-tracker):

1. Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36 - MINNEHAHA

On 4 September, 15 men and one woman set out from Les Sables d’Olonne. Their dreams and aspirations were to circumnavigate solo in the Golden Globe Race. Today only four of the original sailors are still racing. February was an eventful time for Kirsten Neuschäfer (ZAF), finally rounding Cape Horn in the middle of the month. She moved to first place after 150 days of racing and since had to face two storms, breaking a spinnaker pole and taking down her massive twin sail alone on a Minnehaha rocked by the residual swell.

Abhilash Tomy (IND) was more exposed to the wind and waves, with 40 knots, gusting 60 which he later said was closer to “60 knots sustained with occasional lulls in the 40” meaning his Rustler suffered some damage. The storm repairs, strong weather and waiting for the right conditions to climb the mast meant sailing further east than planned.

Unfortunately Abhilash’s Wind Pilot wind vane pendulum rudder failed again too. He has been facing wind vane issues since the Atlantic many months ago. He had used all his spare pendulum blades and had been

Michael Guggenberger (AUT), in third, is in a strong position. He has been lucky with generally acceptable weather and seas for virtually all the Southern Ocean to date, with no major storms. Other competitors ahead and behind have had to face heavy storms and devastating calms.

New to sailing 10 years ago, Michael has matched both the pace and the preparation level of much more experienced sailors, presenting no significant damage after thousands of gruelling miles in the GGR. His only issue being, like others, depleting water reserves. However, he managed to finally catch some desperately needed freshwater.

Behind him Ian Herbert Jones (GBR) is facing some issues, notably the lack of drinking water on board as well after his

2. Abhilash Tomy (43) / India / Rustler 36BAYANAT

3. Michael Guggenberger (44) / Austria Biscay 36 - NURI

4. Ian Herbert Jones (52) / UK / Tradewind 35 - PUFFIN

Chichester Class

1. Simon Curwen (63) / UK / Biscay 36 - CLARA

2. Jeremy Bagshaw (59) / South Africa / OE32 - OLLEANNA

GGR Retired Edward Walentynowicz (Canada), Guy deBoer (USA), Mark Sinclair (Australia), Pat Lawless (Ireland), Damien Guillou (France), Ertan Beskardes (UK), Tapio Lehtinen (Finland), Arnaud Gaist (France), Elliot Smith (USA), Guy Waites (UK).

NEWS SNAPS

NAUTICAL READS

Reading the Clouds - How You Can Forecast the Weather

Oliver Perkins / £10.99

This book will give you a great understanding of why clouds are symptoms of weather patterns, not causes. Highly practical, it shows you how, by reading these signs in the sky and referring to the explanatory colour photos and diagrams, you will be able to tell exactly what those signs mean. Including a foreword by Tom Cunliffe, this will be an invaluable companion for everyone who enjoys time spent outdoors.

Just Add Water - Over 100 ways to recharge and relax on the UK’s rivers, lakes and canals

Sarah Henshaw / £18.99

Just Add Water suggests scores of activities, adventures and escapes to help us better look after ourselves and our waterways. Covering the length and breadth of the UK, this is the ideal companion for anyone planning a day trip, waterways holiday or simply looking to make the most of the canal, river, lake or reservoir on their doorstep.

“Horn Island visible, hail squalls, having fun, here in my element”

Kirsten Neuschäfer

Image: Kirsten Neuschäfer / GGR2022

DRAMATIC SCENES ON AND OFF THE WATER IN SYDNEY…

The dramatic first day at last month’s Australia SailGP was plagued by technical issues, near capsizes, messy manoeuvres and even an Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team crew member falling overboard.

However, it was a fantastic day for the French which saw Quentin Delapierre’s team pick up three consecutive race wins in the iconic Sydney Harbour.

The French rose to the challenge of 50km/h wind conditions to dominate, while Jimmy Spithill’s United States kept their San Francisco Grand Final hopes alive by picking up three second place positions.

Home favourites Australia, meanwhile, were plagued by technical issues, but still managed a respectable racing record of 3-4-6 to finish third after three fleet races. This, despite announcing they would not participate in the first race due to technical issues but then crossing the start line and going on to finish third.

For the British team, though, there was drama of a different kind. Grinder Matt Gotrel fell through the fairing of

the foiling F50 catamaran as the team approached the finish line.

The incident occurred in the first fleet race of the day, when Emirates GBR was chasing down the race leaders during the penultimate leg. The British F50 was travelling at close to 50 km/h when driver Ben Ainslie was forced to take evasive action to avoid Canada. The adjustment, which occurred during a jibe, caught Matt off guard as he crossed the boat. Matt stepped backwards to steady himself, inadvertently stepping on the forward fairing, which is not designed to bear weight.

Reflecting on the incident, Matt said he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

“We do so many manoeuvres in these boats that you know when to leave the cockpit and when not to, and I was probably half a second either way. If I had gone earlier I would have made it and if I had gone later I would not have been there during the adjustment, ” Matt explained.

Matt remained attached to the F50 via his safety line and the crew promptly

CAPTION THIS!

Here are some of the captions sent in for last month’s caption competition. Thank you to everyone who submitted one.

“Come back” they whispered as the masters made way.” (John Beddow)

“Sitting on a dock in the bay, cat and a dog waiting together today. (Cherri Farren)

“The Owl and the Pussy Cat went to sea in a beautiful pea green boat. The Owl wouldn’t be able to look after you if you fell in, so I’m here for you.” (Douglas Elliott)

“Paws for a moment” (Peter Randerson)

“Noah’s Ark is late” (R. Langley)

“That looks like a much classier boat coming towards us, stand-by to jump ship!” (Huw Gibby)

“Sorry Pussy Cat, you’ve spent time painting the boat a beautiful pea green, but the Owl can’t make, I’m here to crew for you instead.” (Doug Elliott)

Our favourite is…

“It’s going to be Ruff at sea today, ah well that’s just Purrfect.” (Shane)

Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Switzerland SailGP Team and USA SailGP Team race side by side

stopped the boat. Once safely back on board, the team resumed racing which, Matt said, was his main concern.

“I knew the race was still going on, so I just wanted to make sure we got the boat to the finish line. Then we could address any issues after that.”

Despite the incident, which halted the British for over a minute, the team managed to salvage a sixth place position. The team picked up a record of 6-6-2 across the day.

After racing on day one at the Australia Sail Grand Prix, however, a major weather event occurred that resulted in significant damage including to at least one boat at theSailGP technical site.Six boats remained moored on the water and were relatively unscathed.

SailGP works closely with local experts and had “extensive in-house knowledge of the forecast. We had a window to crane the boats and, with the advice received, proceeded to do so.”

However, a severe weather system passed through while the Canada SailGP Team’s F50 catamaran, which was christened just two days earlier, was craning out, resulting in extensive damage.

Phil Robertson, driver of the CanadaSailGPTeam, said: “We are very thankful that everyone is ok.It was a serious situation trying to get the wing out before the storm arrived.Everyone on our team was involved.Unfortunately, it came at a time which was not ideal and we had to scramble.

"I was impressed by the amount of people who came to help, including members from other teams and, of course, theSailGPTech Team.The situation escalated quickly.It was some of the most wind I have ever seen in my life.”

No one was seriously injured, but as a result of the damage, SailGP cancelled racing for the second day of the Sydney event. At the time SailGP reported that:“A full assessment of the damage is underway but it is likely some of the futureSailGPevents may also need to be delayed.”

According toSailGPrules, the three completed races were enough to constitute an event.This gave the win to France followed by the United States and Australia, with Great Britain in fourth.

The next planned SailGP event - the last one before the Grand Final - takes place over 18 – 19 March in Christchurch, New Zealand. You can watch a video of the storm and Matt Gotrel discussing the incident on the British F50 at the All at Sea online news pages. www.allatsea.co.uk

The international airline Emirates and the Great BritainSailGPTeam have announced a three-year sponsorship deal in which Emirates becomes the sailing team’s first-ever Title Sponsor (you can see the branding on the British boat in the photo above). In line with the UAE declaring 2023 as the Year of Sustainability’, the sponsorship will also open more opportunities for Emirates and the Great BritainSailGPTeam to drive joint global environmental campaigns with the common goals of reducing emissions, consuming responsibly and preserving biodiversity. Emirates and Great BritainSailGPTeam will also support wider sustainability issues such as gender equality.

Image: Shutterstock/Orla

Image: Shutterstock/Dezy

The damaged Canada SailGP Team F50 catamaran after the storm

Image: Simon Bruty for SailGP

Tom Slingsby, CEO and driver of Australia SailGP Team, inspects the damage in the technical area following the storm

The damaged wing of the Canada SailGP Team F50 catamaran

The aftermath of the storm at the technical area in Sydney

towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a practice session

Image: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Image: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Image: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Image: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Image: Bob Martin for SailGP

POWER TALK

COLLABORATION IN SEARCH OF SOLUTIONS

MAHLE Powertrain is leading a project to develop sustainable propulsion solutions for retrofit to high performance marine vessels where battery and other electrified technologies may not prove practical.

The collaboration with the RNLI, the University of Nottingham and Clean Air Power will initially target search and rescue vessels. MAHLE’s Jet Ignition® technology, optimised for hydrogen combustion under the name HyJet, enables the ignition of sustainable fuels in clean combustion engines. The project will aim to deliver retrofit solutions at scale across commercial, professional and governmental fleets.

“The current and predicted future state of battery technology alone cannot offer the range and performance required by the RNLI at an acceptable weight for retrofit to its lifeboats,” explained Martin Berger, vice president corporate research and advanced engineering at MAHLE.

“The RNLI has committed to eliminating

or reducing impacts on the environment, and to become a low-carbon, climate-resilient organisation,” said Victoria Limbrick, carbon & energy manager, RNLI.

“Fuel for our lifeboats, rescue watercraft and logistics vehicles accounts for around 57 per cent of our total energy use. The HyJet project offers an exciting opportunity to investigate and learn about potential solutions that could help meet our challenging sustainability targets and to fulfil our ambition to move away from fossil fuels.”

Funded by the Department for Transport as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, HyJet’s findings lay the foundations for a follow-on project to create a real-world demonstrator vessel. The project’s focus on commercialisation will establish a clear route to market that can be scaled throughout the marine sector, helping it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition towards net zero.

STICKY FUEL WARNING

Over the past year, emergency assistance and breakdown firm, River Canal Rescue, says it has witnessed an uncharacteristic peak in fuel-related component breakdowns not linked to diesel bug.

RCR describes the problem as sticky fuel, and with its marine engineers now responding to two to three cases per week on the inland waterways, managing director, Stephanie Horton, is keen to alert the wider sailing community to the issue.

Stephanie explained: “We first became aware of sticky fuel when we had two identical jobs where fuel injectors were diagnosed as needing an overhaul, yet their replacements stopped working within a week, and the injection pumps (pictured) were found to have failed even though the diesel was clear and bright.

“Our engineers found in both cases, the injector pump racks had seized solid and the nozzles were blocked, and when replacing the plunger filter head, they found the fuel had a sticky, syrup-like substance. Alongside stuck injection pump racks, injectors and filter head plunger failures, we also had cases of fuel filters blocking with wax inside them.

YAMAHA ON DISPLAY AT SBS BOATLIFE

There was an extensive line-up of Yamaha outboards and marine products, exhibited by Yamaha’s boat partners, SBS BoatLife.

Yamaha boat partner and European distributor for the aluminium boats from New Zealand, Extreme Boats debuted two new models, the 646 Game King and 616 Game King powered by a Yamaha 200hp and 150hp respectively. They are fully recyclable and are substantially lighter than fibreglass boats of the same size.

Staying with aluminium, CDT Marine showcased a range of craft from Buster Boats and AB RIBs under its Aluminium Boat Co. brand, all rigged with Yamaha outboards.

MCC Marine displayed the Swedish Rupert R8 RIB. Fitted with a Yamaha Premium 300hp V6 outboard, it has a top speed of 48 knots.Also on show was the SUR Marine ST 310 luxury console tender, with a Yamaha Versatile 20hp outboard.

Other craft on display, and featuring Yamaha engines, were the Finnmaster T8, T7 and T6, while Wills Marine showcased Yamaha outboards across five models from its Grand RIBs range. Making its show debut was the 818 Titanium from Balt Yachts. Pre-rigged with a Yamaha CL5 digital dash and packaged with a Yamaha 50hp outboard, this cabin cruiser is perfectly proportioned for cruising the UK’s inland waterways.

Lastly, having secured a new British National Record (84.33mph over one kilometre) on a Yamaha GP1800R WaveRunner, Dale Williams for MES Racing displayed the record-breaking model alongside the Yamaha FX SVHO.

“To be able to win, you have to be able to finish the race,” said Dale. “A Yamaha WaveRunner is the most reliable craft on the market and the solution to getting you on the podium.”

“Initially we suspected sugar in the fuel, but sugar stays crystalline instead of dissolving.

POWER SHORTS

Yamaha Marine has partnered with VETUS to incorporate a bow thruster to offer fully integrated, joystick controlled boat handling. Designed for twin engine boats, the bow thruster is connected to the joystick steering system by Helm Master EX to ensure its power level matches that of the engines, creating “an on-water experience equivalent to four-wheel drive”. It will enable boat owners to manoeuvre with confidence, even in the most confined areas.

We are now considering it may be related to a change in fuel and fuel treatment additives. This is not contamination in the traditional sense (all the samples sent away for analysis are clear); it is only the smell of turps that alerts us to a problem.”

Following discussions with several leading fuel analysis companies, RCR is working with a university lab to use IR spectrum analysers and a range of samples/treatments to see if the cause of sticky fuel can be identified.

Stephanie concluded: “Although there are some trends and patterns developing in the cases we see, it is important to have scientific evidence to back-up our theories. As an industry we must work together to find a solution.”

At February’s RYA Dinghy and Watersports Showthe ePropulsion stand featured a live tank demo comparing a Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motor with a typical 4-stroke and 2-stroke engine. It demonstrated how, after just 30 minutes run time, by switching to electric, we can all significantly reduce our impact on water quality and pollution. On show, too, were the Navy 3.0 and 6.0 longrange electric outboards as well as the highly portable Spirit outboard.

Digital Yacht’s new ENGINELink is a NMEA 2000 wireless gizmo that allows mobile phones and tablets to display engine data as well as providing a feed of boat AIS and GPS data to popular apps like Navionics, NavLink, iNavX, AquaMaps and more.ENGINELink has preset dashboards for manufacturers including Honda, Suzuki, Tohatsu, Mercury, Yamaha, Yanmar and Volvo. In addition, ENGINELink has a dashboard for the new generation of electric engines that displays current consumption, range optimisation and battery capacity.

Peel’s Shannon lifeboat

Image: RNLI

KIT BAG

REVOLVE-TEC

You might have seen the Revolve-Tec range at last month’s RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. Available from Marine Components International, UK marine distributor for Revolve-Tec, the Rollable Boat Hook and Emergency VHF Antenna are manufactured from advanced rollable composite materials. MCI managing director, Andy Scott explained: “RevolveTec has taken a completely innovative approach to the design process of a boat hook and emergency antenna, reducing size and weight whilst increasing ease of use and overcoming storage space issues. The result is a lightweight, strong and compact boat hook and emergency antenna ideal for use on all craft including yachts, tenders, canal boats, dinghies and even jet skis.”

Watch out for a review of this kit in an upcoming issue of All at Sea.

Boat Hook: £84.95

Emergency Marine Antenna: £229.95 www.marinecomponents.co.uk

B&G CHARTPLOTTER

B&G® has unveiled the new B&G Zeus® S, the next generation of chartplotters in its range, running the new operating system, which has been built from the ground-up. Zeus S was designed to make sailing easier, displaying information tailored to the sailor’s needs in that moment, and hiding unnecessary clutter. The Zeus S comes with new sailing modes, preset dashboards and data views for a variety of sailing situations, along with many enhanced features. This is backed up by exclusive C-MAP® charting options. Zeus S also integrates with the B&G App, allowing users to plan trips, review routes and manage waypoints from home, then sync once on board.

From: £874.99 www.bandg.com

AXIOM 2 PRO

From Raymarine comes the Axiom® 2 Pro range of powerful multifunction chartplotters. This all-inone display integrates with an advanced Raymarine navigation network that includes radar, autopilot and Lighthouse charts as well as FLIR thermal night vision technology. The upgraded six core processor enables faster chart scrolling, instant response and the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously. It features Raymarine’s HydroTough™ coating, which repels water for reliable touchscreen control and customisable keypad controls. The Axiom 2 Pro S with embedded High CHIRP sonar is designed for motorboat cruising and sailors. From £2,219 www.raymarine.com

HOT BASE LAYER

Spotted at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show was the Hot range from Rooster. Described as the ultimate base layer for watersports, the ‘Hot’ base layer works with your body to regulate its temperature. Made with 0.5mm titanium-lined neoprene, this intuitive fabric helps reflect heat back onto your body, rather than letting it escape. Combined with Polypro™ panels, this enables maximum flexibility and breathability, to ensure thermal comfort is a go. The Hot range also includes socks and gloves.

Hot Top: £65 Hot Legs: £65 www.roostersailing.com

QUACS SHOES

If you are on the lookout for some footwear for the new season you could try Quacs Shoes. Designed with watersports, beaches and boating in mind, they are also ideal for day-to-day use. Quacs are ultralight, durable, waterproof, slip resistant, breathable, easy to clean and, best of all, are made from environmentally-friendly materials – they are moulded from a single piece of sustainable, recyclable material.

£39.99

quacsshoes.com

SUNGOD SUNGLASSES

SunGod has worked with INEOS Britannia to design an all-new eyewear collection to offer superior clarity and performance for sailors. The SunGod x INEOS Britannia collection includes two limited edition sunglasses models - the INEOS Britannia SunGod Tempests™ and the INEOS Britannia SunGod Sierras™. Both feature ultra-flexible Infinite™ 100 per cent recycled memory polymer frames and 8KO® Fire lenses, finished with an INEOS Britannia lens engraving and brushed white icons.

From £90 www.sungod.co

MUSTO HIKERS

Also at the Dinghy & Watersports Show, Musto’s FlexLite Alumin Hikers 3.0 are ready to make waves on the dinghy racing scene. Developed with extensive research, their unique hiking batten construction delivers comfort and performance so you can push harder and go faster on the water.

Originally developed for the British Sailing Team and worn by ILCA Europeans medallist Micky Beckett, these are sure to be a popular buy this year.

Turn to page 18 to read this month’s Shootin’

The Breeze with Lucy Davis who is discussing the technology behind Musto’s gear.

£250

www.musto.com

BATTERY BOX

As one of the most important pieces of hardware on a boat it is crucial to protect onboard batteries. Designed with water resistant ventilation, the Attwood PowerGuard PRO battery box offers marine grade battery protection and safeguards those onboard. It shields batteries from the outside elements and threats such as water or other fluid spills, and safeguards them from potential damage caused by vibrations, sudden movements and jolts and knocks from unsecured stowed items. Whilst the snap locking lid and reinforced mounting hardware ensures the battery and box stay secure, the folding terminal entry panels on either side of the lid provide easy access to the battery terminals without the need to open the box or remove the mounting strap. new.attwoodmarine.com

HOT TOPIC

INCLUDE INSURANCE WHEN REVIEWING THIS YEAR’S BOATING COSTS

Rod Daniel, director at Craftinsure, shares some useful money-saving advice for anyone looking into insuring their boat at the start of this new season.

We discuss important topics with marine industry experts who share their opinions and top tips to help you get the most from your boating.

A ‘multi-boat’ discount may also apply if you have more than one boat to insure.

As with many things, it pays to shop around, especially if your renewal premium has increased significantly.

car, where having multiple policies with one provider can otherwise offer savings.

AVOID A CLAIM

As boat owners look to manage higher costs, insurance is just one expense to consider. The impact of higher inflation will mean that some premium increases in 2023 are inevitable.

Apart from higher prices for raw materials, such as resin and paints, boat parts, particularly where imported, are a lot more expensive now than a year ago. Prices of stainless steel and aluminium have also risen sharply, making stanchions, toe rails and similar parts quite commonly damaged more expensive to replace, as

Heating, diesel and other general boatyard expenses have, of course, increased in recent months.

If you are facing a premium increase, do not be tempted to under-insure your boat. Values have generally increased over the past two years, so make sure your policy cover is still adequate.

SAVING MONEY

If you do need to save a few pounds it is better to consider taking a higher excess, and if spreading the cost over the year would be helpful, some insurers provide a monthly payment option. Craftinsure offer this at no additional cost where the annual premium would be over £180.

Getting an online quote for comparison should only take a couple of minutes from a good boat insurance website or app.

Marine insurance is a specialist class of business where expertise is important, and so it is not usually possible to use the same company that insures your home or

Avoiding claims is another good way to help keep your insurance premium down of course! Thorough pre-season checks are very important.

All images: Boat Club Trafalgar well as propellors, masts and rigging. As yet, boatyard labour charges do not appear to have increased significantly, but these are also coming under pressure.

Sadly, theft is still a very common cause of claims. Try to ensure that your boat, trailer and outboard motor are not seen as a soft target. Fit good quality locks and make sure electronics and other valuables are securely stored ashore, or at least out of sight if left on board. www.craftinsure.com

“If you are facing a premium increase, do not be tempted to under-insure your boat”

Image: maxuser/Shutterstock

FACING FACTS

Savvy insurance tips for new boaters from Pantaenius UK.

As experts across the marine insurance landscape, Pantaenius UK have been helping leisure boaters protect their floating assets for over 30 years. There are a number of decisions newcomers to boating need to make when starting out and insurance is usually high on the list.

It is important to choose the most appropriate, inclusive and cost effective cover for you and your craft without getting too lost in the small print and remembering not all policies are the same. Boat insurance is all about protecting yourself against the unexpected and good cover will come into its own if you ever need to make a claim. People often ask why boat insurance is necessary; a reasonable question as there is no legal requirement to take out boat insurance in the UK. However, to be a responsible boat owner, whilst safeguarding your interests, appropriate cover should really be considered a must-have. Primarily it is vital to protect your investment against any loss and/ or damage, which could result in a very costly repair bill should the unforeseen occur. Secondly, boat insurance will help to protect you against any third party liability sustained for injury or damage caused by you or your boat.

PREMIUM FACTORS

A number of factors can have an influence on the premium that is payable and there will be differing levels of risk attached to different types of boats. For example, a small sailing dinghy compared to a fast power yacht will have different considerations. Similar to car insurance, boats fall into categories according to their type and value for risk assessment. Insurance has to factor

in the type and size of the vessel, any potential repair bills that could result, how easily it could be stolen and the potential for damage to occur, all prior to calculating the premium.

Premiums are also influenced by where the boat is generally kept and its use, as well as the overall experience of the boat owner/user together with the type of use envisaged e.g. racing, fishing, cruising and so on.

Do be aware that different cruising grounds can carry different risks and remote areas will make repair or recovery facilities more difficult, which would in turn be reflected in the premium. At the time of applying for cover, owners need to let the provider know the intended cruising area for the year ahead (to be updated if this changes). It is also recommended that if longer term plans include more adventurous plans or racing, this should be discussed.

Additionally, any previous claims are taken into consideration in the final calculations.

RIGHT FOR YOU?

When taking out a boat insurance policy there are many features to look out for. Firstly, make sure your insurer is authorised and approved by the country’s regulatory body, which in the UK is the Financial Conduct Authority.

Clearly the level of premium is vital, but this should not be the main decider, it is important to gain a balance between cost and benefits. All policies are different; always read through the wording carefully to check for any exclusions and make sure your policy fits your requirements and the cover you want.

A useful tip is to assess the most expensive aspects of your boat and look

at what cover the policy provides for these being damaged or stolen. Also see if any deductions would apply if a claim is made, for instance if any replacement is on a new-for-old basis or if reductions for wear and tear apply.

The purpose of insurance is to put you back in the same position as before the event, however if brand new parts are needed there may be a contribution required towards this improvement.

TYPICALLY INCLUDED

A standard boat insurance hull policy will cover any physical damage to the vessel, usually including equipment such as hull, sails, machinery, furnishings, onboard equipment and, if applicable, your trailer. Typically included should be the following:

■ ‘All Risks’ cover including fire, theft and malicious damage, sinking, stranding, collisions and salvage costs.

■ An agreed fixed value hull policy is preferable and will involve a fixed sum insured that cannot be challenged in the event of a total loss claim.

■ Damage or mechanical breakdown of engines and machinery is often only covered by higher quality policies, as is misfuelling cover.

■ Loss or damage caused by undiscovered (latent) defects.

■ Third party liability cover if the policyholder is using a borrowed or chartered boat.

■ Cover for emergency assistance and towage.

■ 12 months in-commission cover - with no enforced lay up period or added cost for year round use.

■ A 24/7 emergency claims helpline.

As with any type of insurance policy there will be exclusions and these generally include loss caused by wear and tear, progressive deterioration from faulty parts or lack of maintenance, weathering and damage due to animals, insects, mould and so on. Another factor to take into account can also be any unforeseen manufacturer’s defects. Always consider replacing/repairing something that you believe has a risk of failure due to its age or condition.

SPECIALIST COVER

Boat owners often wonder if a homeowner’s insurance policy provides cover, which it may to a certain extent (personal possessions for example), but these types of insurers do not have particular expertise with watercraft. Although limited cover may be available, it will not be tailored to your needs so there are lots of good reasons to invest in a dedicated boat policy and have complete peace of mind.

Before buying any boat, old or new, all owners should ideally discuss the type of insurance cover they will need with a specialist broker. Surveys may sometimes be required as a part of boat insurance. Insuring older boats can sometimes be more complex. If the boat is 20 years or older it is quite normal for a condition survey to be carried out approximately every five to seven years to check it is in good working order, but this does depend on your insurance provider.

COMMON CLAIMS

In terms of what claims are most prevalent, certainly collision and weather are the main claims that the team deal with at Pantaenius UK. Lightning and grounding also feature very heavily with theft and vandalism next.

Rig/mast damage is common and is often avoidable with better maintenance. Fire, whilst thankfully a little less common, can be tremendously destructive often leading to total loss.

THE RIGHT CHOICE

To gauge insurance, you only really test it when you claim. Luckily the majority of insurers will settle valid claims without any dispute, but it would hardly be surprising that those paying less for their cover may experience less generous claims handling.

Sailing is not a 9-5 pastime and, should an emergency occur, you will want to have 24/7 support on hand to ensure immediate and relevant advice day or night. Whilst most insurance providers offer this assistance, it is not always provided in-house or on a 24/7 basis.

It is also worth checking whether the claims management can access the right support internationally. Pantaenius, for example, has over 35,000 trusted ‘partners’ around the world, meaning they can provide the best support, no matter where you are cruising. Choosing an insurance provider with a superb reputation for claims is clearly a very important consideration.

www.pantaenius.co.uk

“Boat insurance is all about protecting yourself against the unexpected and good cover will come into its own if you ever need to make a claim”

Shootin’ the Breeze...

...with Lucy Davis, a Sailing Designer with technical clothing provider Musto.

QTell us about your role at Musto.

LD: I am Sailing Designer, but I was previously a Product Developer working with the design team and liaising directly with our factories on the production and development of our technical sailing collections. Within my role as Sailing Designer, I am able to lean on my development background and really understand what information the factories need to build these highly technical garments.

QCan you explain the new technology in the HPX collection being launched this year?

LD: The new HPX collection is technology packed and I could fill several pages describing it all, so I will stick to a few key elements.

Firstly, the HPX collection is now a complete threelayer system, with base layers, mid-layers and foul weather outerwear utilising different waterproof, thermal and abrasion resistant technologies (to name a few) designed to work in harmony with one another to ensure the highest levels of comfort and protection in the harshest conditions.

With foul weather outerwear we are using GORETEX’s new pro membrane, which still offers high levels of waterproofing and breathability but is now even more durable. We have chosen a face fabric with a very tightly woven construction meaning the surface of the fabric will wet out (saturate and become heavy and cold) more slowly. The fabric is also Blue Sign approved with a 100 per cent recycled polyamide face and solution dyed backer (solution dying is a water-less dying process), so as well as upgrading the performance we have a much more sustainable collection than previous generations.

We developed the XVR modular collar system in collaboration with 11th Hour Racing Team who needed adaptable kit due to reduced space onboard their IMOCA 60. The external collar and hood on the smock and drysuit are completely detachable negating the need for a separate dry smock.

Safety is a major concern for Clipper Race sailors (we partner with the race to supply all the clothing), who must wear life vests when on deck. Taking this into consideration we developed a top loading, helmet compatible hood to reduce the bulk at the back of the neck when worn with a life vest. We also moved the pockets, so the life vest does not restrict access to tools or GPS devices.

QWhat kind of research and development goes into new technology at Musto?

LD: The first point of call when developing new kit is always speaking to our ambassadors; many of the world’s leading sailors race in Musto and their feedback and insight is invaluable.

We worked very closely with 11th Hour Racing Team in developing the new HPX three-layer system, which happened to coincide with the development of their IMOCA 60. The covered cockpit and reduced space onboard changed the requirements of the kit and presented us with new challenges, hence the development of the XVR hood.

We also got incredibly valuable feedback from our Clipper sailors who experience very different conditions on the exposed decks of the Clipper 70 yachts.

Once we have established what is required of the kit we will reach out to our technology partners including GORE-TEX and PrimaLoft to discuss how best to meet those requirements.

Fabric technology is always evolving, which has enabled us to create truly breathable yet highly water resistant mid-layers by combining GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ (GORE-TEX’s most breathable membrane) with PrimaLoft gold active insulation.

QHow long does the R&D process to being on sale usually take?

LD: The development time varies depending on the type of product and its end use. HPX is designed for prolonged use in extremely harsh conditions (e.g. during The Ocean Race) so we need extended periods of testing on the water to be confident that any new fabric technologies or garment constructions are performing to Musto’s high standards.

We have worked on fabric development with GORETEX almost continually since 1994 and this HPX range has been three years in development; that time has given us the opportunity to experiment, test, make sure we exceed our ambassadors’ needs and create outstanding products.

QWhat other technology is Musto working on?

LD: The development of the foiling classes has seen boat speeds increase significantly. It can be pretty tricky moving around a boat travelling 40+ knots and our sailors are experiencing more impact injuries.

We worked closely with SailGP Team France to provide impact protection with the LPX Foiling Long John (which they are big fans of and have nicknamed the ‘Mad Max pants’) and are currently developing impact protection options for other categories. We are in the testing phase at the moment so it will be a few seasons yet before you see anything, but it is very cool.

QWhat would you say are the staple items of sailing clothing worth investing in?

LD: I would invest in a really good pair of waterproof trousers. The HPX salopettes protect a large part of the body and are built to withstand rough seas and decks. It is the product that gets used the most on the water and where you will feel the benefit of the GORE-TEX Pro membrane.

QTell us something people might not know about you.

LD: Many years ago, I appeared on the children’s television show Beat the Boss as the ‘expert designer’ - one month into my first design job. I was not entirely happy about this so did not mention it to anyone, and my parents only found out when a friend told them they had seen me on TV!

The 11th Hour Racing Team training in the Bay of Biscay

WHAT TO WEAR…

Choosing the best gear for inshore sailing.

Compared to offshore sailing, inshore sailing offers its own challenges. Gusty winds can occur around headlands and shorelines and the wind against tide can create a wet and bumpy ride in tidal channels and fairways. In these conditions, inshore sailors need effective protection from the elements as well as garments that manage changes in temperature.

Weather conditions, time of year and type of boat will play a part in your ‘what to wear’ decisions. Even if your preference is ‘fair weather’ boating, having the right kit makes for an enjoyable day afloat, so be well prepared:

■ the weather can often change quickly, even in summer;

■ take clothing for a range of conditions;

■ choose versatile items that double up for activities ashore;

■ lightweight, high-stretch garments allow easier freedom of movement;

■ quick-dry materials help retain warmth.

Base layers

Even in summer, with changeable weather, it is handy to have a good thermal base layer in your holdall. If you are leaving early or sailing until late, temperatures are often significantly lower. Choose a fabric with great insulation, is quick drying and breathable, such as the Zhik Core baselayer. Or if you anticipate high activity levels the Superthermal Hydrobase has fantastic wicking and moisture transfer properties.

UV protective clothing

Even on a cloudy day, the sun’s UV rays can be highly damaging and extended exposure can cause dehydration and exhaustion, leading to bad decision making. High UV protective clothing will protect your arms, shoulders and neck and are far more effective than traditional fabrics. Garments should be light and breathable allowing sweat to evaporate, keeping you cool during intense activity.

Zhik’s form-fitting UV Active Tops, for example, are made with UPF 50+ fabric (ultraviolet protection factor), blocking out 98 per cent of UV rays.

Mid-layer jackets

It is often much cooler on the water than expected when sailing or motorboating. Mid-layer jackets generate warmth and insulation and are multi-purpose. Good moisture wicking and quick dry properties enable moisture to be drawn away from the body and evaporate away. Choose a mid-layer that will fit neatly under a waterproof for unrestricted movement.

These neat-fitting, high-stretch tops are light, quick drying and useful for all watersports.

Much time on board is spent sitting, exposing your upper legs to UV rays too. For this reason, Zhik makes highly durable Elite Shorts, Deck Shorts and Deck Pants with UPF 50+ protection.

For more coverage, you can choose something like the Elite Shorts, which have additional abrasion-resistant panels for extra durability, a higher back and longer length leg front for extra protection. Do not forget to use a good, ocean-friendly sunscreen too.

Outer layers

The three main considerations for inshore sailing are:

■ warmth – wearing base and mid layers

■ sun and wind protection – selecting UV and windproof fabrics

■ keeping dry – choosing outer layer waterproof protection

There are specialist sailing clothing providers offering a choice of clothing. Zhik (www.zhik.com), for example, has a wide range of tech focused, innovative, versatile inshore sailing clothing to keep you comfortable while out on the water, no matter the conditions.

When looking at Zhik’s line-up, the Full-Zip Fleece Jackets, Cell Insulated Jackets and Vests are designed with a sleek, streamlined fit, for comfortable inshore sailing and everyday wear.

The Fleece Jacket is made from quick drying, lightweight, 100 per cent recycled polyester fibres. For colder or wetter conditions, there is the Cell Insulated Jacket. For higheroutput activity in milder conditions, such as racing ‘around the cans’, the windproof, breathable, 3L Soft Shell jacket is a versatile layering piece. With a form-fitted design and highstretch for athletic movement, it has water shedding DWR coating.

In all conditions, additional spray protection is an essential consideration for inshore sailors. Once you get wet, it is hard to get dry in salty conditions and chilling occurs which cools the body quickly. Always be prepared and carry an appropriate waterproof outer shell. Your choices will depend on the type of boat. Does it have:

■ a good sprayhood or dodgers?

■ a wheelhouse providing good shelter whilst underway?

■ just an open cockpit or exposed steering position?

For warmer moderate conditions, a lightweight waterproof jacket and shorts may be all you need, while long waterproof pants or full-coverage salopettes will deliver maximum spray protection in very wet and colder conditions.

It is important to be comfortable afloat. Choose garments that are well fitted, allow free movement and fit

Head and hands

Your hands and head are full exposed when afloat and you can lose a lot of heat through both. Sailing gloves protect your skin from the elements as well as from handling ropes. Hats provide essential warmth and protect your head and face from glare. When it comes to gloves, the choice is extensive and depends on your needs. For example, Zhik’s long and short finger gloves include the all-round Deck Gloves, Elite Gloves for intensive sailing and Superwarm neoprene gloves for cold weather.

Sailing caps, visors or the shady Broad Brim Hat will keep the sun off, while the woolly Beanies and UV neck gaiter are excellent for use in colder conditions.

over your layers without being baggy and shapeless.

Ideal for milder conditions, Zhik’s sleek INS100 jackets are lightweight, waterproof with fully sealed seams to keep you protected from the elements. Mesh lining keeps you cool in warm conditions and provides a thermal air gap when it is cold out on the water.

Zhik’s INS200 inshore jacket and salopettes use a 3-layer soft Vecta fabric with a breathable membrane specifically developed for inshore activities with a DWR coating.

Your feet

Do not forget about your feet! Whether you choose a low-profile deck shoe or warm, waterproof seaboot to wear inshore sailing, strong support and exceptional grip are two non-negotiables, similar to wearing a lifejacket.

Next month we will be looking at what to wear when stand-up paddleboarding.

Image: Beau Outteridge

Image: Beau Outteridge

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 2023 Photo of the Year reader vote!

PHOTO OF THE MONTH WINNER!

Colin Winston took this as the Lymington/Yarmouth ferry cut its way through the clouds.

Early morning sunshine in Scalpay North Harbour. This photo was sent in by Debbie Philips.

Thanks to Chris Waterman for this photo showing a stunning sunset looking across Poole Harbour from Lake Pier at Hamworthy.

This was taken by Charlie Harrigan as he rounded Ardlamont Point and headed up the Kyles Of Bute on his Beneteau Antares 760 Buddy Bouy.

This was taken as Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith sailed up the River Medway on Christmas Eve. We love the rainbow matching the colours of the cranes!

Captioned ‘Early Morning Re ection Tim no les sent in this photo o his H mber alon ta en at bermenai in the Menai Strait opposite Caernarfon.

WIN a handmade silver whale necklace!

All at Sea has teamed up with Jana Reinhardt jewellery to give away a sustainably handmade sterling silver whale necklace.

WORTH £95!

You can win this stunning handmade silver whale necklace by ethical jewellery brand Jana Reinhardt, worth £95. The perfect Mother’s Day gift for anyone who appreciates these gentle giants of the sea, each pendant is handcrafted from sustainable 100 per cent recycled silver.

Part of Jana’s extensive collection of animal inspired jewellery, the whale is considered by many cultures as the guardian of oceans and sea travelmaking this pendant a great choice if you are a sea lover, or planning a voyage somewhere over the waves.

The whale pendant measures a dainty 20mm long x 14mm high and is hand polished to a high shine. The winner’s

WIN tickets to London

Luxury Afloat, plus a bottle of champagne!

All at Sea has teamed up with British Marine, the team behind London Luxury Afloat, to give away a pair of tickets to London Luxury Afloat, plus a complementary bottle of champagne.

WORTH OVER £150!

necklace comes complete with a matching silver 1.2mm trace chain, adjustable to either 16/18 inches (41/46 cm) or 20/22 inches (52/57cm) length.

Founded in 2006, Jana Reinhardt is a husband and wife team: Jana Reinhardt and Ross Cutting - both master goldsmiths who are as passionate about hand-making jewellery as they are about animal welfare and green living. The brand plant a tree with Ecologi whenever they make a piece of jewellery to offset carbon, and even have their own charity jewellery range which supports animal causes such as PETA, Galgos Del Sol and the NAWT.

www.janareinhardt.com

You can enter at www.allatsea.co.uk, by email to editor@allatsea.co.uk with the subject header Jana Reinhardt Competition and via the All at Sea newsletter (sign up at www.allatsea.co.uk/aasnewsletter).

Q: What do many cultures believe the whale is the guardian of?

Terms and conditions: Necklace compeition closing date - 28 March 2023. Enter online at www.allatsea.co.uk or email editor@allatsea.co.uk with the subject header ‘Jana Reinhardt competition’. The winner will be notified by email. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn at random after the competition closing date. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Open to residents of the UK aged over 18. No cash or alternatives will be offered. If any prize is lost or damaged during the course of delivery, All at Sea will provide reasonable assistance in seeking to resolve the problem, but it will not always be possible to obtain replacements for lost or damaged goods, and in that event no financial compensation would be payable by All at Sea or their affiliates. By entering you agree to be bound by all the rules and agree that your name and county may be published in the paper if you win. Please indicate on your entry if you do not wish to receive information about other products and services from All at Sea and Jana Reinhardt, by post or email.

For the very best in luxury yachting look no further than London Luxury Afloat. Our competition winner and one guest will have the chance to visit this boutique style boat show, which brings some of the finest luxury sail and motor yachts to the heart of the capital.

You will have the chance to view a selection of luxurious craft side by side and enjoy personal tours with brand experts. Expect world debuts and new product launches, plus the chance to take advantage of exclusive VIP hospitality. Sit back and relax with a glass of champagne from your complimentary bottle or indulge in some fantastic street food on the floating VIP area, while contemplating just which yacht is the one for you! While shoreside you

will find exhibitors featuring smaller craft and complementary products and services.

London Luxury Afloat takes place from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 April at St. Katharine Docks, London and the winners can choose which day they attend. Nestled on the north bank of the River Thames, within close proximity of many of London’s most famous tourist attractions including the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, St. Katharine Docks is central London’s only marina and provides the perfect backdrop to this unique show. With a vast array of bars and restaurants the competition winner can enjoy a great day out and really make the most of their visit.

www.londonluxuryafloat.com

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

Q: Where does London Luxury Afloat take place?

Terms and conditions: Show tickets competition closing date - Midnight 11 April 2023. Enter online at www.allatsea.co.uk or email editor@allatsea.co.uk with the subject header ‘London Luxury Afloat ticket competition’. The winner will be notified by email. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn at random after the competition closing date. No cash or alternatives will be offered. Open to residents of the UK aged over 18. Tickets are valid for one day of the show and winners can choose any day of the show to attend. By entering you agree to be bound by all the rules and agree that your name and county may be published in the paper if you win. Please indicate on your entry if you do not wish to receive information about other products and services from All at Sea, British Marine and London Luxury Afloat, by phone, post, email or by SMS.

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.

DOUGAL FLOOD OF MEMORIES

As we experience weather extremes – from last year’s hot, dry summer to a colder than average end to the year – it is easy to forget that severe weather is not a new phenomenon. Indeed, early 1953 witnessed the arrival of a deadly storm, warnings about which were hampered by the inferior communications of the day.

the outcome of all this would be, the dire situation would instead be compounded by bureaucratic boundaries.

The Met Office knew all about the storm’s potential, whilst at the same time, the Admiralty Hydrographers Office had already been predicting an above average springtime that had sufficient height to be causing problems. The problem was there was no single organisation with oversight of the two sources of essential data, so no-one would do the simple math that excessive storm surge plus extra high tide would equate to… disaster.

Whilst there are those who subscribe to the view that climate change and rising sea levels are a good thing, for many sailors around our shores this two-pronged assault on coastal life might be a dominant feature in the media but is still ‘something off in the future’.

However, a focus on the events of 70 years ago can shift the whole issue of what is happening to both waves and weather from the conceptual into the harsh reality of what could happen in any of the big ‘named storms’ going forward.

Turning the clock back to January 1953, the weather was not dissimilar to what we have been experiencing recently, with strong winds bringing in icy blasts, especially for the eastern side of the UK.

For the weather forecasters, though, the real action was taking place way out west in the North Atlantic, where they had detected that a very vigorous depression was forming. The centre of the low was predicted to track halfway between the north of Scotland and Iceland then continue eastwards, but on those fateful days in 1953 the storm system turned 45 degrees to the southeast, which saw it starting to track down the North Sea.

Severe gale warnings had been issued in the BBC Shipping Forecast, but even so the conditions would claim the lives of countless fishermen.

Then came the news that the Princess Victoria, a ferry heading across the Irish Sea, had been swamped with the loss of 133 lives, with only 46 of the passengers and crew surviving the sinking.

Meanwhile, over in the North Sea, as 30 January rolled into 31 January, the storm would reach the super-critical state of ‘bombogenesis’, which meant a pressure drop of more than 24mb in 24 hours.

STORM TRACKING

The Meteorological Office had been tracking the storm’s progress, but events were now making it impossible to ignore the severity of the weather as winds over 100mph were being recorded, whilst Costa Hill on Orkney saw a peak of 121mph.

This wind had now tracked around to the north, which gave it the full ‘fetch’ of the North Sea, thus bringing two additional factors into play. From a geological viewpoint the North Sea resembles a funnel, with the distances between the eastern and western coastline reducing rapidly until they reach the narrow chokepoint of the Dover Straights. This would see the storm surge being pushed ahead of the strong northerlies starting to ‘pile up’ further south.

The second factor is a less well known feature called an Ekman Transport, where the Coriolis effect (caused by the rotation of the earth) results in water being forced outwards at 90 degrees to the wind direction. With the wind hard in the north, this saw even more of the surge directed westwards towards the English Coast. In those days before the clever computer programmes that could predict what

The first signs were noted on the East Coast during the day when, bizarrely, the ebb tide never really seemed to flow, then as darkness fell coastal flooding was reported on Tyneside. Again, though, the lack of any centralised warning system meant that further south people were going to bed on what was admittedly a wild and stormy night, but without any warnings of what was already happening to the north of them.

The mass communication medium back in 1953 would have been the BBC Radio service, but late on a Saturday night most of this was shut down and those warnings that were made mainly went unheard.

POORLY PREPARED

The rapidly rising sea levels now highlighted how poorly prepared the coastal areas had become, as most of what could be called defences had been put in place to stop a German invasion in 1940 and had not been updated since.

As each new stretch of coast was swamped, the waters rushing inland brought down power and telephone cables, which further reduced the ability to extend a warning of what was happening. On the Hunstanton to Kings Lynn railway, a train was forced to stop by the torrent of water flooding across the tracks, only for the locomotive to then be hit by a complete bungalow that had been torn away from its foundations.

Some communities did get the message and at Felixstowe Ferry, a small hamlet at the mouth of the River Deben, a few brave individuals went from house to house raising the alarm, thus preventing a greater loss of life. Sadly, just four miles south along the coast, the port of Felixstowe would be hit hard, with 41 deaths being reported, but worse was to come further south at Jaywick on the southern edge of Clacton.

Jaywick had been used as a relocation site for families bombed out of the East End of London during the Blitz and many of the hones were either prefabs or poorly constructed bungalows that offered little protection as the storm waters flooded inland. The problems were now being made worse, as it was not just the height of the water that was doing the damage, but the size of the waves that were crashing onwards into already

With the storm surge having a strong westerly component the Thames Estuary was always going to be at risk, with Foulness to the north and Reculver on the Kent coast quickly being inundated.

CANVEY ISLAND

The real tragedy would then strike at Canvey Island, where the sea defences were so badly breached that homes went from high and dry to more than 5ft underwater in less than 15 minutes and not long after that the water was 8ft deep! Even those residents who did escape found themselves at risk from exposure, with people who had been forced onto the roofs of their houses now at risk of dying from hypothermia.

Still the floods would push on, right into London where eastern areas both north and south of the Thames were flooded. By the following morning the storm had moved further east and the tide had receded, but what was left behind was a trail of near total devastation, with 58 dead on Canvey Island alone.

Across the North Sea, the Netherlands had been hit even harder, with more than 1,500 deaths, compared to the death toll in the UK of 307. For the UK, the material damage was felt hard in a country trying to escape the austerity of post war constraints, with 140,000 acres of land flooded (much of this had been under essential food production), 46,000 animals killed, two power stations shut down, 24,000 properties damaged and 32,000 people evacuated.

WHAT HAPPENED?

All that was left was to ask: how did this happen? The Waverley Committee was set up to investigate all aspects of the disaster and amongst their 26 recommendations were proposals for a complete overhaul of flood defences and plans for a national flood warning system, which today has culminated in Floodline, a highly efficient and accurate flood risk management programme.

The Waverley Committee also found that however bad the flood had been, it could have ended up even worse, as although colder than average, January 1953 had been drier, which resulted in lower inland water levels to start with.

One very tangible outcome was the first planning towards what would eventually be the Thames Barrier, though even this today is facing the growing risk of being overwhelmed.

Perhaps the bigger question for today is “could this happen again?” with the worrying answer being a clearcut “yes”. Climate change has already shown an ability to serve up a combination of punches, with excessive rainfall mixed in with extreme wind conditions, though in the era of our 24 hour news and constant communication we should at least be warned as to what to expect.

The fears, though, remain…. that one could go to sleep in the warmth only to wake up with the icy water lapping at our ankles. It sounds like a nightmare, but 70 years ago, this was the reality along our eastern seaboard.

To commemorate the anniversary of t e ds sse unt uncil c issi ned l ic c nt ins c i e t e nd ls e tu es inte ie s it su i s nd e s c nce t e e e t se l st t ei li es u c n tc t e ide n t e ll t e ce e

One of the big positive outcomes was focusing on the need to protect the vital areas of London, with the result being the iconic Thames Barrier. The concern now is that with rising sea levels, could even this last de ence finally be o er helmed

The Harbo r nn in o th old ol sho in the ood le el in

flooded areas.

The coastal comm nity o ay ic as hard hit a bitter blo or the amilies who had moved there to escape the wartime bombing in the East End

The east coast was a popular holiday destination in the early s or a eary pop lation b t it would be a long time before the area could recover from this level of destruction

Image: Philip Bird LRPS CPAGB / Shutterstock.com

Image: Royal Meteorological Society

Image: Royal Meteorological Society

ROUND-UP

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

HERE S YOUR ONE-STOP-SHOP OR MARINE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The code requires member organisations to:

■ Comply with all relevant legislation;

■ Maintain adequate levels of public liability, employer’s liability, occupier’s liability and professional indemnity liability insurance cover applicable to their business;

■ Strive to maintain the best practicable standard of service to their customers, treating them fairly and courteously;

■ Acknowledge customer’s reasonable enquiries or complaints promptly and respond to them within a reasonable period of time;

■ Where appropriate, encourage their customers to refer disputes which arise between them, and which cannot be resolved amicably, for resolution under the British Marine Mediation Scheme.

Some associations, for example British Marine Boat Retailers & Brokers, have additional sector specific safeguards to which all members of that association must also adhere. This includes members who hire day boats and holidays boats on the inland waterways or Broads, who must hold a current Quality Assured Boatyard scheme certificate at all times.

For many of us, when we start looking for a specific product or service our first stop is most likely an online search, followed by endless scrolling through customer reviews to determine whether or not they are a reputable business offering quality products and services.

The same can be said for sourcing marine products. You may start by searching online or follow up a word-of-mouth recommendation, but one sure fire way to find high-quality marine products and services with guaranteed high standards and great service is via the British Marine ‘Find a member’ tool.

‘Find a member’ is a one stop shop of all British Marine’s 1,500+ members offering a range of marine products and services, including boating holidays and charter companies, chandlery and marine stores, boat builders, riggers and decking suppliers

as well as training course providers and many more. ‘Find a member’ has been designed to be easy to use and you can search for members by keyword as well as location. So, whether you are looking for boat rentals in Windermere or safety equipment in Surrey, a simple search will show you all the member organisations within a given radius offering the products and services you are looking for.

You will receive details of all the relevant companies meeting your search criteria with details of the distance from your search postcode, description of the company, relevant contact details, social media information and a link to their website.

It is also great way for British Marine member organisations to find products and services that fellow members can provide.

Take a look at mymembership.britishmarine.co.uk/ membership/find-a-member

British Marine Code of Practice

Although ‘Find a member’ does not list all marine businesses, only those who are members of British Marine, one of the benefits of ‘Find a member’ is you know you are dealing with a company that adheres to a professional code of practice.

British Marine believes it is critical for customers to be able to trust each of its members, so all British Marine member companies are required to abide by British Marine’s Code of Practice.

This Code of Practice outlines the expected conduct and business practices of its members and all members are required to annually declare themselves as compliant with the Code of Practice.

Look out for the logo

Another way to identify a British Marine member organisation is by looking out for the British Marine logo.

Long established as a sign of quality in the marine sector, many member organisations display this logo on their promotional material and websites to let customers know they are dealing with a business that meets British Marine’s high standards, whether they are buying a boat or any marine-related service or product.

So, next time you are looking for a marine business or service, visit ‘Find a member’ or look out for the British Marine logo.

British Marine is the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry. Our 1,500+ members come from a broad range of businesses including boat builders, chandlers, brokers, marinas, passenger boats and engines. British Marine also own and operate the o thampton nternational Boat ho and ondon ry oat as ell as r nnin the onthewater.co.uk website (www.onthewater.co.uk) to help connect people with their local watersports’ providers, from sailing in Scotland to kayaking in Kent. Find out more about British Marine at www.britishmarine.co.uk.

Image: Nick Bailey/photobailey.com

Image: Karen Bornhoft Photography 2021

SAIL AWAY

ITALIAN CUISINE PONZA FLOTILLA

For foodie-travellers looking to discover Italy’s best kept culinary secrets, Sunsail has launched a specialist Italian Cuisine Ponza Flotilla by SailEATtalia.

New and unique

Sailing Holidays is always looking for new ways to explore the Greek Islands, whether coming up with interesting and different routes or putting on new dates for popular routes. Here are a few to tempt you…

One week Whole Ionian in June - usually only available in April or October, join a week Whole Ionian one-way flotilla taking in highlights from the North and South Ionian areas.

Sail on 18 or 25 June from £995pp

Flotilla through the Evia gulf - a rare opportunity to explore a different part of Greece. Despite its proximity to Athens, Evia remains a largely unspoiled island.

Sail on 12 or 19 May for two weeks from £1,265pp

New Faraway Islands dates - due to popular demand there are extra dates for the more adventurous Faraway Islands flotilla. Looking for empty bays, more consistent wind and the chance to visit places off-the-beatentrack... this could be the one for you.

Sail on 16 or 30 July, 13 or 27 August from £1,755pp

Sail on 1 or 15 October for two weeks from £1,015pp www.sailingholidays.com

EDream Yacht Worldwide and Fountaine Pajot have announced a partnership to launch the first of its collection of electric catamarans which they expect “to have a significant global impact toward more sustainable sea holiday experiences”.

Powerful and highly efficient electric engines power the new Aura 51, with two lithium technology battery banks for storage – providing power for hours of motor cruising, or as much as a week at anchor, without any emissions.

“By partnering and supporting

With departures available from July, guests will be taken on a gastronomic adventure, setting sail along the Amalfi Coast to the Pontine Islands to uncover Italy’s local cuisine.

The flotilla begins in the glamourous port town of Procida, with picture perfect pastel houses and indigo seas. Guests will be given a warm Italian welcome with drinks and a pizza party.

Then it is a short crossing towards Ischia on the second day to the port town of Forio. The artisanal restaurant on the side of the mountain provides a breath-taking backdrop to sample wines from the traditional wine cellar. From there sailors head towards the

island of Ventotene, stopping in the harbour of Porto Romano to enjoy a traditional meal in one of the local restaurants. On day four, the flotilla makes its way to Ponza, renowned for its unspoiled beaches, blue caves and shipwrecks.

Before sailing back to Ischia, there is a visit to the uninhabited Palmarola. With a rugged landscape and hidden caves, and thriving flora and fauna, this island is an idyllic destination for exploration, diving and swimming.

Caroline Barbour, UK marketing manager for Sunsail, said: “The most sociable way to tour the Amalfi Coast, this flotilla holiday is perfect for foodies looking to meet like-minded people and to enjoy a unique and memorable experience.

“A flotilla is a great option for all experience levels, as you will be sailing alongside other yachts following an

expert lead boat, which has crew on board to help with any problems, day or night, with as much independent exploration as the heart desires. You do not need to have sailed before to

go on a Sunsail holiday as there is the option to hire a skipper, which is ideal for those new to sailing or who would prefer a helping hand.”

Prices for a one-week Italian Cuisine Ponza Flotilla, departing 22 July 2023, start from £3,171 based on two people and includes a fully equipped Sunsail 311 yacht, flotilla fee, support from a lead yacht, assistance with moorings at each stop and marine park permit. At each daily morning briefing, the lead crew advises on the day’s sailing, ideal routes, weather conditions and hidden gems to discover.

www.sunsail.co.uk

the research and development of electric yachts, we can continue to make sailing accessible to people around the world but with a lower impact on our seas and environment,” said Loïc Bonnet, CEO and founder of Dream Yacht Group.

“Being environmentally conscious is central to our mission to protect our planet and oceans, and we are confident that our charter clients will support this endeavour.”

With additional electric models in development by Fountaine Pajot, and a growing electric charter fleet for Dream Yacht Worldwide,

the release of the Aura 51 Smart Electric is the first step in an ongoing commitment and joint ambition of achieving an all-electric yacht offering zero carbon emissions by 2030. In total 22 electric yachts are expected to join the Dream Yacht fleet by spring 2024. Of these, 10 will be sailing catamarans and 12 will be sailing yachts from Dufour, a part of the Fountaine Pajot Group.

The first Aura 51 Smart Electric will be available for booking in the Dream Yacht fleet in Italy from April.

www.dreamyachtcharter.com

Yacht

Paul Clough: +34 629 166 927

Many of us are familiar with the boat hire and yacht charter business Borrow A Boat, but you might not know the group has expanded into several new countries in the last 12 months, including France, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The rise of interest from US sailors has seen bookings across Europe and, not surprisingly, Greece and Croatia top the list with their easy sailing, fascinating culture and beautiful weather. The strength of the Dollar versus the Euro has further fuelled the growth in

holidaymakers from the US in the Med. Not ones to hang around, 2023 objectives for Borrow A Boat include further European expansion with the release of dedicated new country websites in the coming months.

Boats of all types are available for rental, including sailboats, motorboats, riverboats, RIBs, catamarans, gulets, superyachts and luxury yacht charters. Customers can choose a boat with or without a skipper, depending on their sailing experience. www.borrowaboat.com

on your dream holiday this year with the latest news and offers

Image: Aerial-motion/Shutterstock

Image: Kite_rin / Shutterstock

NEW CATAMARAN COMING

The Moorings 403 Power Catamaran will be ready to make its inaugural cruise in the British Virgin Islands and Abacos from November 2023.

Designed to sleep up to six guests, The Moorings 403PC offers a fully equipped L-shaped galley and three double cabins, each fitted with generous island beds and sea views.

Outside, guests can appreciate the numerous spaces, including the largest flybridge ever seen on a 40-footer, aft cockpit, aft decks and sunbathing areas, accessible through the side decks or directly from the saloon via the forward door.

The 403PC is equipped with the latest in yacht technology and features. This includes inside steering providing maximum safety with a peripheral view of the sea, surround sound with speakers in the saloon, aft cockpit and flybridge, a domestic refrigerator, underwater lights and air conditioning.

Caroline Barbour, UK marketing manager for The Moorings, said: “Further enhancing our charter options for customers seeking paradise in the BVIs or Abacos, the 403 PC offers complete freedom to explore with speed and style from the deck of a luxury power catamaran.”

Charter service launched

Boatshed.com has launched a new service, BoatshedCharter. Initially boating enthusiasts can choose from 47 boats (monohull and catamaran) and a range of manufacturers including Jeanneau, Beneteau and Dehler.

All professionally managed by charter companies and catering for differing budgets, the boats are moored in Athens, Lefkada and Volos, in Greece, and are available with or without crew.

The move supports experienced and novice sailors keen to explore new regions; from their bases, the boats can be used for sailing holidays around the Cyclades and Saronic islands, Ionian islands and Sporades islands.

Vangelis Papagrigoriou (pictured), head of BoatshedCharter, said: “We only list boats where we have met the owners or fleet operators. Our ethos is total transparency and it is a view appreciated by all.”

Boatshed.com founder, Neil Chapman, added: “Entering the charter business fulfils our ambition to become a ‘one stop shop’ for boating enthusiasts, no matter what they require. Over the next few months we intend to partner with more charter companies ffer for charter.” www.BoatshedCharter.com

Prices for a one-week charter departing on 1 November 2023 from Marsh Harbour, Abacos, Bahamas, for a fully equipped Moorings 403PC, based on four people, starts from £13,869 and includes yacht damage insurance and charter tax.

Prices for a one-week charter departing on 1 November 2023 from Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, for a fully equipped Moorings 403PC, based on four people, starts from £12,958 and includes yacht damage insurance, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue contribution, national parks permit and charter tax. www.moorings.co.uk

NIt is one of the unwritten rules that charter boats get cheaper to rent or charter with their age. It is a statement which has been true since the advent of modern leisure sailing, and makes sense because as boats get older, they lose a little of their sheen and become a little less comfortable and desirable.

But no more - analysis by yacht and catamaran charter experts PlainSailing.com shows that over the last year, prices for renting a yacht and catamaran for a week have risen by as much as 34 per cent in some parts of the Med.

Whilst charter fees in Italy have risen by a modest 11 per cent on average, boats in Greece have risen by an inflation-busting 23 per cent and boats in Croatia by a staggering 28 per cent - meaning that if you chartered the same boat as you chartered last year, you will have to pay more for the pleasure in 2023 (but it is now a year older).

Charter fee increases vary by charter operator, type of boat and the dates and place you are hoping to travel from. The biggest increase noted was for a four-cabin 2022 Dufour 460 in Trogir, which saw its price jump 34 per cent from its price for the second week in June 2022 to the same week in June 2023.

Whilst the price of fuel, the scarcity of boat spare-parts and rising local wages offers some explanation for the price increases, the biggest reason is the exceptionally high

demand for boat charters over the past few years. Post Covid, for whatever reason, sailing holidays and boat charters have been getting booked up earlier, and there are weeks in peak season when occupancy rates for charter boats reach 99 per cent (previously this figure hovered around 82 per cent).

Tommy Tognarelli, co-founder of PlainSailing.com, said: “Whilst some of the price rises are down to the cost pressures that charter operators face - with their fleets of boats, rising costs of spare parts, staff and marina fees - there is almost certainly an element of upward pressure on prices from the crazy demand we have seen over the last few years, when almost every boat is fully booked through the summer season.

“Fortunately, there are a few ways which sailors can navigate inflation – such as switching to an older or smaller boat than they might otherwise have chosen, by getting extra people on board to split the bills (insurance permitting), or by travelling at a slightly different time of the year – generally peak-peak-peak prices are in late July or early August, and the further away you can sail from that date, the lower the charter prices are.

“At the moment, there are also earlybooking discounts available, which could make all the difference.”

PlainSailing.com

FURTHER INFORMATION

■ www.nautilusyachting.com

■ www.seafarersailing.co.uk

■ www.bviyachtcharters.com

■ www.ocean-elements.co.uk

■ www.moorings.co.uk

■ www.dreamyachtcharter.com

■ www.borrowaboat.com

■ www.yachtmanagementmallorca.com

■ sunsail.co.uk

■ PlainSailing.com

■ www.sailingholidays.com

■ www.BoatshedCharter.com

Image:lucadp/Shutterstock

CRUISING MATTERS

The latest news and views from the Cruising Association.

e ded i e i t eet t e eed r i i i r d r ide   er i e i r ti e d d i e t t d e er r d ide   r re i r ti i it  t e r R R

The CA’s Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS) provides regulatory and technical advice, guidance and know-how to CA members and the wider cruising community. RATS regularly updates CA members on the latest developmentsin the world of cruising via the CA website, monthly newsletter and the quarterly Cruising magazine - as well as providing bespoke answers to individual member queries. This service supports all members, wherever they are in the world.

Here RATS shares insights on some of the recent issues impacting the cruising community:

Flare Recall - On 1 January 2023, a Dutch sailor was killed by a malfunctioning flare during a passage in the Pacific Ocean. The sailor fired the flare just after midnight to celebrate the New Year. Unfortunately, despite being deployed correctly, the flare malfunctioned and, despite the efforts of the crew, the sailor died shortly after the incident.

The flare was manufactured by the Spanish company LECEA and was a rocket parachute flare (model L-35) from a batch manufactured in 2021. These flares are only sold in Spain and the malfunctioning flare was most likely purchased in Gran Canaria before the start of the ARC in November 2021. LECEA has issued a recall of these flares. The Dutch water safety board has also issued a warning.

RATS recommends that CA members check that they are not in possession of the recalled flares. In the UK, pyrotechnic flares must be carried as a legal requirement if your boat is longer than 13.7m. Otherwise, owners can decide if flares should be on board. Other means of communication, including VHF radios, mobile phones, internet phones and EPIRBs or PLBs, should generally be used in emergency situations. And certainly flares should never be fired to celebrate the New Year.

Calor Gas - Calor Gas has officially withdrawn the 4.5kg butane bottle. After a couple of years of poor availability Calor UK has officially announced that it is withdrawing the Cube, 3.9kg propane, 4.5kg butane, 6 litre propane and 12kg butane cylinders. It will not refund the deposit on empty cylinders unless you have the original paperwork.

Many older British boats have lockers especially designed to take the 4.5kg butane bottles. Their only choice may now be to use the Campingaz 907, which holds just 2.72kg of gas and last year was costing as much as £50 for an exchange cylinder. If the gas locker can be enlarged, without of course compromising safety, other alternatives may be available from

YOU ARE INVITED… R R CRUISING IN EUROPE

Led by the Regulatory and Technical Services group (RATS), this CA talk at 1900hrs on 8 March will feature a number of short presentations with the focus on advice cruisers can use in practice. RATS will share updates on several live topics including orcas, cruising through windfarms, cruising in Europe now including the latest on VAT and the Recreational Craft Directive, followed by a Q&A session.

The RATS Seminar is open to members and non-members; you can attend in-person at CA House, London or watch live on Zoom. Find out more and book at www.theca.org.uk/events/ca-london-lecture-080323

companies such as Safefill (whose cylinders can be refilled relatively cheaply, but not always easily, at an LPG filling station) or Flogas, which offers a butane cylinder of a similar size to the Calor 4.5kg. CA members can access information on alternatives via the CA forums. Currently UK availability of smaller gas bottles is patchy and exchange options in marine locations may be limited.

Calor said: “Improving our cylinder service is a priority. Our existing range of cylinders is creating complexity within our supply chain. This means longer change-over times and reduced filling capacity on high

R

volume key sizes. That is why we have taken the difficult decision to reduce our cylinder range, simplifying the business.”

Its advice to anyone who was dependent on the old cylinders is: “We recommend reaching out to a local gas safe registered engineer who can safely advise on any changes required to your gas cylinder set up.”

Biometric Entry/Exit Scheme delayed - the EU has recently announced a further delay in the introduction of a new biometric Entry and Exit System, originally planned for 2022 and then May 2023. The system is now planned for late 2023, so will not impact most cruising sailors this season.

Under EES all non-EU visitors entering the EU will be physically scanned for biometric information and have their passport scanned electronically. It is reported that new biometric booths are being installed at Ports of Entry across the EU. However, concerns about the practical implementation remain and significant delays, particularly at ferry ports, are expected.

The overall aim of the system is to allow Schengen countries to control their borders via a common electronic system and the set up will probably be somewhat similar to the familiar biometric recognition systems used at airports, although it appears that non-EU citizens may now also be required to undergo additional fingerprint checking.

What remains unclear is how this process could work for those arriving by small vessels at a marina where there are no biometric passport facilities. There are concerns that the recent flexibility shown by some French marinas will not be possible in the future, and all entry and exit authorisation will have to be via the official ports of entry. The CA will continue to use its local connections to monitor the system and explore opportunities for authorities to create practical systems which work for cruising sailors.

In addition to the EES system for biometric identity checking at the border, the EU is also due to introduce an electronic travel authorisation system for non-EU citizens planning to visit the EU. The European Travel Information and Authorization System scheme is also now due for late 2023 and will apply to visitors who have been granted visa-free access to the EU and Schengen member countries (such as those travelling under the visa-free Schengen 90/180 scheme).

An application for travel authorisation under ETIAS must be made online for every non-EU traveller wanting to travel. It will allow the EU to pre-screen and approve (or otherwise) non-EU security credentials before travel. There will be a fee of €7 per traveller, except those under 18 or over 70.

Airlines and ferry operators will not allow travellers without an ETIAS travel authorisation to board a plane or ship and anyone arriving by small boat without an ETIAS authorisation could be treated as a potential illegal immigrant.

Image: Eddie Jordan Photos / Shutterstock.com

NEW AND UPDATED INLAND WATERWAYS GUIDES FOR EUROPE

New and updated, print and digital editions of the Cruising Association’s six main European Inland Waterways Cruising Guides covering Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands have been published for 2023, together with a series of 16 guides to moorings on France’s inland waterways.

Authored and edited under the auspices of the CA’s European Inland Waterways Section, all guides are written from expert firsthand experience.

They are available in A4 size full colour print or PDF digital format via the CA online shop at www.theca. org.uk/catalog. CA members can download the guides free of charge in PDF format.

Cruising the Inland Waterways of France and Belgium - described as their ‘Bible’ by those planning passage to/from the Mediterranean, this guide is packed with information on routes, preparations, supplies, equipment, licences, documents, useful addresses, books and websites and lists around 250 mooring places.

Through France via the Inland Waterways - aimed at moderate draught vessels (up to 1.8m), this guide contains the information and preparations required to transit any of the four principal routes to the

Med, including equipment, licences, documentation, sources of navigation, managing locks, supplies, moorings and more, along with 100+ hyperlinks to port/marina/boatyard and other websites.

Through the Netherlands via the Standing Mast Routes - provides detailed navigation information on 14 different transit routes in the Netherlands, spanning nearly 1,000kms of waterways from Vlissingen near the Belgian border to Delfzijl close to the German border.

50 Great Cruising Routes in the Netherlands - this presents 50 cruising routes across the Netherlands, with detailed information and step-by-step navigation details, bridge and lock, moorings and facilities, along with sources of information on every aspect of Netherlands cruising.

Cruising the River Moselle/Mosel - covering the 394kms of the river from Neuves-Maisons in France through Luxembourg and Germany, to join the Rhine at Koblenz, this guide includes step-by-step navigation details for the river, including distances, bridge heights, lock dimensions and VHF channels, descriptions of moorings and facilities and information on visitor attractions enroute.

The German Rhine - covers about 725km, from the start of the navigable reach of the river at Rheinfelden to Nijmegen, just inside the Dutch border. Covering hazards and highlights, the guide includes a detailed list of mooring points, fuel stations, ports and harbours, useful websites and sources of commercially published information.

French Inland Waterways Mooring Guides

Spanning both rivers and canals, the comprehensive EIWS mooring guides cover the Canal du Centre, Canal du Loing and Canal de Briare, Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne, Canal Latéral à la Loire, Canal Latéral à la Marne, the River Marne, the Upper Moselle, Canal du Rhône au Rhin, Canal du Rhône au Rhin (Nord) and Canal de Colmar, Canal de la Marne au Rhin (Est), Canal de la Marne au Rhin (Ouest), Petite Saône, Canal de la Sarre and River Saar, Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne, Canal de l’Oise à l’Aisne and Canal Latéral à l’Aisne and River Aisne.

Details are provided on all the marinas, haltes and other mooring points along the waterways, together with information on facilities, shopping and nearby attractions. Each mooring point is illustrated by a colour photo, making the current guides the only detailed pictorial reference available for cruising on the French rivers and canals.

YOU ARE INVITED: The CA runs a comprehensive autumn/winter lecture and event programme from October to April. All lectures are open to members and to support the wider cruising community and many are open to ‘non-members’ too. The calendar is really interesting, so take a look and book at www.theca.org.uk/events/all

Follow the Cruising Association

@cruisingassociation@cruising_assoc@cruisingassociation

Disclaimer: Any advice has been prepared by the Cruising Association, its members and others and they and it have tried to ensure that the contents are accurate. However, the Cruising Association, its employees, contributors and relevant members shall not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience of any kind howsoever arising in connection with the use of such advice, save to the extent required by applicable law.

OFF WATCH SUDOKU

Place a number (from 1 to 9 inclusive) into each square in such a way that every digit appears once in each horizontal row, each vertical column and each box of nine squares.

Across

1 Region adjacent to a wharf (8)

5 Floury bread rolls (4)

8 Evergreen shrub related to the tea plant, grown for its showy flowers (8)

10 Raise an objection (7)

11 Kill by submerging in water (5)

12 Male member of a clan (9)

15 Whipping boy (9)

18 Raise (a flag, for example) (5)

19 Headed o (7)

22 Making up one’s mind (8)

23 Move with great haste (4)

CROSSWORD

Solve the puzzle, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out a type of water vessel.

24 Went to regularly (for example school, church, etc) (8)

Down

1 Tenth part of a century (6)

2 Country, capital Phnom Penh (8)

3 Without a sound (6)

4 Trickle (4)

6 Second wife of King Henry VIII, ___ Boleyn (4)

7 Modify, tone down (6)

9 Peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf (6)

13 Rocky and steep (6)

14 Changed in form or character (8)

15 Formed, fashioned (6)

16 Three times (6)

17 Deliberately arranged for e ect (6)

20 Idiots (4)

21 Amount owed (4)

CODEWORD

Each letter of the alphabet has been given a di erent 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.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 38

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 di erent sections of the wheel.

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

Nine-letter word(s):

MARINA FOCUS PENARTH MARINA

MORE INFORMATION

Marina Manager: Stuart Jones

Phone: 02920 705021

Penarth Marina can be found in the historic basins of Penarth Docks in Cardiff Bay, providing a perfect location for exploring the Bristol Channel.

After the current marina was opened in 1987 and the Cardiff Bay Barrage completed in 1999, Penarth has evolved over the years to become a favourite sheltered and secure location for boating enthusiasts to get out on the water. On the doorstep of Cardiff Bay and Cardiff City Centre, it is conveniently

located while having its own strong sense of local community.

The marina has been awarded 5 Gold Anchors by The Yacht Harbour Association and has extensive on-site facilities for visitors and berth holders, making it a popular choice for novice and experienced boaters alike.

FACILITIES & BERTHING

Penarth Marina has 320 berths which can accommodate vessels up to 72ft. 12-month berths up to six metres start at £300/m and £400/m for over six metres. All berths are fully serviced and the marina has 24-hour staffing, security and CCTV.

It offers a fully equipped boatyard for lifting boats and storing ashore up to 20 tonnes. The boatyard team are fully trained to provide a professional, safe service when handling boats.

Pura Vida Marine is located next to the hoist dock and offers a variety of boat cleaning packages ranging from monthly boat washing to complete hull polishing and antifouling in the yard. They also provide engine, electrical and general boat repairs. All annual berth holders are entitled to four-weeks yard storage at no

extra cost, with availability for customers who want to carry out maintenance on their boats ashore. The hardstanding is fully serviced with electricity and water, accommodating a range of vessels using cradles or chocked on blocks and stands. Masts up to one tonne can be lifted by the jib crane for stepping and un-stepping services. There is an on-site chandlery which provides a selection of engine spares, antifouls, cleaning products and basic items. There is also a supermarket five minutes’ walk away for restocking empty galley cupboards.

■ Recently extended on-site restaurant, The Deck, offering stunning views;

■ Free Wi-Fi for all customers;

■ 22 high-definition CCTV cameras cover the marina for security;

■ A fuel berth offering Unleaded and Gasoil from 9am-5pm;

■ Customer trolleys available outside the facility building;

■ Free parking for berth holders in the three car parks along the edge of the outer basin and pay and display for visitors;

■ Cardiff Harbour Authority provides pump out facilities outside the marina entrance;

■ 24-hour access to the water.

ACCESS

By sea: The marina is located inside Cardiff Bay Barrage. When arriving by sea through the Barrage locks, the marina is immediately to port. Vessels should call Penarth Marina on VHF Channel 80 to inform the team of their intended arrival whilst they are waiting in the Barrage Lock, or immediately after entering Cardiff Bay.

By road: The marina is located just seven miles from Junction 33 of the M4 motorway and 3.8 miles from Cardiff city centre. The car parks are well signposted from the marina entrance and are free for berth holders. Navigate to Penarth Marina, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 1TQ.

By train: Penarth Marina is walking distance (around 15 minutes) from both Penarth and Cogan train stations, both of which have frequent trains to and from Cardiff Central.

CRUISING

Being in Cardiff Bay means Penarth is the perfect spot for exploring the Bristol Channel. If you are looking to stay on the Welsh coast, head west around the headland and you will pass Barry Island, made famous by the sitcom Gavin and Stacey.

Heading further west will take you to the charming town of Porthcawl, which is surrounded by beautiful beaches. To continue your cruise, continue along the coast and head for Swansea, about 46nm from Penarth. Known as Wales’s second city, there is plenty to do and see both in the city and along this part of the Gower Coast.

Cruising up the Bristol Channel will take you towards Gloucester, however cruising in the Severn estuary this far up has its own navigation challenges with the tidal ranges, so access to Gloucester is found via the Gloucester Sharpness Canal.

Penarth is also a great launching point to explore southern English coastal towns, many being a short day’s sail across the Bristol Channel. These include Portishead, Minehead, Watchet and Porlock. For longer trips head west along the English coast into Cornwall, making sure to stop off in the picturesque town of Padstow.

OUT AND ABOUT

Situated on the South Wales coast in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan, Penarth has long been a hotspot for British tourists. The vibrant town is within walking distance of the marina and is filled with shops, restaurants and pubs.

Situated within the marina is The Deck, which is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy freshly prepared food or even just a drink and a chat with friends in a stunning waterside location. Recently refurbished, The Deck offers a wide variety of food each day with a menu for every occasion including breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea. Dishes include food to share and classic plates, from fillet steak to seafood dishes, including Moules marinière,

seared seabass and fish and chips, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

For those looking for local pubs, The Oystercatcher is a short walk west of the marina and The Pilot is just south, but up on the hill. For those looking to re-stock their food supplies, a Tesco Superstore is located five minutes from the marina on Terra Nova Way.

On the opposite side of the bay is Mermaid Quay and Cardiff Waterfront, which are full of bustling restaurants, shops and venues. A short taxi or train journey from the marina can take you into Cardiff city centre. The modern metropolitan city is rich with history and culture. Must-sees are the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff Castle and the Victorian arcades for a spot of shopping.

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION

“Jackie and l both retired four years ago and live in St Fagans in Cardiff. We have been proud boat owners for the last nine years after purchasing our first yacht, Songbird, a Hunter Legend 326, which was already berthed in Penarth Marina. We bought a new Jeanneau 41 DS, White Swan, for our retirement and chose to extend our berthing with Penarth Marina as we were impressed with the friendliness, helpfulness and commitment of the marina team.

“We have peace of mind knowing our boat is secure and checkedregularly while we are away.The marina facilities are always clean and fresh. We also like the area around the marina which includes great pubs and restaurants, the opportunity of sailing the Cardiff Bay area or walking to Mermaid Quay or the city centre.It is so easy to slip away to the boat anytime we choose. Portishead is a great place to sail over to for a few days and catching the bus to the surrounding towns is easy. We have also met lovely friends and have had so much fun on B Pontoon.”

Tony and Jackie

"Situated on the South Wales coast in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan, Penarth has long been a hotspot for British tourists"

MARINA GUIDE

MARCH 2023

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

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

MDL DARTSIDE QUAY

Manager: Alex Warner

Galmpton Creek, Brixham, Devon

T: 01803 845445

W: www.dartsidequay.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

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

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: office@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 Wagstaff 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 Office. 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

Contact name: Adam Pryce-Jones Bursledon Bridge, Southampton SO31 8AZ

T 023 80 402253

E:deacons@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

MDL HYTHE MARINA VILLAGE

Manager: Chas Kirkby The Lock Building, Shamrock Way Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire.

SO45 6DY

T: 023 8020 7073

E: hythe@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.hythemarinavillage.co.uk

Environmental protection

On the shores of the River Crouch in rural Essex, a family-owned marina is taking steps to ensure the environment stays protected for years to come.

Fambridge Yacht Haven has installed two state-of-the-art interceptor tanks, designed to ensure oils, paint fragments and other materials are prevented from re-entering the river when boats are lifted ashore. The new system, the ‘Morclean Reclaim System’, is housed in an Environmental Wash Centre alongside the slipway and

MDL OCEAN VILLAGE MARINA

Manager: Lauren McCann Marina Office, 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

collects and cleans water used when washing boats, making it available for further use, thus reducing water wastage. Furthermore, following a partnership with a new waste provider, the marina says that zero site waste now ends up in l nd ll

Less than an hour from central London, Fambridge Yacht Haven is home to over 400 boats spread across the marina and swinging moorings. yachthavens.com/Fambridge

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 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

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

Marina businesses optimistic

Demand for marina and mooring berths is above pre-pandemic levels, a new report has shown.

British Marine has released the UK Marina and Mooring Market Report 2021-22, providing insight into a wide range of economic indicators for the UK‘s marina and mooring sector.

Broken down into three sections - the UK Marina and Moorings sector, the inland marine and moorings sector and the coastal marina and moorings sector - the report provides data on a range of areas including revenue growth; usiness nd c nsu e c n dence boating participation; berth and moorings capacity and occupancy; estimates for marina developments and sentiment data on current and future berth demand.

Of the 723 marinas in the UK, 173 took part in the survey (23 per cent, providing 42 per cent of marina berths and moorings).

Customers’ digital journey

D-Marin has unveiled a new product that aims to revolutionise its customers’ convenience as they use its marinas. It aims to fully digitalise the customer journey regarding energy consumption, digital payment, remote metering and control.

Customers will no longer need t ente t e in ce or queue and wait for energy supply, instead they will have full control of the opening and closing of power sockets and remote

ROYAL CLARENCE MARINA

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

T: 023 9252 3523

E: info@royalclarencemarina.org

W: www.royalclarencemarina.org

e ndin s t e e t include:

• Revenues from marina berthing income grew 13 per cent to £283m in e ectin t e i ct t e sector’s recovery from the pandemic on berthing demand and revenues.

• Despite increasing challenges from in ti n nd declinin ec n ic growth, marina businesses are optimistic about their market, with 54 per cent of members still positive about their company’s prospects, citing the continued effect of the pandemic boom in second-hand boat sales and demand for berths over the last year. 56 per cent of respondents reported that demand for berths was still above pre-pandemic levels.

“It is encouraging that despite increasing c llen es in ti n nd declinin economic growth, marina businesses are optimistic about their market,” said Lesley Robinson, CEO, British Marine.

MORE MARINA NEWS...

Dover’s new marina, known as the ‘Outer Marina’, is to fully open on 1 April with a variety of leisure vessels mooring with the iconic White Cliffs as a stunning backdrop. Creating a vibrant waterfront location there will be shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and more.

Chris Windsor, marina manager, said: “It will be a very proud day to see the new marina take pride of place on the seafront. We have worked hard over the years to ensure that the facilities are at their best and any challenges are overcome so that our berth holders can take full advantage of their new home.”

Contact: marina@doverport.com

Find out more about the marina in the next issue of All at Sea!

Puerto Sherry, in the Bay of Cádiz, has joined the TransEurope Marinas network, which is an association of marinas in 12 European countries representing more than 40,000 berths for recreational boaters.

Boatyard’s Customer Portal provides boaters with a single place to access all their boat information, request service and manage communication with their preferred marine dealers, marinas and service providers.

Plans have been unveiled for a £200m Town Quay development in Southampton. If accepted the plans will see restaurants, food halls, a large new marina, apartments, a hotel, bar and conference and spa facilities created. It would also provide public access to the waterfront, which has been inaccessible.

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

Manager: Carl Jarmaine

Gunwharf Quays, Marina Office 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

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

measurement of consumption, as well as full control of costs. The e ene t t e s t edest l is that it can be controlled by the customer online, at the touch of a button.

D-Marin’s smart pedestal will be rolled out at all its marinas, et tted t e istin edest ls throughout 2023.

D-Marin operates 16 marinas in Greece, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy, totalling almost 10,000 berths. www.d-marin.com

COWES HARBOUR SHEPARDS MARINA

Manager: Jock Rafferty

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

Harbour Master - Alan Mackay

The Duver, St Helens, PO33 1YB

T: 01983 872828

E : mail@bembridgeharbour.co.uk

W: www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk

YARMOUTH HARBOUR

Harbour Office, 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

Manager: Mark Baker Northney Road, Hayling Island, PO11 0NH

T: 023 9246 6321

E: northney@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.northneymarina.co.uk

MDL SPARKES MARINA

Manager: Mark Baker

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

SMALL BOATS WELCOME

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 (LYC) Rope House, Rope Walk Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5DH

Office: 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

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

Address: 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

D-Marin and Spanish marina group Marinas del Mediterráneo have announced a partnership. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona, Puerto Marina La Duquesa and Puerto Marina del Este, all situated on the Costa del Sol with a combined 1,000 e t s ill ec e t e st in s in Spain to join D-Marin’s marinas.

Read more marina news at allatsea.co.uk

MARINA GUIDE

MARCH 2023

KENT

GILLINGHAM MARINA

Manager: Chris Aldous

173 Pier Road, Gillingham, Kent. ME7 1UB

T: 01634 280022

E: berthing@gillingham-marina.co.uk

SUFFOLK

MDL WOOLVERSTONE MARINA

Assistant Manager: Shane Cheshire Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk. IP9 1AS

T: 01473 780206

E: woolverstone@mdlmarinas.co.uk

W: www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk

PENARTH MARINA

Manager: Stuart Jones Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, F64 1TQ

T: 02920 705021

E: penarth@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

NEYLAND YACHT HAVEN

SCOTLAND

RHU MARINA

Contact: Suzanne Bell

Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LH

T: 01436 820238

E: rhu@boatfolk.co.uk

W: www.boatfolk.co.uk

KERRERA MARINA

Contact : Tim Vollum

Ardentrive Bay, Kerrera, Oban, Scotland, PA34 4SX

T: 01631 565333

W: office@kerreramarina.com

W: www.kerreramarina.com

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

www.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

Address - Dover Marina, Crosswall Quay, Union Street, Dover, Kent, CT179BN

T +44 (0) 1304 241 663

E marina@doverport.co.uk

W www.doverport.co.uk/marina

SURREY

MDL PENTON HOOK MARINA

Manager: Paul Messenger Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey. KT16 8PY

T: 01932 568681

E: pentonhook@mdlmarinas.co.uk

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

LOWESTOFT HAVEN MARINA

Manager: Bob Beare

Manager: James Cotton Brunel Quay, Pembrokeshire, SA73 1PY

LARGS YACHT HAVEN

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

Y Lanfa Aberystwyth, Trefechan SY23 1AS

T: 01970 611422

E: aber@themarinegroup.co.uk

W: www.themarinegroup.co.uk

CARDIFF MARINA

Manager: Andy Coles OBE

Watkiss Way, Cardiff. 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 796518

E: enquiries@milfordmarina.com

W: www.milfordmarina.com

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 Office

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

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

Manager: Carolyn Elder 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

HOLLAND

JACHTHAVEN BIESBOSCH

Manager: Renate Ilmer Nieuwe Jachthaven 54924 BA, Drimmelen, NL

T: +31 (0)162 682249

E: info@jachthavenbiesbosch.nl

W: www.jachthavenbiesbosch.nl

www.allatsea.co.uk/paper More than just a berth. Find out why at: premiermarinas.com/premieradvantage Spring has arrived and we are here to help you take to the water for another fantastic season of boating with friends and family... STARTING ON PAGE 14

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Read PAGE 22

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

ITALY

MARINARA

Front Desk: Federica Civilla Via Marinara 11, Marina di Ravenna, 48122 Italy

T: (0039) 0544 531644

E: info@marinara.it

£150! Image: Shutterstock/ Avigator Fortuner

THE CHANGING FACE OF MARINAS

The purchase of Jachthaven Biesbosch, previously called Drimmelen Marina and owned by the local municipality, was completed by Yacht Havens Group in early 2013. The marina group already owned eight award-winning locations in the UK, and Jachthaven Biesbosch was the Group’s first venture into Europe.

“We were attracted by the vast potential of the marina,” explains Yacht Havens Group managing director Dylan Kalis.

“It was a large marina, in a beautiful location next to the Biesbosch National Park, with plenty of scope for improvement. The Kalis family were part of Boskalis dredging company based out of Sliedrecht, a town just to the north of Drimmelen, so we have local roots in the area from previous generations. In fact, my father remembers his uncle keeping a sailing boat in the old Drimmelen harbour!”

History of the marina

Built in the 1960s, Jachthaven Biesbosch is located on the River Amer close to Dordrecht and Rotterdam. Originally, the marina had a little over 400 berths in one main basin. However, a second basin was built in the 1990s resulting in the Jachthaven becoming the largest inland marina in Europe at the time with more than 1,000 berths. A third basin was added in 2005 taking the total size to 1,500 berths.

The marina lies adjacent to the vast expanse of the Biesbosch National Park; a unique sailing area and Europe’s largest freshwater wetlands covering over 35sq/miles of rivers, lakes and waterways, popular for boaters, family holidays and rare flora and fauna.

Marina improvements

Transformation works began immediately with the installation of a new on-water fuel station and visitor berthing quay within the first six months of the purchase in 2013, followed by a wave of shoreside investments. A children’s splash park and adventure playground followed, along with a new marina office with iconic red roof, new brokerage offices, washrooms, pontoons, Wi-Fi and a grocery store. But what came next was key…

“What we really needed was for local businesses to join us in the project and buy into our vision,” Dylan explains.

“We have been fortunate to find willing business owners and neighbours who saw the potential of the marina. They too invested and expanded their businesses and, subsequently, improved their offerings to customers to help build the marina as a year-round destination.”

Private investment came in a wide variety of forms; from the construction of new restaurants to a hotel, sailing school and supermarket. This was further complemented by a new Camper Park which opened in 2016 and subsequently extended in 2022 due to strong demand.

As popularity grew, so did the need to look at the entire site from a logistical standpoint. Roads were diverted and new roads built, car parks created, along with a vast new system of lighting and shoreside landscaping. Marina security improved with ANPR car parking and new fob access systems for berth holders.

Flexible seasonal contracts were introduced, a first for the Netherlands, allowing small boat owners to leave their boats on the pontoons for the summer season. Dutch boaters suddenly had the ability not to be tied to annual

contracts, or to pay daily visitor rates. There was now a new option. Despite all the major infrastructure and business investment, one of Dylan Kalis’ proudest installations was a feature that is both novel and completely free to use. A hand-operated chain ferry was launched in 2017 connecting the east and west basins, to provide easy access to the marina office and splash park playground on the central land tongue.

“The ferry took some creative thinking and ingenuity, but it has been a huge success!” explains Dylan.

The Jachthaven today

And it did not take long for the boaters and shoreside visitors to come. Marina visitors rose from a little over 1,000 in 2016 to almost 2,500 in 2022, with marina occupancy rising from 60 per cent to full capacity in 2022. Camper Park visitors grew from 600 in 2016, when the park first opened, to 2,600 in 2022.

What is next?

“The area has become a secondary village next to the old Drimmelen village and harbour,” Dylan concludes. “We can see the need to manage the use of resources as well as taking steps to protect nature in the local area will be crucial.”

The past 10 years have seen Jachthaven Biesbosch transformed into a thriving marina destination, with plenty of amenities and activities for visitors to enjoy. Yacht Havens’ investment and commitment to the marina have played a significant role in this transformation and the marina is well positioned for continued growth and success in the coming years.

When marinas are sold and purchased, the development of a marina by the new owners is often a slow process, with just as many changes behind the scenes to make the business operate e ciently as there are c sto er facin i ro e ents. ne arina in the etherlands has been undergoing this process since a change of ownership in 2013, but the speed and transformation has taken staff, b sinesses and the ind stry by stor .

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

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

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

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MF Solid Zinc 8x24 DIN766 £7.70 per mtr

MF Solid Zinc 10x28 DIN766 £11.15 per m

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MF Solid Zinc 12x36 ISO £15.30 per m

MF Solid Zinc 13x36 DIN766 £16.80 per m

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Titan HDG 6x18.5 DIN766 £3.45 per mtr

Titan HDG 7x22 DIN766 £4.56 per mtr

316 Stainless Voyager Anchor (DeltaType)

2kg £69.20 5kg £144.00 10kg £240.00 16kg £384.00 20kg £480.00

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316 Stainless Steel Chain

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With Paul Antrobus

BY PAUL ANTROBUS

In the drink

Go mad for Irish poitin

between £1.80 and £2 for a 500ml bottle at four per cent abv. Also on draught at pubs, mainly in the southern home counties.

Poitin (pronounced ‘poteen’) is great for some party craic the Irish way, but still suffers from a perception of being the product of illicit distilling that turns you blind, mad or perhaps worse. But it has a rich heritage and is fully legal now, subject to the same production standards as Irish whiskey.

The producers claim it is the original Irish spirit and has been knocking around since the sixth century, which would possibly make it the oldest spirit in the world.

First distilled by monks (what spirit wasn’t?), it was banned by the British in 1661, made legal in 1997 and awarded EU Geographical Statusmust be made in Ireland or Northern Ireland - in 2008. Folklore claims it was made from potatoes or other organic vegetables or plants that could be found in the fields during its ‘illicit’ years. These days it is made from barley, just like Irish whiskey.

The Mad March Hare distillery uses locally sourced malted barley, distils three times in small copper pot stills in the traditional way, then cuts back with Irish spring water to 40 per cent abv.

Tasting notes: malty nose, coconut and apple, vanilla, creamy texture, smooth. Drink it neat in a small shot glass, with a little water or ‘long’ with tonic.

You can also use it to make some amazing Irish cocktails to celebrate St Patrick's Day. Here is one typical recipe well worth trying:

1 part Mad March Hare poitin, 2 parts ginger beer, generous slice of fresh lime, 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Available in bottle shops in Ireland, but in the UK the easiest way is to buy it online, from about £33 at Master of Malt or The Whisky Exchange (plus delivery) to £40.58 from Amazon for a 70cl bottle. Half a dozen other brands will also

Hopping Hare

From the Badger brewery in Dorset, Hopping Hare is a light hoppy pale ale featuring aromatic citrus American Amerillo hops. A good session beer for the ‘working’ part of a fitting-out party, perhaps with Poitin as a chaser to get the party going. Available in mainstream supermarkets, priced

Boost for British Bubbly

We predicted last year that the general disruption of imports from the EU could create a beneficial opportunity for English wines in the UK. It seems this prediction came true, at least for Chapel Down in Tenterden, Kent, England’s biggest producer of both still and sparkling wine.

The company reports that sales of its traditional method sparkling wine (direct competitor to Champagne) grew 53 per cent in 2022 versus 2021 with strong Christmas sales. Even exports, mainly to Scandinavia, grew a spectacular 164 per cent.

Fresh and fruity, Chapel Down fizz is widely stocked in main supermarkets at between £20 and £30, depending on the vintage, for a 75cl bottle, 13 per cent abv. Another great patriotic way to add some sparkle to a launching or fittingout party.

Editor Jane Hyde 07940 240390 editor@allatsea.co.uk

Art Editor Mark Hyde design@allatsea.co.uk

Contributors

David Henshall

Paul Antrobus

Advertising and Distribution 07596 269681 advertising@allatsea.co.uk

Publisher Jane Hyde 07940 240390 / editor@allatsea.co.uk

Publishing Assistant Marianne Rickard

services

Recycled content of paper in UK newspapers is 78.9 per cent.

With St Patrick’s Day coming up on 17 March, celebrating with a glass of Mad March Hare Irish Poitin makes a lot of sense!

"The producers claim it is the original Irish spirit and has been knocking around since the sixth century"

TWO MAJOR SHOWS AT THE ULTIMATE WATERSIDE VENUE

BOOK

Combining the South Coast and Green Tech Boat Shows for the first time, to bring you global power and sail brands, new innovative eco-friendly products all at the same great venue.

OUR BIGGER AND BETTER SHOW INCLUDES:

• More than 70 new boats on display

• Over 60 exhibitors on the water and land

• Live talks and demonstrations

• Biggest exhibition of green marine technology

• A must-have ticket for serious buyers

21st-23rd

April 2023

Exhibitors include: