Stakeholder projects & community engagement
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Earlier this month, Commissioner Ra Hennessy and John Corby, Advisory Committee Chairman, joined me for a tour of the Isle of Wight Studio School with Headteacher Richard White. The Studio School is a new concept in education, aiming to bring the learning of key employability skills and knowledge closer to those that young people need to thrive in the world today. Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) is delighted to be helping the School’s students get out on the water this season through the provision of a stakeholder subsided mooring for their Mini Tonner class yacht, as reported in our story “Studio School sets sail”.
Cowes Harbour is a Trust Port and run for the benefit of the port’s stakeholders, who are all those with an interest in the harbour, whether they live or work here or come as visitors. In accordance with government guidance, the Commission is encouraged to use some of the surplus funds on stakeholder dividend projects that do not provide the normal commercial return but improve the harbour, its services and facilities to the overall benefit of its stakeholders. CHC always consults the Harbour Advisory Committee (CHAC) before committing to any stakeholder benefit investment and indeed we would welcome any suggestions or proposals you may have, which ideally should be channelled through the Advisory Committee. If you would like to contribute ideas for future stakeholder benefit projects, do please
send a message to the CHAC
.
Capt. Stuart McIntosh
- Cowes Harbour Master
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Cowes Harbour stakeholder benefit projects
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CHC invests in a number of stakeholder dividend projects, which we report in more detail through the Annual Report and on our website, but the following explains some of the current CHC stakeholder dividend projects. CHC’s contributions to the Destination Cowes partnership are provided as a stakeholder benefit; an example of this is shown in our story: “New Classic Regatta at Cowes”. Additionally, the Commissioners, supported by Advisory Committee Chairman John Corby, have just agreed to provide the Isle of Wight Studio School with a subsidised mooring for their Mini Tonner.
Examples of stakeholder benefits that are funded annually include, the harbour water taxi subsidy, and working with the Wessex Cancer Trust Charity to offer patients free parking at the Harbour Office when travelling to Southampton for treatment.
The Commission also continues to work as a funding member of the Isle of Wight Estuaries Project, which is a partnership between CHC, the Environment Agency, Isle of Wight Council, Natural England, and Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners. The partnership promotes and supports sustainable management of estuaries on the Island.
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New Classic regatta at Cowes
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The inaugural Cowes Spring Classics, a regatta for wooden classic yachts designed before 1970, is to take place from 11th-13th May 2018 at Shepards Wharf Marina. This new regatta is being supported by Destination Cowes.
It is hoped the Cowes Spring Classics regatta will be a great season-opener and a welcome addition to existing classic regattas held on the Solent.
Painting by Hugh Fairfax
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Marine apprenticeship opportunity
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CHC is offering an exciting ‘Marine Operative’ apprenticeship, providing a great opportunity for the right candidate to gain extensive knowledge and a valuable qualification in a challenging and rewarding industry.
This apprenticeship will cover all aspects of the commercial and statutory operations that are associated with a busy harbour. The successful candidate will acquire experience in a variety of tasks associated with marina and boatyard operations, major event organisation and commercial operations including many aspects of maintenance on moorings, quays, and vessels.
CHC’s first apprentice Port Operative, Sam Saunders, will soon be finishing his apprenticeship at Shepards Wharf Marina, and you can find out more about his experiences in our story “Success for apprentice Sam at Shepards”.
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Success for apprentice Sam at Shepards
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Twenty-two-year-old Sam Saunders was selected in November 2016 as the first Apprentice Port Operative at Shepards Wharf Marina. He said: “After trying a few different jobs, I was fortunate enough to be offered an apprenticeship at Shepards in Cowes. This was an exciting job prospect for me as I was new to the industry."
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CHC recently received an application from the Isle of Wight Studio School requesting stakeholder support for the School’s Mini Tonner yacht. The Commissioners agreed at their January Board meeting that the application matched a number of stakeholder dividend objectives; namely to promote increased involvement by schools and the local youth community in the harbour and sailing, and also to promote awareness of marine apprenticeships and training facilities.
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New Designated Person appointed
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In accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code, Cowes Harbour has a “Designated Person” to provide independent assurance on the operation and effectiveness of CHC’s Marine Safety Management System and to ensure compliance with the Code. The Designated Person (DP) is duty bound to carry out regular audits of the Safety Management System and report their independent findings directly to the Board of Commissioners, the Duty Holders, who have overall responsibility for safety in Cowes Harbour.
Cowes Harbour Commission’s DP, Capt. Peter Jackson (RN), has just retired from his position after 10 years in the role. Following a public advertisement and interview process, CHC has appointed Capt. Martin Phipps MBE as Peter’s replacement.
Photo L-R: David Riley CHC Chairman, Capt. Peter Jackson (RN) Designated Person, Capt. Stuart McIntosh Harbour Master
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Island Stowaway
: Island Stowaway is a successful family run business catering to the needs of boat owners, businesses, and households requiring that extra storage space. Owners Glenn and Rachael Hobson have provided a flexible, bespoke and friendly service over the years but are now retiring from the business. Cowes Harbour Commission has purchased Island Stowaway’s storage facilities and is pleased to be taking on the running of the business as from 1st March 2018. Based at CHC’s Kingston Wharf site in East Cowes, the business will be known as “
Cowes Harbour Storage”. CHC is committed to providing excellent customer service and will continue to offer long and short-term self-storage facilities, accessible seven days a week.
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There are two seasonal job vacancies open with Cowes Harbour Commission, for a Marina Operative and a Patrol Officer. Applications close on 16th March.
Seasonal Marina Operative: Shepards Wharf Marina is looking for someone with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude, who can assist in all aspects of marina operations throughout the summer season.
Seasonal Patrol Officer: CHC is looking for someone to assist in the efficient and safe management of the Harbour Authority’s mooring facilities and area of jurisdiction.
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Visitor and residential marina
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Premier dry sailing facilities
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Waterfront events venue at Shepards Wharf
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Annual, visitor and event moorings
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Harbour maintenance and commercial marine operations
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Deep draught fuel pontoon on the River Medina
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Extensive yard facilities with 40t boat hoist, 30t boat mover and commercial premises to lease
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Tariffs and special offers for CHC marine services
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