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Marine employment boost for East Cowes
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This week’s announcement from Red Funnel confirming the order of another high-speed catamaran,
Red Jet 7, to be constructed by East Cowes based Wight Shipyard, the builders of
Red Jet 6, is excellent news for the Isle of Wight. It is Cowes Harbour Commission's policy to support local marine employment and we are therefore extremely pleased that the
Red Jet 7 order will bring a significant £7m investment into the Island’s economy and secure a range of skilled marine industry jobs.
As reported in our news update below, further commissioning works on the new Cowes Chain Ferry have been carried out by the Isle of Wight Council with the aim of re-establishing a continual service throughout the tidal cycle whilst minimising the effect on the safety of navigation. Due to ongoing issues with the chain depths on ebb tides, the Council has announced that a foot passenger launch will operate during ebb tide periods over the Bank Holiday weekend. Please read our Chain Ferry article below for full information.
Following on from the success of the Royal Yacht Squadron's inaugural Marine Careers Fair in 2016, Cowes Harbour Commission will once again be an exhibitor at this year’s event, which is planned for Thursday, 28th September at the Castle in Cowes. Organised by the
Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation, there will be presentations, workshops and exhibitors from a broad range of marine careers providers, trainers and businesses. The RYS Foundation’s mission is to promote opportunities in the marine industry for young people aged 15 to 29 living on the Isle of Wight, and there are already a number of young Islanders who are now
achieving their ambitions thanks to the Foundation.
Captain Stuart McIntosh
- Cowes Harbour Master
Photo: Cowes-Poole-Cowes 2016 © Nigel Barrett
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Floating Bridge - Cowes Chain Ferry - news update
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The Isle of Wight Council (IWC), in consultation with their marine engineering consultants Burness Corlett Three Quays (BCTQ), have carried out further surveys and adjustments to the Floating Bridge ebb tide check chains over a 3-day period of the current large spring tides. These works and surveys were carried out in consultation and with the assistance of Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC). Regrettably, the surveys have confirmed that there is still a significant reduction in navigable depth over the chains in the centre of the river on the mid ebb situation when the Floating Bridge is being set to the north.
CHC has responsibility for maintaining navigational safety and an open port and therefore has already lodged a formal protest to the Isle of Wight Council in regard to the reduction in navigable depth and restriction of access to the Medina River caused by the new Floating Bridge. This protest was followed up today with a letter from CHC to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council requesting confirmation on the IWC’s proposals and timescales for restoration of the navigable depths over the chains that restrict access for commercial ships and leisure craft. CHC has asked for a formal response by 1st September, so that it can be considered by the Commissioners and used to inform harbour users and provide our stakeholders with an update at their Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee meeting.
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Harbour Advisory Committee meeting notice
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The next meeting of the Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee (CHAC) is on Friday, 1st September. All harbour users are welcome to submit their ideas or raise any issues of concern for discussion by the Advisory Committee.
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57 years of powerboat racing at Cowes
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This Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday, 26th and Sunday, 27th August will see the 57th year of offshore powerboat racing at Cowes.
Cowes is recognised as the birthplace of international powerboat racing. It is therefore fitting that every year some of the biggest, brightest, loudest and most powerful boats in the world assemble to re-enact the famous race from Cowes to Torquay then turn around and race back from Torquay to Cowes where the first race was hosted in 1961.
The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race covers a distance of 190 nautical miles. The course record speed was set in 2015 by Peter Dredge, Simon Powell, Mal Crease and David Gandy driving
Vector Martini Rosso at a staggering average speed of 94.55 mph.
Dawn in Cowes on Sunday, 27th August 2017 will break to the sound of roaring engines and activity on the water will be evident from approximately 08:45 when the 16 boat racing fleet will depart their berths in Cowes Yacht Haven to parade past Prince’s Green before mustering to the east of the Cowes Harbour entrance.
Photos: Cowes-Torquay-Cowes © Nigel Barrett & Chris Davies
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The Little Britain Challenge Cup (LBCC), the construction and property industry's number one sporting and social calendar event will bring hundreds of people to Shepards Wharf Marina in Cowes to sail, network and fund-raise on 15th and 16th September.
2017 marks Little Britain’s 30th anniversary, and the LBCC regatta is all set to celebrate with a new venue, great food and entertainment, and top sailing.
David Kong, LBCC Chairman and Marketing Director of Domus, said: “We’re all set to have a fabulous regatta and celebrate our 30th birthday with over 600 industry guests and over 50 boats racing. We are so pleased to have Shepards Wharf Marina, The Sugar Store bar, the Island Sailing Club and the chefs from Nomad on board. It’s going to be a great event.”
Little Britain’s mission is simple, to bring together people from the industry, go sailing and raise as much money as possible for worthy causes. Thanks to the industry's passion for sailing and the generosity of competing crews and supporting sponsors, LBCC has raised over £1.25 million for charities since the inaugural regatta 30 years ago. In 2017, LBCC will be fund-raising for the 1851 Trust, the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust, and the Cirdan Sailing Trust.
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Raising awareness on dangers of CO
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At approximately 1200 (UTC) on 12th November 2016, the owner of the 7.75m motor cruiser
Vasquez fell unconscious after being overcome by carbon monoxide (CO) that had been emitted from failed rubber bellows forming part of the inboard engine’s wet-exhaust system. Although rescuers came to the man’s aid, it was not possible to save his life. The MAIB’s report identified that the boat’s engine had not been regularly serviced and there was evidence that the exhaust system of the engine had been modified during the boat’s life.
This tragic accident has highlighted that there still remains a significant task to raise leisure boat owners’ awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Due to the odourless nature of carbon monoxide, the fitting of a detector/alarm remains the only effective warning that the poisonous gas may be present.
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New date for 2018 Round the Island Race
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Earlier this week, the Island Sailing Club announced a new date for the 2018 Round the Island Race
in association with Cloudy Bay. The Race will now take place on Saturday, 7th July 2018, with the 82nd edition of the race seeing the first start at 0630. The previous date for the Race was Saturday, 23rd June 2018. However, following the recent confirmation by the Isle of Wight Music Festival to stage their event over the same weekend, the Race organisers took the decision to move the date of the Race. The decision was made to ensure a smooth and enjoyable Round the Island Race for competitors, visitors, local businesses and residents alike.
Read the full story on the Round the Island Race website.
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Visitor and residential marina
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Premier dry sailing facilities
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Waterfront 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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