At the Harbour Office, we are busy carrying out our annual safety review, and in particular reviewing the Cowes General Directions, which are effectively the local harbour rules. If any updates are recommended, these will be presented to Commissioners at the February Board meeting and any agreed changes will then be put out to statutory consultation with the Advisory Committee, Chamber of Shipping and RYA. In this newsletter, we also have an interesting interview with Capt. Martin Phipps MBE, our Designated Person for safety at Cowes.
I would like to place both my own personal tribute and that of the Commissioners to John Dudley, who as mariners often refer, has gone aloft for the last time. The respect for “John the gentleman sailor” and his contribution to the harbour and Cowes yachting in general through his flag officers and Commodore roles at the Island Sailing Club, two terms as a Harbour Commissioner, and his time on the Board at Cowes Yacht Haven amongst his other life achievements were properly recognised and celebrated at his Holy Trinity Church service this month. It was a fitting testament to John that the Church was truly full to the gunwales with not even standing room left.
Meanwhile, last weekend, CHC was invited to attend the Royal London Yacht Club’s briefing to their Race Officers and I gave a presentation about what is going on in Cowes and the highlights and challenges of running a busy harbour such as ours.
Looking ahead to the summer and Cowes Week (8th-15th August), I am extremely pleased to announce that our Board of Commissioners has decided to reduce berthing rates at Shepards Marina for the 8-day regatta by up to 33% compared to 2019. This is on top of CHC having held Cowes Week marina berthing prices for three years in a row, following an earlier reduction in 2016. CHC is committed to supporting the Cowes Week event for the benefit of the harbour and town, and we hope this move will encourage even more sailors to compete in the regatta this year.
Capt. Stuart McIntosh
- Cowes Harbour Master
Top photo:
Luxury sailing yacht Asgard (42.82m) at Trinity Landing, Cowes.
