Happy New Year to you all. Hopefully you had a good Christmas and New Year and like us, you are now planning for the year ahead in what we all hope will be impacted much less by Covid.
Talking of the year ahead, many event organisers have already been in contact with us so it’s good to hear that alongside the many events we see in Cowes each year, there are some new ones to look forward to in 2022.
Between 18 – 21 August, there will be an event to mark the 50th Anniversary of the death of Uffa Fox. Sailing will be at the heart of the event but there will also be static displays for historical boats, talks and other Uffa related discussions. This event will overlap with the Flying Fifteen European Championships between 20 – 26 August. The event will be hosted by the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club and will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Flying Fifteen design. The organisers are expecting much interest from European boats as well as those based in the UK and even further afield overseas, making this and the Uffa Fox celebration, two must see events in 2022.
These are of course only two events in a packed calendar for Cowes in 2022, so our team at Shepards have already opened marina berth bookings for the Round the Island Race and the Isle of Wight Festival, and from mid-January you will also be able to book for Cowes Week and Cowes Classic Week.
Finally, for those of you that have received renewal paperwork from us for your annual mooring, please ensure that you return your paperwork to us as soon as possible as we have a number of boat owners on our waiting list that are eager to take your place.
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Gary Hall
Chief Executive - Cowes Harbour Commission
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A very happy New Year to you all! |
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Harbour Master's
New Year Message
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Firstly, Happy New Year to all of you, I hope you had a pleasant few weeks. Fortunately, we are heading into 2022 under somewhat better circumstances than 2021 which will hopefully allow us to continue building on the successful return of boating to Cowes.
2021 saw a dramatic drop in incidents from 2020 however there was still a fairly high frequency of Close Quarter Situations between vessels. I would therefore urge everyone who takes to the water this year to continue to be vigilant in their look outs and ensure they navigate safely, especially within the confines of the Harbour.
Ed Walker
Harbour Master
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Investing in the Health
of our Harbour
Pump out birth
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Cowes Harbour Commission is happy to inform you that our pump out berth is now fully operational. CHC offers free holding tank pump out facilities all year round, as part of our long-term commitment to sustainability, and to support The Green Blue’s ‘Love Where You Sail’ promotion, launched last year with the Environment Agency.
CHC offers free holding tank pump out facilities all year round as part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and to support The Green Blue’s 'Love Where You Sail' promotion, launched last year with the Environment Agency.
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Blackwater discharge from boats is not a significant issue if the heads or holding tanks are emptied at least three miles offshore, but in high concentrations or in confined areas such as the River Medina and the Solent, it can lead to problems with water quality, including high levels of faecal coliforms that can cause gastroenteritis.
A simple stop while passing through our harbour to the pump out berth, means you are doing your part in sailing the environmentally friendly way.
From the squawking seagulls that grace our ears every morning to the tiniest of shrimp that survive on the water purity for sustenance. Everything is connected and effected in our ecosystem, investing in the health of our harbour and our thoughtful visitors’ actions, will help maintain the natural beauty of our coast.
The pump out berth is located on the south pontoon at Shepards Marina in Cowes. You can call the marina on VHF channel 80 if you need any assistance and the Berthing Master will be happy to help you.
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A little Piece of History..
Kingston Boatyard
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Kingston Wharf over Time.. |
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With many a tale to tell of the Island and the harbour, this month we focus on one of CHC’s current locations, our Kingston Site in East Cowes and its evolution over the last 120 years. Purchased in 2012 but rented since 2001 by CHC, it is one of the last two large commercial ship docks on the island. A purchase that ensured Kingston’s history would not be forfeited to the mists of time through development. Although modernised, Kingston wharf still retains its nautical purpose and rightful place on the river medina.
When researching the history of Kingston, I came to realise quickly that many who still work on and around the harbour are better a source than any internet search machine could be. With family history and a passion for the preservation of the Islands heritage, It was brought to my attention many interesting facts, by none other than one of CHC’s Patrol Officers, who inundated me with an abundance of historical angles to approach this location with.
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The Isle of Wight, like the rest of the UK, has had buildings rise and fall throughout history. Every location has a story and a past. With its prehistoric beginnings sedimented in chalk the island has changed image, purpose, and use. It has endured growing pains of invasions and battles from all corners. That is, until it captured the eye of one monarch who unlike a Saxon predecessor, King Alwald who took the island by sword, took it to her heart instead. This is where we shall start our timeline – Queen Victoria’s Death.
Kingston Wharf, as well as all the sites lining the River Medina, might have ebbed, and flowed in its usage over the years, but during Queen Victoria’s reign it has triumphed. Queen Victoria owned the majority of East Cowes as her Osbourne estate before passing away on 22 January 1901, leaving her inheritance to Edward V11, her eldest son. However, unlike his mother, who had an unrequited love and passion for the island, Edward, did not share this connection. Perhaps, this is why gossip described him less warmly, from cold-blooded to heartless, although historical records reject this portrayal.
Edward not only donated a large portion of the estate to the nation but utilised his mother’s Osbourne estate for educational purposes. Between 1903 – 1921 the Kingston site was The Royal Naval College Osbourne Engineering Works. This was the Selbourne Fisher Scheme by John Fisher, whose vision was to combine military engineering branches of the Royal Navy. Outside the gates of Kingston, there is an unmade wide footpath that runs towards the Osborne estate called Cadets Walk, a testimony to its military power and the islands foresight.
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With the turn of a new century came modernisation and the demand for electricity became apparent. In 1892 St Catherine’s lighthouse was the only and first place to guide sailors in by this new futuristic invention, replacing the tradition of oil Lamps. Like everything new, it was trialled in a number of areas on the island but was often met with disappointment. A generation station was built in Ventnor in 1899 powered by three coal fired steam engines which gave the very few surrounding homes light by a simple flick, and just as quick, other towns on the island followed suit. Soon the demand of energy needed for domestic electricity necessitated that a central power station big enough to supply the whole island was imperative. In 1928 the Kingston power station was finally built, and with its easy access to coal delivery from the dockyard, it remained that way for many years. Eventually, by 1949, a cross-Solent connection was laid and normal power generation on the island ceased. In 1982 the Power Station was re-built and is now owned and operated by RWE Generation UK Ltd.
Kingston Wharf continued to be part of the power station facilities until 2001, at which time it was rented to CHC and converted into a boat storage and engineering yard.
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Today Kingston Boatyard is a thriving hub of activity for sailors to spend time on their dearest loved ones - their boats..
Based on a 10-acre site at Kingston Boatyard offers a variety of services to boat owners. Store your boat and work on it over the winter until warmer weather welcomes you back, or arrange services provided by our Cowes Harbour Services team.
Since occupying Kingston Wharf CHC has added its part to the history of the site. Local business unit rentals and boat storage are placed in front of the power station, and the buildings in modern use have a feeling of historical graceful ageing that lingers around you.
Kingston wharf and the river Medina might have been in service over the centuries to some of the greatest Monarchs, but in my view, it is the people that have made it what it is today.
Laurianne Jackson
PR & Marketing
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Kingston Boatyard
This month we focus on one of Cowes Harbour Commissions own locations
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Kingston Wharf is a 10 acre site in East Cowes and is managed by Cowes Harbour Services and offers a range of boatyard services and boat storage facilities, as well as the Cowes Harbour Storage self-storage facility, and a chandlery. |
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Workshop Availability & Onsite Businesses |
Kingston is home to a variety of onsite businesses, many offering a wide variety of trades, including boat building and repairs, marine electronics and engineering, RIB building and repair, as well as yacht equipment storage and much more.
The Commercial Marine Services team based at Kingston are a familiar sight up and down the river and have both their working vessels based at there. Their storage and workshop facilities for engineering, welding and painting. The Commercial Marine Services team are often the first choice for many local marine contracts.
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Cowes Harbour Services has a multi-disciplinary team working largely afloat on marine and coastal projects on the River Medina and around the Solent. Our Commercial Marine Services team is the first choice for many local marine contracts and our portfolio is as diverse as the clients that we serve in Cowes Harbour and further afield.
Our team specialises in the design, supply and positioning of complete mooring systems, as well as navigation and race mark buoy management. We also take care of pontoon maintenance, local towage, stores logistics, escort duties and transportation, and berth repair.
Properties at Kingston Wharf include the waterfront storage land and the Gatehouse Building.
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On Site Chandlery
Visit our website today for further information
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Advertise with us and reach
your target audience
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If you are a company offering products and services to the sailing community, water users or even tourists to Cowes, you will want to get your business message in front of the right people. CHC can help you with this. We have a range of outside advertising spaces at Trinity landing, Shepards Marina, Town Quay and even the new Breakwater.
Prices vary depending on location but every package includes the cost of the banner. We can even create the artwork for you to show your business off in its best light.
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Further information from CHC |
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Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) is constituted under the Cowes Harbour Act and Orders 1897-2012. It is the Statutory Harbour Authority for Cowes Harbour on the Isle of Wight. CHC receives no funding from either central or local government and re-invests surpluses into the organisation for the overall benefit of harbour users and stakeholders.
CHC’s vision is to fulfill the potential of Cowes Harbour and the River Medina in delivering first-class port facilities and leisure services and by acting as the main transport and shipping gateway supporting the Island’s economy and employment.
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Cowes Local Notices to Mariners
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Local information for harbour users
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Harbour Services from CHC |
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Based on a 10-acre site at Kingston Wharf in East Cowes, is the Cowes Harbour Services Boatyard, with a range of boatyard services and boat storage facilities, as well as the Cowes Harbour Storage self-storage facility, and a chandlery. |
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Shepards Marina is one of Cowes Harbour’s main marina facilities offering a full range of services and amenities suitable for yacht racing events, rallies, and catering also to the cruising sailor and powerboater. |
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Cowes Harbour Commission owns and licences the majority of the pontoons, swinging moorings, and pile berths within Cowes Harbour and the River Medina, as far south as the Folly Inn. |
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