As the sun starts to warm up and blue skies outnumber the rain, more and more of us are venturing onto the water. As a recent meeting with Cowes RNLI reminded us, it is easy to feel lulled by the improving weather and perhaps to skip the vital pre-season checks.
Over the last five years, a worrying 24.4% of the Cowes RNLI lifeboat launches were logged to mechanical or equipment failure. We can't comment on the detail behind this statistic, but it is a reminder that planning and prevention are critical to a relaxing day afloat. So, use pre-season checks to learn more about your boat and share knowledge with your crew.
A bit of pre-season practical refresher training is never a bad idea, whether you choose to get an RYA qualification, hire an instructor for the day or practice with your crew. We all have something new to learn: man overboard, emergency drills, reefing, marina manoeuvring. As they say, 'Every day's a school day!'
When was the last time you checked your lifejackets? We're hosting a free RNLI Lifejacket Clinic at Shepards Marina on Good Friday, March 15. Everyone is welcome.
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Gary Hall
Chief Executive - Cowes Harbour Commission
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Harbour Master's Safety Briefing
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Navigating Narrow Channels
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As the busy summer season approaches, all mariners are reminded of their obligations under Rule 9 – Narrow Channels - of the International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Regulations (IRPCS).
Under the Cowes Harbour Commission General Directions, the Outer Fairway is designated as a narrow channel, therefore Rule 9 of the IRPCS Regulation applies to all vessels navigating within it.
Rule 9 states that: “A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway”.
Commercial ships and ferries have limited navigable water when entering or leaving the Harbour, so other vessels should have due consideration when navigating in the same area.
All vessels should keep a listening watch on VHF Ch69 for any movement broadcasts and maintain situational awareness at all times - this includes making sure to look behind you! If you hear 5 short blasts, it means your intentions are not understood and you should make them known whether by alteration of course and / or speed. Read more...
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Be Prepared:
Pre-Season Boat Checks
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A worrying 24.4% of Cowes RNLI lifeboat launches are due to mechanical or equipment failure. It makes sense to carefully check your boat and systems ahead of the season - don't become a statistic.
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The scope of your pre-season check will depend on the type of boat, complexity of systems and manufacturers' instructions, but these are our suggestions:
1. Take a Good Look
Crawl over the boat from stem to stern and take a good look at everything. Look for fluid, rust, debris, mould and cracks. Investigate any drips, rogue nuts, jubilee clips or broken split pins.
2. Engine
Inboard, outboard, sterndrive, shaft, water-cooled, air-cooled, petrol, diesel, electric or fuel cell - your engine will need specific checks and regular servicing.
Take a look at the wiring, fluid levels, belt, filters, engine mounts, batteries and sea cocks.
3. Sails and Rigging
It's scary how quickly a problem with sails or rig can get out of control. Sails can split, lines part, blocks explode and the rig end up around your ears.
Look for wear and damage to rigging wire, spars, sails, halyards, sheets and blocks.
4. Safety Equipment
Safety equipment is anything that keeps your boat and crew safe, so alongside checking the dates on your flares, investigate anchor systems, navigation kit and means of attracting attention.
Boating should be all about having fun, and the best way of keeping everything enjoyable is to stop things going wrong. There's more practical tips and suggestions in the full article - read more...
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RNLI Lifejacket Clinic
15 April at Shepards Marina
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Cowes RNLI community safety volunteers will be on hand at Shepards Marina on Good Friday to check your lifejackets and provide safety advice.
The RNLI team are on hand to talk through the options for lifejackets, to help you check for wear and tear and show you how to do simple lifejacket maintenance. They can also arrange an Advice Onboard visit to your boat to provide practical safety suggestions.
The service is completely free and everyone is most welcome - just pop into Shepards Marina between 10am and 4pm and you'll see the RNLI gazebo.
(Image credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams)
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Meet the Team
Rachel Hibberd
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Rachel Hibberd is the newest member of the Harbour Commission team, joining us in March as PR & Marketing Manager.
A life-long sailor with a love of everything boaty, Rachel has been involved in the marine industry for over twenty years, including as Assistant Manager at East Cowes Marina.
"As a Cowes resident who gets afloat every weekend, working for the Harbour Commission is pretty much my dream job", she said.
If you've got stories you want to tell or to hear about the Harbour, please drop Rachel and email marketing.chc@cowes.co.uk
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Boat of the Month:
WillChallenge towing WilCarry 1717
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You probably saw the big crane at Wight Shipyard, constructing the new lift dock. The crane was mounted on Williams Shipping's 50m barge WilCarry 1717, and was towed out of the harbour on 15 March by 22m WillChallenge tug.
WillChallenge has been busy in Cowes - she also towed FB6 to Falmouth for refit.
If you like boat pictures, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
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If you have any questions about Cowes Harbour, Shepards Marina or Kingston Boatyard, please pop-in, give the team a call or send us an email.
Stay safe and have fun afloat,
Gary and the Cowes Harbour Commission team
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About Cowes Harbour Commission
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Cowes Harbour Commission is the statutory harbour authority for Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The Commission receives no funding from central or local government and re-invests surpluses for the overall benefit of harbour users and stakeholders.
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- Boatyard
- Secure self-storage
- 30 tonne boat hoist
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- 130 berths
- Dry sailing centre
- Visitors welcome
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- Pontoons & buoys
- River & harbour
- Visitors welcome
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Harbour Office: 01983 293 952
Shepards Marina: 01983 297 821
Kingston Boatyard: 01983 299 385
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