We were delighted to host our annual public meeting last week in person at the Island Sailing Club - thank you to everyone who attended. The event is an opportunity to present the activities and achievements of the past year, talk with harbour users and answer questions.
Our towns always look lovely in the summer, and the Jubilee has spurred everyone to make an extra effort with bunting, flags and window displays adding to the special atmosphere. Well done to Cowes and East Cowes Town Councils and all local traders for putting on such a good show, and for organising celebratory events for the bank holiday weekend.
June really starts the busy season in the harbour, and we're very much looking forward to a full sailing calendar, cruise ship calls and domestic and overseas visitors - not just business as usual, but better than usual.
To everyone enjoying the long weekend afloat, preparing for Round the Island Race, Cowes Classics Week or simply contemplating anchoring in Osborne Bay, we wish you a sunny and safe time on the water.
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Gary Hall
Chief Executive - Cowes Harbour Commission
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Harbour Master's Safety Briefing |
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There’s always a temptation on a sunny day to ‘have another one’, but just like drink driving, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs when in charge of a boat is not just socially unacceptable and potentially dangerous, it is also an offence.
Navigating a vessel whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be extremely dangerous, not just to yourself but also to other harbour users. It is also an offence under the Cowes Harbour General Directions for the master or owner of a vessel to knowingly cause or allow any person to navigate or attempt to navigate their vessel who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Unfortunately, over the last 3 years, Cowes Harbour Commission has prosecuted 2 people for contravening General Direction 3.6.1.
Alcohol and drugs can severely affect the perception of risk and ability. It affects balance, impairs judgement, and slows reactions, which can make even the most experienced mariner navigate a vessel unsafely. If you feel that you cannot safely navigate your vessel or shouldn’t navigate your vessel due to alcohol/drugs, then for your safety and the safety of other harbour users, get someone else to pilot.
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This weekend is set to be a cracker, and if the weather avoids the curse of the bank holiday, it will be one to remember whether you're ashore or afloat. |
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Both towns have plenty going on, including beacon lighting ceremonies on Thursday 2nd, when thousands of communities across the UK and Commonwealth will simultaneously light a beacon.
At noon on Saturday 4 June, all vessels are invited to salute the Queen with one long blast on the boat's whistle or horn (ear defenders at the ready!)
On Sunday 5 June there will be a Picnic in the Park at Jubilee Recreation Ground in East Cowes and at Northwood House in Cowes. Bring your own picnic (and maybe an umbrella) and enjoy music and family entertainment including a fun dog show in Cowes and a best-dressed king and queen competition in East Cowes.
2 JUNE
10am-1pm: Watch Trooping the Colour in East Cowes Town Hall
9.45pm: Beacon lighting ceremony, East Cowes Esplanade
From 9pm: Beacon lighting ceremony, Cowes Parade
4 JUNE
11.30am-3pm: Jubilee Market, East Cowes Esplanade
10am-1pm: Art, poetry and cake, Cowes Library
12 noon: Ship salute - all vessels sound a whistle or horn
5 JUNE
12-6pm: Picnic in the Park, Jubilee Recreation Ground, East Cowes
30 APRIL - 12 JUNE
28 MAY - 11 JUNE
Cowes Heritage & Community Group exhibition, the Beckford Centre, Cowes
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Annual Report & Public Meeting |
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Annual Report
The annual report covers the key activities for 2021, including financial results, harbour safety, harbour development, conservation and sustainability.
Gary Hall said: "Over the last twelve months, we have made changes that will give us the resilience and agility to meet future challenges, and, in turn, hand on the harbour to the next generation. While safety and financial viability remain our core commitments, key challenges include reducing our carbon footprint and safeguarding our environment."
2022-2027 Strategic Plan
To ensure the future of the harbour, the Commission commits to a five-year strategy, the most recent of which was published this month.
The document sets out key objectives in the areas of safety & security, environment & sustainability, port & harbour development, human resources management, financial management and marketing & business development.
Annual Public Meeting
The annual public meeting was held at the Island Sailing Club on 26 May - the first full in-person event for two years. Commission chair, Phil Hagen, welcomed attendees and introduced the speakers:
- Gary Hall reviewed 2021 including activities in health & safety, occupancy of harbour moorings and a the carbon management plan.
- David Riley, past chair, presented the 2021 financial results and gave a review of his 13 years on the Commission and six years as chair.
- Ed Walker presented on harbour safety, commercial traffic, maintenance and environmental projects.
- Gary Hall then presented a summary of the 2022-2027 strategic plan.
The presentation is available as a pdf on our website, and a transcript of the Q&A session will be available in the next week. |
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New Chair of the Advisory Committee
Mark Southwell
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Mark has a vision for a safe and vibrant harbour benefitting locals and visitors. He said: “I feel strongly the harbour should always be managed for the benefit of all - being a safe stretch of water for us locals and the thousands of visitors who come every year, with successful marine businesses flourishing on both sides of the river and the two towns being places people love to visit.”
The Advisory Committee is a key element of good governance for the harbour, creating a two-way point of contact between the Harbour Commission and harbour users and stakeholders.
The Committee is made up of representatives from stakeholder groups across the Medina, including the RNLI, Red Funnel, UKSA, Cowes and East Cowes Town Councils, marinas, sailing clubs, Cowes Week and other events, shipyards, and commercial vessel operators.
The Committee meets three times a year, usually in January, April and September. If you want to raise a question or have a comment on any of these topics, please contact Mark or a member of the Advisory Committee or send an email to chac@cowes.co.uk.
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Boat of the Month:
Whooper
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Our 'boat of the month' for June is Whooper - fresh from yet another racing success, this time with four firsts from four starts at the Cowes Spring Classics regatta.
As well as beautiful Laurent Giles lines and an instantly recognisable pale blue hull, Whooper was a cutting-edge design when launched on the Island in 1939 and remains a race winner over 80 years later.
Dates for next year's Cowes Spring Classics will be announced soon.
Photo credit: Chris Brown sailingphotos.co.uk
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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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