Latest news from Cowes Harbour 3rd March 2021
Information for harbour users on easing of lockdown
Welcome to all our readers
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our readers in this, the beginning of my second month with Cowes Harbour Commission. During the past four weeks I have been busy meeting the team, getting to know the four CHC sites and what the Harbour Commission is responsible for, and meeting each of the Commissioners individually. My time now, as much as possible, is being spent in meeting stakeholders and this will continue for a good while going forward.

Stuart McIntosh officially retired from CHC last Friday and is hopefully enjoying some well-earned freedom, whilst I have now taken on the post of Chief Executive and will be working closely with Harbour Master Ed Walker and the rest of the team.

The Prime Minister has set out details of when further Covid-19 restrictions are likely to be eased across England, and it is hoped that we can look forward to a promising season ahead when we can go yachting again and get out and enjoy ourselves on this wonderful Island that I now call my home.

I believe CHC must continue to be forward-looking and over time I will be focusing on developing thoughts and plans for the Harbour Commission’s long-term future. I hope you find the rest of this newsletter interesting, and I wish you all a safe month.

Gary Hall
Chief Executive
Chief Executive Gary Hall - Cowes Harbour Commission
Cowes Harbour news on roadmap out of lockdown
From 8th March, the UK Government will start to lift restrictions in England with a four-step roadmap that offers a route back to a more normal life. Cowes Harbour Commission welcomes the confirmation that outdoor sport and recreation will be the first activity after education to be released from lockdown.

CHC’s policies and dates for the safe reopening of our marine services and facilities are detailed in the link below and follow the Government’s spring 2021 roadmap out of lockdown as well as guidelines issued by the RYA and British Marine. All CHC reopening plans are subject to Government guidance and our site rules.
HM1 patrol vessel in the harbour
Dredger at work in Cowes Harbour
Spring dredging works
We have decided to carry out a routine maintenance dredge of Shepards Marina ahead of the season, which for operational reasons is coinciding with various other dredging works in the harbour, including a maintenance dredge at UKSA, and dredging to prepare for Wight Shipyard’s construction of a larger capacity hoist dock.
Cowes Harbour Plan
Update on Cowes Notices to Mariners

We would just like to highlight that CHC has revised four existing Notices and issued a number of new Notices with the latest safety and navigation information for Cowes Harbour.

You can see a list of the new Notices further down in this newsletter, and all current Cowes Local Notices to Mariners can be viewed on our website.
Capt. Stuart McIntosh
H20 Podcast - Farewell to Stuart McIntosh

BBC Radio Solent has published an H20 Podcast on a conversation with Capt. Stuart McIntosh, who has retired from CHC after 20 years as Harbour Master and CEO. In the podcast, Stuart talks about his lifelong love of the water, serving on Donald Trump’s superyacht and the role of the Harbour Master in Cowes. Produced and presented by Neil Sackley, the podcast is available on BBC Sounds.
Harbour Commissioner recruitment news update
We would like to thank all those candidates who responded to our recent advertising campaign for a new Harbour Commissioner. Following shortlisting, interviews are planned for mid-March, which will be held by a selection panel comprising our Chairman David Riley, a stakeholder representative and an independent member, thereby ensuring that the balance of the selection panel is independent of the Commission. Once the interview process is complete, the selection panel will make their recommendations to the March meeting of the Board of Commissioners, for the current Board to determine the appointments to be made.
Current Notices to Mariners
Cowes Harbour - Isle of Wight
Multi-Cat vessel Seaclear
Shepards Marina in Cowes
Cowes Harbour Office
Cowes Harbour Commission | Website