As I write, the temperature has dropped, the clocks have gone back, and winter is fast approaching, but this doesn’t mean the workload has reduced.
Whilst the harbour is quiet, this is a great time for us to carry out maintenance work in and around the harbour. The pontoons at Trinity Landing and Town Quay have already been overhauled and the Cowes Harbour Services team are currently carrying out inspections and repairs to the Folly Pontoons. We have also placed orders for new pontoons in a number of areas along the river as part of our ongoing replacement programme.
As an organisation, we are exploring what we can do to have a more positive impact on the environment and sustainability. We were therefore pleased to support TEDxCowes, an event held at the Island Sailing Club which was a combination of talks and online presentations to spur people to take more action on Ocean Sustainability. As Cowes is known as the ‘The Yachting Capital of the World’ the organisers felt it was the ideal location to inspire people, leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and companies, to find their own way to multiply exponentially their impact on Ocean Sustainability. Speakers at the event gave inspirational talks including examples of how they have successfully managed to have a positive impact on the environment in which they work or live.
Our impact on the environment and how we improve sustainability is a key goal for CHC in our next 5-year strategic plan. We are therefore involved in a number of projects, two of which you can read about later in this newsletter.
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Gary Hall
Chief Executive - Cowes Harbour Commission
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Harbour Master's
Safety Briefing
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The importance of a boating qualification |
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No matter if it’s an RYA Powerboat Level 2 or a Class 1 Master Unlimited certificate, a boating qualification is nothing but a benefit to you. Unlike when you want to drive a car on the road there is no mandatory requirement to obtain a boating qualification unless you intend to work commercially. However, the fact that it is not a requirement does not necessarily mean you should see it as a reason not to get one.
An RYA Powerboat Level 2 qualification will provide you with the knowledge and framework to ensure you can navigate your boat safely. It will also give you a basic understanding of how to look after the vessel correctly including basic maintenance. This knowledge will ensure that when you use your boat your sound in the mind that you’ll have a safe day’s boating. However, if for some reason you did break down you would have the skills and knowledge to deal with the situation.
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Once you have completed a basic boat handling course it gives you the underpinning knowledge to further you’re training should to wish to right up to acting as a commercial skipper of a yacht or motor boat. Further training consists of more complex navigational techniques, like night-time and long-distance passages, more advanced boat handling techniques for large boats plus additional maintenance and engineering knowledge. Each step is designed to build on your previous knowledge and training, so it becomes a progressive learning experience. |
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Most people will see cost as the biggest reason to not undertake training, however, luckily this perception seems to be changing. They used to say you cannot put a price on safety, however we all know you can. We would therefore suggest that you read the MAIB’s (Marine Accident and Investigation Branche) report on the ‘Norma G’ incident and then ask yourself if around £350 is worth the investment. The incident tragically resulted in a 17-year-old girl drowning with one of the conclusions being "had the owner of Norma G undertaken appropriate training, he would have been equipped with a better understanding of passage planning, the effects of tides and tidal streams, hull forms, sea-keeping ability, and boat control in waves. [2.6.]"
Cowes offers a wide variety of training establishments that can provide all levels of training on all types of vessels. Some of them will offer deals throughout the year or discounts for groups, so we would encourage you to give them a call.
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Seagrass Restoration
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Advanced Mooring Systems
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Together with partners throughout the Solent and South West of England, Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) has been assisting Natural England with a project to help reduce damage to existing seagrass meadows in the Solent. Seagrass meadows, like those at the mouth of the Medina estuary, provide nursery areas for fish and other creatures like seahorses and stalked jellyfish. They also help to stabilise the seabed, reduce the impact of waves on the harbour, help improve water quality and capture carbon from the atmosphere and bind it into sediment. This impressive habitat is now only present in half of the UK, where it was once recorded, as it has been affected by a wasting disease, pollution and physical disturbance. CHC has offered some locations for the installation of advanced mooring systems which help to reduce the impact of older style moorings and anchors on the seagrass. CHC is also looking at options to improve mooring systems in intertidal areas of seagrass in the harbour to help protect the integrity and health of our existing meadows.
CHC are working with the ‘ReMEDIES’ project which raises awareness and understanding of seagrass meadows and is developing restoration techniques in the Solent and south west. It is working with other Solent seagrass projects being carried out by World Wildlife Fund, Swansea University, Project Seagrass, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. This year has already seen extensive surveying to map and assess the health of seagrass around the Isle of Wight. The seagrass meadows found to be in good condition have provided over half a million seeds for the restoration of other meadows in the Solent that are struggling. The collected seeds are being stored and cared for at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth before being returned to the Solent’s seabed over winter. Some small-scale trials are already underway to ensure the best planting methods and results.
CHC will continue to work with the project to help support the conservation and restoration of one of our most amazing and fascinating coastal ecosystems.
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This month we focus on two companies based at our Kingston site; Nucleus Precision Consultants and |
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Nucleus Precision
Consultants
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Tapping into the hidden elite
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They work with great companies to tap into the ‘hidden elite’ of outstanding Legal & Accountancy practices whilst assisting in accelerating the careers of top performing people by introducing them to the best opportunities in the market that no one hears about.
Based in East Cowes, the company employs a team of 8 successful recruiters and have solid plans and ambitions to double the size of their business during 2022.
Tel: 01983 821 811 (24 HRS)
Applications@nucleus-pc.co.uk
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Specialist automotive call centre that takes care of your customers |
OTT Automotive is a specialist call centre that works with dealers within the motor trade to increase their after-sales revenues. By offering a second to none-service to UK dealers, each dealer, large or small, can utilise our service for maximum penetration into their existing or lapsed customers.
We use a structured and pro-active form of telemarketing which involves highly skilled and professional telesales executives contacting your customers on your behalf.
Since starting the business in 2004, we now work across the UK with a large number of dealers who are delighted with the additional revenue that we have created for them as well as saving them valuable time and resource cost.
At OTT we realise that when a customer walks into or phones you, they are looking for that extra mile. This is exactly what we are able to deliver to your customer and indeed to each client we work with.
If you would like us to make a difference to your revenue and show you how we can cover costs and improve your business, then please contact us:
Tel: 0800 1244377
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From kitchen to marina, it’s never too late to start over. |
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Neil has been with the Shephards Marina team for 4 years. After working 13-hour days for 25 years as a chef he decided it was time for a change, and to spend more time with his growing family. He was determined to take his career in an entirely new direction!
Neil started as a seasonal Port Operative, getting to know Cowes Harbour and the variety of different yachts and vessels that use the harbour. Shortly afterwards, he started his training on the crane with the dry sailing team and gaining a thorough understanding of how the marina operates. It wasn’t long before Neil was given the chance to head up the team, which he has now been doing for 3 seasons.
What Neil absolutely loves about his job is that no 2 days are ever the same, and the unique variety of challenges that come as part of working in a marina. After working in a kitchen for so long, he also loves the fact that his job is predominately located outside in the fresh air and sunshine.
During the summer months, Neil can be found on the pontoons assisting customers with their enquiries and directing yachts where to berth. During busy events such as Cowes Week, this is something that certainly becomes quite challenging, but Neil takes it all in his stride. During the winter season, Neil undertakes any maintenance that needs to be completed within the marina and can still be found on the pontoons to assist visiting yachts or winter berth holders.
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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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