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Cowes breakthrough
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First and foremost, I would like to extend my thanks for the overwhelming positive support received towards the new Cowes breakwater. In order to secure vital funding from the HCA (Homes & Communities Agency) we need to demonstrate local approval for the project, and with the help of supporting media coverage we are now focused on presenting a strong case to the HCA.
The behind-the-scenes work for major events in Cowes goes on much longer than many people are aware. While we have been basking in welcome September sunshine, CHC's Kingston Marine Services have been finishing the clear-up of temporary marks and moorings that were laid for Cowes Week and are now looking ahead to what preparations need to be made for winter.
We wish the CHC trio of Rod Hodgson, Anne Dines and Dave Lewis the very best of luck with their endeavours in next week's Wightlink Wight Challenge - which I hope you might like to support via the links in the story below.
Finally, as we draw to the end of what has been a truly memorable season of events here in Cowes, let's also reflect on Britain's golden summer of sport and congratulate all our Olympians and Paralympians who have done us so proud.
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Best Regards,
Captain Stuart McIntosh,
Cowes Harbour Master
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Destination Cowes
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Each season Cowes attracts a number of visits from cruise ships which anchor off Cowes and land their passengers at Trinity Landing to spend the day visiting the town and touring the Island.
MS Hanseatic, due in Cowes 20 Sept.
Trinity Landing itself was delivered back in 2006, its unique location ensuring uninterrupted views across the Solent and providing easy, walk ashore access to The Parade in the heart of Cowes.
One of the benefits to come from the new Cowes Breakwater will be improved shelter for Trinity Landing, making it easier for visitors to come ashore which in turn will help Cowes become a "destination of choice" for small visiting cruise ships.
So far this year, Cowes has been visited by the Europa on 15 June and 16 July, and Le Diamante on 12 and 26 August. We now look forward to welcoming the Hanseatic, en route from Hamburg to Malaga, and due to visit Cowes on 20 September where she will moor in Cowes Roads between 0900-1900 with passengers alighting at Trinity Landing.
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Cowes news for all
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If you have friends or family who live or work in Cowes, come on holiday to Cowes, sail from Cowes or have an interest in the town's activities on and off the water, then please share this newsletter with them. They can register to receive CHC news here. |
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Please keep in touch!
| Don't forget that Cowes Harbour Commission is always happy to gain feedback on its services and on the issues it is tackling on your behalf. If you want to talk to the Harbour Master, Capt. Stuart McIntosh or to Rod Hodgson, the Deputy Harbour Master, please feel free to call into the Harbour Office on Town Quay, or phone and make an appointment on:
01983 293952, or
Cowes Harbour Commission also owns and operates the following commercial services: Shepards Wharf Marina, Kingston Marine Services, Cowes Harbour Moorings and Cowes Harbour Fuels.
You can keep up-to-date with all the news on our website:
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CHC Local Notices to Mariners (LNTMs)
| Sailors and boaters using Cowes Harbour are advised to regularly check current Notices to Mariners.
Links to recent LNTMs:
No. 35(T) of 2012: No. 1 Fairway Buoy
No. 30 of 2012: Diving at Work and Commercial Swimmers
No. 23 of 2012: Cowes Harbour Fairway
No. 20 of 2012: Approaches to Cowes Harbour
All current Notices are available on the CHC website. |
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Above: RS Elites racing in the recent UK Nationals held in Cowes sail past lightship LV22 moored on the Trinity House mooring buoy before being towed out into the Channel.
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Celebrations at Cowes Week reception
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The annual Cowes Harbour Commission Cowes Week reception was held on a lovely warm summer's evening in the Ballroom at Northwood House.
On display at the reception were over 50 lovely paintings produced by local children for the recent CHC Cowes Schools Art Competition.
L-R: CHC Chairman Roger Mathias; Jack Oliver, 2nd prize - Gurnard Primary; Ellie Raven, 1st prize and Holly Brimble, 3rd prize, and Mrs Annett Baker - all from Lanesend Primary.
Cowes Harbour Commission Chairman Roger Mathias introduced the three winners and accompanied by their parents the children were presented with their prizes by local marine artist Tony Westmore.
Following the prize giving, Roger presented an overview of how CHC has taken on a new lead role in the delivery of the Cowes Breakwater Project, outlining its importance in the continued development of Cowes to attract visitors and events to the Island.
"Cowes Harbour is at the very core of Cowes," said Roger," and Cowes's prosperity is tightly linked to the harbour. We at CHC are passionate that the harbour must continually evolve to meet growing expectations of users, local marine industries and the broader community.
He continued: "We are now moving into a position to be able to deliver - with joint funding from CHC reserves and grant funding from the Government agency HCA (Homes & Communities Agency). The urgency now is to secure the release of the HCA grant funding.
"If we miss the HCA funding the opportunity will be lost for the foreseeable future. We can do this - the time is now!" ended Roger.
The reception was well attended by around 150 guests representing local government, yacht clubs and local businesses, providing an opportune moment for all to network in an informal setting. In particular, CHC was delighted with the valuable, positive feedback received supportive of the Cowes Outer Harbour breakwater.
Read the full story on COWES.co.uk.
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CHC do the Wightlink Wight Challenge
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Three adventurous Cowes Harbour Commission staff, Deputy Harbour Master Rod Hodgson, Accounts Administrator Anne Dines, and Berthing Master Dave Lewis will be representing CHC when they take part in the Wightlink Wight Challenge on the Isle of Wight on 22 September, raising money for Wessex Heartbeat.
L-R: Dave, Anne, and Rod training for the Challenge.
The Wightlink Wight Challenge is held twice a year in May and September and starts and finishes from Jersey Camp near Porchfield on the Isle of Wight. The event combines a 22 mile mountain bike ride, two miles open canoeing, and an eight mile running challenge - and yes, each member of the CHC team will have to do the lot!
Please go online to sponsor them through Virgin Money Giving; all donations will be quickly processed and passed to Wessex Heartbeat.
Read the full story on COWES.co.uk.
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Cowes Harbour Race Notification Procedure in good use
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The Island Sailing Club's popular Tuesday Evening Race Series concluded this week with the traditional 'Bang & Go Back Race' after a successful season of 18 races. Several races were lost to bad weather or lack of wind, but entry numbers held up well and ISC Race Officers liaised closely with commercial operators in Cowes Harbour to ensure the smooth running of all race starts.
The 2012 season is the third year that the CHC introduced "Race Notification Procedure" has been used by the Island Sailing Club and the second year that it has been rolled out across all yacht clubs carrying out shoreline starts in Cowes. This involves the advanced notification of yacht races and fleet numbers direct to all commercial users in Cowes Harbour, and to Southampton VTS. This procedure allows Masters and Pilots using Cowes Harbour to de-conflict their vessel's arrival or departure and, if necessary, contact the duty Race Officer.
CHC are very pleased to announce that in 2012 there were no reported incidents involving commercial vessels and boats when starting from an organised Cowes shoreline start. This is a credit to the efforts and now established relationship between the Race Officers and the Masters of the Red Funnel ferries and cargo vessels that frequent Cowes Harbour.
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