CHC is pleased to report that the statutory consultation phase for the proposed Cowes Harbour Revision Order (HRO) has been successfully completed. This is another important step towards modernising and improving the legislative powers available to Cowes Harbour Authority to ensure that 'local harbour rules' remain 'fit for purpose'.

Once the Marine Management Organisation has reviewed and approved the HRO, it will be laid before Parliament before it can be brought into force. This will then signal the start of statutory consultations on a new set of General Directions for Cowes Harbour, which will all be subject to an agreed adjudication process, if there are any outstanding issues that were not resolved during the consultation period.

The new General Directions will take over from existing Cowes Harbour byelaws and become the primary tool for local legislation within the Harbour.

CHC is committed to the principle of transparency and has already undertaken a significant amount of consultation with stakeholders and the Advisory Committee during the development and drafting of the new General Directions. It is now vital that the statutory consultation on the proposed new General Directions gets underway as soon as possible so that it can be a thorough and robust process.

In conclusion, these powers of General Direction are required in the interests of providing safe navigation within a busy harbour and therefore, from a safety point of view CHC is keen to get the new General Directions in place for the 2013 season.

Read the full story on COWES.co.uk.

David Riley, the Cowes Harbour Commissioner responsible for Finance and Governance is a practising Chartered Accountant with over 35 years' experience.

He has owned a house in West Cowes since 1988 and for the last 10 years has spent most of his time there when not at work. A competitive racing sailor since his childhood on the east coast, he owns and occasionally races a 33 foot, locally designed racer/cruiser.

"For a public body, transparency in finance and governance matters is essential," said David. "Since my appointment in 2009 Cowes Harbour Commission has made great strides in moving towards full compliance with the guidance on governance. This guidance also expects the Commission to make a commercially acceptable rate of return on its assets. The surpluses we make should be used to support the long term viability of the port and thus for the benefit of stakeholders.

"In the 24 years since I've been in Cowes there have been many changes and improvements to the harbour, paid for from a number of sources including surpluses generated by the Commission.

"One of the reasons I was proud to be appointed a Commissioner was because I felt I could assist in the financial structuring relating to the breakwater project and I look forward to its completion by the time I complete my second three-year term as a Commissioner in 2015."

Read the full story on COWES.co.uk.

At the September meeting of CHC's Advisory Committee, Red Funnel CEO James Fulford was elected as the new Chairman. There was consensus that a Vice Chairman should also be appointed and this position was given to Adrian Wilkins representing Medina Combined Clubs.

After his election, James Fulford stated that he would endeavour to discharge his duties as Chairman using best judgement as a delegate for the benefit of the Advisory Committee, regardless of the fact that he was a representative of Red Funnel. He also made it clear that if and when he was offering a view as a representative of Red Funnel, and unless this is stated at the time, his views should be interpreted as representing the Committee as a whole.

The Advisory Committee, which meets at least four times a year, is a key part of Cowes Harbour Commission's good governance policies, enabling stakeholders to bring issues to the attention of CHC, and assisting the flow of information to the Cowes and harbour community.

As the autumn nights start to draw in, it's time to prepare for over wintering your boat.

Firstly, please be aware that for vessels on a CHC licensed mooring it has always been the mooring license holder's responsibility to provide their own mooring strop or mooring lines and to maintain vigilance over them, reporting to the moorings team any problems.

Whilst Harbour staff endeavour to check mooring strops and lines visually on a regular basis and act on noticeable defects, owners should take care to check the strops and lines regularly during the winter.

Further, we recommend that all substantial cruisers on a swinging mooring should have double strops. Owners of vessels being left unattended for any length of time over the winter should look at roving a secondary line or chain for peace of mind to cover the possibility of the main strop parting.

Now is the time to remove, clean and store all pile lines. Don't leave them to foul up over the winter, shortening their usefulness and ruining your pristine deck and your wife's fingernails in the spring!

As with pile lines, the use of worn out multiplait genoa sheet is not recommended for pontoon lines and the practice of doubling up of lines in the winter is sought after and almost universally practiced.

If you should need any further assistance or advice, please feel free to call the CHC mooring team based at Shepards Wharf Marina on 01983 297821, or email moorings.chc@cowes.co.uk.

Read the full article on COWES.co.uk.

Work has already started on the 2013 edition of the Cowes Port Handbook and publishers Island Holiday Media are keen to receive any feedback you may wish to give regarding this year's Port Handbook.

We would like to hear from Cowes Port Handbook users, advertisers, and stakeholders alike.

Please email the editor with all your thoughts and comments on how the Handbook can continue to build on its long-standing reputation as a first-class guide for yachtsmen and visitors to Cowes.