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Cowes Week preview


With just days to go until the start of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on Saturday, 3 August, the CHC team have been working hard to prepare for the large numbers of race and spectator craft that come to enjoy the sailing regatta.

Kingston Marine Services have laid over 200 additional day class moorings, plus 40 deep water swinging moorings, and an emergency lifting facility will be available at KMS during the regatta. KMS also provide a commercial shipping and ferry escort service during peak periods.

The Cowes Harbour fuel berth on the River Medina will operate extended opening hours from 0800 to 1800, and CHC Berthing Masters will carry out additional river and harbour patrols until midnight each day.

Either myself, Rod Hodgson, Deputy Harbour Master, or the CHC Marine Officer, will be present in the Cowes Week Race Box based at the RYS Platform, to act as the communications link between the Race Officers, CHC patrol boats, Cowes bound commercial shipping and the Red Funnel Ferries representative.

I'm pleased to say that once again, CHC has supported the fireworks fundraising campaign and we much look forward to the display at the end of the regatta.

In the meantime, I've put in a request for plenty of sunshine and good sailing breezes - and wish you all a safe and enjoyable Cowes Week 2013!

Best regards,

blue sig

Captain Stuart McIntosh,

Cowes Harbour Master

 

Disposal of flares

Ramora UK is to repeat its distress flare disposal service for sailors taking part in this year's Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Out-of-date flares can be delivered to the Ramora UK disposal area at Town Quay (next to the Harbour Office) on Friday, 2 August between 1500 and 2000 and on Saturday, 3 August between 0900 and 1800, offering the perfect opportunity for competitors to dispose of their out-of-date flares before they go racing.

 

More information about the safe disposal of out-of-date marine flares is on the CHC website here.

 

Red Arrows over Cowes

Cowes Week Limited has just confirmed that this iconic aerobatic display team will be performing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on Friday, 9 August at 1930.

Photo: Sally Sturmey

 

Around the world the Red Arrows are renowned as ambassadors for the Royal Air Force and the United Kingdom, and we are delighted and extremely proud to welcome them back to Cowes this year.

 

Sign up for Cowes news

We would like to encourage all our readers to share this newsletter with family and friends via the "Forward email" link at the foot of this email.

Alternatively, just scan the above QR code with a smart phone to register for free CHC E-newsletters. 
 

Please keep in touch!

Cowes Harbour Commission is always happy to gain feedback on its services and on the issues it is tackling on behalf of all harbour users and stakeholders.

If you would like 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, phone and make an appointment on:
 01983 293952, or email: [email protected]. 
 
CHC also owns and operates the following commercial services: Shepards Wharf Marina, Kingston Marine Services & Boatyard, Cowes Harbour Moorings, and Cowes Harbour Fuels. 

You can keep up-to-date with all CHC news on our website:
 

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. 25(T) of 2013: Rolex Fastnet Race Start: Sunday, 11 August 2013

No. 24(T) of 2013: Cowes Week Regatta Fireworks Display: Friday, 9 August 2013

No. 23 of 2013: Cowes Week Regatta: 3-10 August 2013

No. 22 of 2013: Regular Sail Boat Racing in the Approaches to Cowes Harbour

No. 19 of 2013: Use of 'Kill Cords' On-Board Powered Craft

No. 17(T) of 2013: Eastern Pair of Yellow Lateral Buoys Marking the Small Craft Channel are Reported as Extinguished

No. 15 of 2013: New Cowes General Directions Come into Force on the 2nd of April 2013

No. 14 of 2013: Navigation within the Cowes Harbour Fairway

No. 13 of 2013: Use of Engines by Sailing Vessels in the Inner and Outer Fairways

No. 12 of 2013: Small Craft Channel

No. 11 of 2013: Approaches to Cowes Harbour

No. 10 of 2013: Cowes Roads and Main Harbour Areas Restricted Areas

All current Notices are available on the CHC website.
 
Above: Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2013 runs from 3-10 August. Photo: Rick Tomlinson.
Enjoy a safe Cowes Week 2013

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is an exciting time to be on the water but with the extra volume of boats competing in the racing or just enjoying the sailing, it is even more important than usual to ensure that you and your crews are kept safe.

CHC safety tips for Cowes Week

We have issued some useful tips, advice and information to help make your time on the water safe and enjoyable. Please take a few minutes to read the following:

Cowes Week Recreational Safety Tips

Cowes Week Chain Ferry Information

 

Cowes Week fireworks
The popular Cowes fireworks display has taken place on the final Friday of Cowes Week since the very earliest days of the regatta and is viewed by many as an intrinsic part of the onshore festivities.

 

For 2013, Pains Fireworks will be back at the helm. The company has a long heritage with the Cowes fireworks display and the first recorded link to the regatta in the Pains Fireworks ledgers is August 1862!

 

This year's fireworks display will start with a series of maroons and ship's horn blasts from the fireworks barge, to be responded to by all vessels in the harbour, creating a cacophony of sound that will introduce what is sure to be a spectacular display.

 

Important advice for vessels on fireworks night:

- All boats must maintain a distance of 250m from the fireworks barge at all times.

- Do not anchor between swinging moorings; there are chains on the seabed and you will lose your anchor.

- Do not raft on swinging moorings.

- Ensure your correct anchor or navigation lights are lit after sunset.

- There will be a 15 knot speed limit in the Solent from 2100-2300; the speed limit in Cowes Harbour is 6 knots at all times.

- Read LNTM No. 24(T) of 2013: Cowes Week Regatta Fireworks Display - Friday, 9 August 2013.

Cowes breakwater goes ahead

Earlier this month, Cowes Harbour Commission reported the excellent news that the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will be supporting the Cowes Breakwater Project with a �3m investment. This represents a major breakthrough and enables the Commissioners to fulfil their pledge to deliver a true sheltered harbour for the long-term prosperity and future of Cowes and the Isle of Wight.

The HCA's investment represents an additional �3.16m contribution to the project, with a minimum of �3m coming from the Harbour Commission's own funds.

 

Construction work on the Cowes Breakwater itself will not begin until the first quarter of next year, however, the first visible signs of activity in the harbour will be the planned ground investigation works starting on 17 August.

 

CHC are committed to keeping stakeholders and harbour users fully informed as the project progresses with the monthly newsletters being the primary source of information - so keep watching this space! We will update readers again in August, and following that, the September E-newsletter will contain a briefing on the timeline - along with answers to some of the questions being posed about the Cowes Breakwater Project and future, associated harbour infrastructure works.

Come and party at Shepards  Wharf

Shepards Wharf Marina, located just a few minutes walk from the High Street, is Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week's most unique and exciting official event venue - dedicated to sailing crews, friends and family.

This year sees a welcome a return for the Crew Bar, trade village and food court with entrance to Shepards available to everyone. New for 2013 is "Crazy Larry's" nightclub which is open every day during the regatta until 0200. Entry to Crazy Larry's is even free with your competitor's card before 2230.

 

Once again, Shepards is excited to be hosting the legendary Toe in the Water Crew Party, on Saturday, 3 August from 1800 to 0200. Tickets cost �5 and can be purchased either on the night or in advance via Toe in the Water.

 

New for 2013 at the Toe in the Water Crew Party and through to Friday, 9 August, is the Splash and Tickle waterside Champagne Spa! Try out the hot tubs, or cool off in the swimming pool!

 

Last but not least, is the ever popular Mount Gay Rum Red Cap Party at Shepards on Thursday, 8 August from 1800 - 0200. Tickets will be on sale from the Crew Bar at Shepards for �8.00 (includes a free drink on arrival).

 

Read more on COWES.co.uk.

Making the environment second nature

The Green Blue will be working with Cowes Week Limited, the Isle of Wight Estuaries Project, CHC, and local marinas at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to help raise awareness of the issue of discharges from recreational boats.

The Green Blue is a joint environment programme set up by the British Marine Federation and RYA for anyone who enjoys getting out on the water or whose livelihood depends on it. They help boat users, boating businesses, sailing clubs and training centres to reduce their impact on coastal and inland waters.

 

To help sailors and boaters to think and act in a more environmentally conscious way, The Green Blue has designed a simple guide which is packed with advice and tips: The Green Guide to Coastal Boating.

 

Find out more at www.thegreenblue.org.uk.

Rolex Fastnet Race returns

The 45th edition of the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race sets off from Cowes on Sunday, 11 August. At present, the tally for the Royal Ocean Racing Club's flagship event, the world's largest offshore yacht race, stands at a record breaking 351 entries.

The allure of the 608 nautical mile non-stop race from Cowes to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock, off the southern tip of Ireland, continues to attract competitors from around the globe. Impressively, this year one third of the fleet, 119 boats, are from overseas.

 

The first warning signal for the 2013 Rolex Fastnet Race is at 1150 on the Royal Yacht Squadron line, with the first class start at midday followed by a two hour long start sequence. Dedicated coverage of this classic yacht race will be provided by Fastnet Radio broadcasts with full live commentaries for the build up and entire start sequences at Cowes right through to the fleet leaving the Solent.

 

- Read LNTM No. 25(T) of 2013: Rolex Fastnet Race Start - Sunday, 11 August 2013 for navigational information.

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