At the Commission's February Board Meeting, it was unanimously agreed to support this summer's inaugural International Etchells Invitational Cup in Cowes.

This exciting, new fleet racing event for the Etchells Class is being run by the Royal Thames Yacht Club in conjunction with the Royal London Yacht Club, and takes place from 26 to 31 July 2014. The intention is that it will become an annual event.

The Commission has confirmed that subsidised moorings will be provided at Shepards Wharf Marina, and a mooring will be supplied at Trinity Landing for a fully dressed Etchells yacht, in front of the RLYC, to provide good spectator appeal and help promote the class.

Cowes Harbour Master, Capt. Stuart McIntosh, said: "My Commissioners and I, are really looking forward to working with the Etchells Class to make this inaugural event a great success. This promises be a truly international event, which will draw considerable interest to Cowes, and it fits well with CHC's proposal to support initiatives to bring new events to Cowes."

Cowes Etchells Captain, David Franks, said: " I am delighted by the support of the Cowes Harbour Commissioners for the inaugural Etchells Invitational Cup. We have 16 countries, and 20 teams competing, including the Australian John Bertrand, America's Cup Champion and World Etchells Champion."

Peter Taylor, MBE, Vice Commodore of the RLYC, stated that the club was delighted to be jointly hosting the International Etchells Invitational Cup. This event will see competitors coming from all over the world, and will be very good for Cowes. He said: "We very much appreciate the support we are receiving from Cowes Harbour Commission in respect of the use of Trinity Landing and the provision of a mooring, for a boat to be dressed overall, in front of the clubhouse to draw attention to the event. This regatta fits in well between the Charles Stanley Cowes Classics Week, which is run by the Royal London, and Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and will be a busy three weeks for the town."

Dramatic sky over Cowes Harbour. Photo Hamo Thornycroft.

CHC has two Commissioners reaching the end of their second term of office this May, and consequently a recruitment process is underway to seek replacements.

The philosophy within the Commission is to look ahead at the skill sets we believe will be needed over the next few years to meet requirements. It is particularly important for the Board to contain an appropriate balance of skills, competencies and experience to manage the harbour effectively and provide leadership, motivation, and strategic direction.

Chairman of CHC, Roger Mathias, said: "For the period 2014 to 2017, the Commission is particularly seeking candidates with expertise and experience in marketing, as well as safety and security. These skills are not prescriptive and candidates who can contribute in other relevant areas will be considered in the broad context of a balanced Board requirement.

"We have been very fortunate in the quality of our Commissioners and CHC will be looking to build on that to match future needs."

Each Commissioner is appointed for a three year period which may be extended to a second period, and only in exceptional circumstances, to a third period.

A recruitment panel is being formed which will consist of the Chairman of CHC, a local stakeholder, and an independent. The Commissioner posts will be advertised online on the CHC website, and also in the Isle of Wight County Press on 7 March. The closing date for applications is Monday, 24 March.

A full Harbour Commissioner information pack and application form will soon be available on the CHC website: www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk.

The interview panel will convene in early April. Recommendations to the CHC Board will be made later in April with the intention of the new Commissioners starting their appointment in May.