What do we want Cowes Harbour to look like in 2020? This and other significant questions are to form part of a far-reaching review of CHC's current Strategic Framework document and policies, which is due to take place over the autumn/winter of 2014-2015. The existing five year Strategic Framework document was revised in May 2011. With the new breakwater funded and construction well underway, and most of the principle objectives in the current document completed, Commissioners believe that now is the right time to carry out a major objectives and policy review. This strategic review will look to 2020 and beyond, to identify CHC's vision for the next 10 plus years. Cowes Harbour's Advisory Committee, other key stakeholder groups and all harbour users will shortly be invited to contribute to the review process by submitting comments and recommendations for consideration.

Harbour Master Capt. Stuart McIntosh, said: "It is vitally important for CHC to consult with all Cowes Harbour stakeholders on the vision to carry us forward for the next five years; therefore, we have set up a working group to prepare a detailed strategic questionnaire for circulation. I very much look forward to receiving your ideas for improvements, indications as to what issues we need to deal with, and also, for harbour users to take a look at the overall 'big picture' of what they would like to see for Cowes Harbour by the year 2020 and beyond."

We will keep you informed via our E-newsletters and notify stakeholders as soon as consultation is due to commence.

Stage 6 Exclusion Zone

Five settlement beacons were also installed on the breakwater for on-going monitoring during a four to six week initial resting period prior to the gravel pre-load being reshaped up to 5.0m above chart datum this autumn; the settlement beacons will remain in place until spring 2015.

Boskalis plan to return on 6th October, for approximately two weeks, to reshape the breakwater core using gravel stored on the breakwater sides; this will be achieved using an excavator and a floating spud-legged barge.

The breakwater is already proving a popular spot for wildlife, especially birds, as can be seen in a few of our latest photos of the new Cowes breakwater.

Navigation information: All vessels and plant associated with the breakwater build have been removed from the Construction Zone for the time being; this has enabled CHC to further reduce the size of the Exclusion Zone as detailed in Local Notice to Mariners No 26(T) of 2014. The breakwater is now marked with five yellow lights on the gravel core, plus two additional buoys marking the western and eastern ends.

Tidal flow modelling carried out before construction of the breakwater predicted certain changes to tidal rates and directions within the harbour. Local Notice to Mariners No 25 of 2014 provides the latest observed changes to the tidal system at Mean High Water Springs (4.2m). All harbour users should take these tide flows into account when navigating in the harbour. Further detailed tidal flow monitoring will be carried out in November to ascertain precise flow rates and directions.

Ben Willows, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, said:" In response to stakeholder concerns over the quality of river water, the CHCAC has worked with CHC and the Estuaries Officer in order to meet with Southern Water and the EA to better understand the water quality issues that Cowes is facing."

The Environment Agency is the regulator and responsible for issuing discharge consents that allow a certain amount of wastewater into the estuary. There are a number of private discharge consents into the estuary as well as those monitored and controlled by Southern Water. Southern Water are responsible for maintaining as well as upgrading the system, and ensuring that the service delivered is 'fit-for-purpose' and meets regulatory requirements.

A key role for stakeholders will be to report any incidents of pollution through the Environment Agency's incident hotline number 0800 80 70 60, which is open 24/7. This will ensure that incidents are recorded systematically and any problem areas can then be identified.

"It is really important," Ben continued, "that anyone who witnesses a water quality issue in the river reports it to the EA, via the hotline, as soon as possible so that it is recorded and investigated by the EA. This will be a big help in creating a picture for the EA as to where and when issues arise."

Speed and wash: CHC has also been working with the Estuaries Project to produce additional signage to remind river users about speed and wash in the sensitive areas of the estuary. Ben added: "The Advisory Committee is very pleased to see there are new signs to help control speed and wash going up in the Folly area."

First and foremost however, CHC's remit is to provide education on speeding and control of wash for all users of Cowes Harbour and the River Medina, but the Commission will prosecute for serious speeding offences or repeat offences if absolutely necessary and indeed, one prosecution for speeding and related infringements of Cowes Harbour General Directions is currently underway.

All mariners should proceed at a safe speed and not produce wake or wash that could cause a nuisance to other river users. The harbour is not only used by ships and yachts, but also by tenders and dinghies, many of which have a low freeboard and could easily be swamped.

The main workhorse at CHC's Kingston Marine Services (KMS) is the 16m Multi-Cat vessel Seaclear, which is operated under the Code of Practice for the 'Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats' and is annually surveyed for compliance. Every three years Seaclear is examined out of the water for her SCV (small commercial vessel) certification. Currently, Seaclear is spending three weeks ashore for a full refit. This will involve a major overhaul of the hull coatings; inspection of all underwater systems, including propellors, shafts and stern glands; and servicing of the hydraulic systems on the crane.

CHC are investing �8k into the refit project with the KMS team carrying out some of the required works to Seaclear, and South Boats IOW undertaking the rest of the repairs.

The awe-inspiring story of Sir Ernest Shackleton's perilous journey across land and sea is well known as one of the greatest feats of leadership, courage and survival. Shackleton and his small crew navigated the 22.5 foot James Caird from Elephant Island through the immense waves of the Southern Ocean before scaling the icy mountains of South Georgia to find help for the crew of the Endurance.

Re-enacting that incredible journey using authentic equipment seems an impossible task but in 2013 the explorer Tim Jarvis AM led an expedition called 'Shackleton Epic', which was the first to complete that challenge. A replica of the James Caird was built at the International Boatbuilding College at Lowestoft and named Alexandra Shackleton after Shackleton's granddaughter. Tim Jarvis AM is a veteran of multiple polar expeditions but believes this was the most challenging expedition of his life. He will be speaking at the Cowes Literary Festival on 18th October and recreating this extraordinary adventure.