Cowes Harbour Commission Newsletter
14th May 2015
Annual Public Meeting
Our Annual Report for 2014-2015 has just been published on the CHC website, summarising the activities and salient features of the past year, and I do hope that you will find it both interesting and informative. 

Next Thursday, 21st May, we are holding our Annual Public Meeting, where I will present our Annual Report, as well as the breakwater build programme for 2015, and news on the exciting development projects due to take place in East Cowes.

Finally, I look forward to reporting on the consultation carried out during our recent strategic review for Cowes Harbour, as well as promoting the revised plans and objectives which will form the core of the Commission's new Strategic Policy Document 2015-2020.

My Commissioners and I look forward to seeing you at our Annual Public Meeting next week, on 21st May, from 1900 at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes.

Best regards,
Captain Stuart McIntosh
Cowes Harbour Master
Please keep in touch!
Local Notices to Mariners
Sailors and boaters using Cowes Harbour are advised to regularly check Local Notices to Mariners.

You can also sign up to receive direct email notification of new Cowes Local Notices to Mariners.

Links to recent Notices:










View all current Local Notices to Mariners in force.
CHC Annual Report published online

Cowes Harbour Commission has today (14th May 2015) published its Annual Report and would like to encourage stakeholders to view the Report in advance of next week's Annual Public Meeting on Thursday, 21st May, at 1900 in the Island Sailing Club, Cowes.


In a change from previous years, a digital version of the the Annual Report 2014-2015 has also been made available on the CHC website, as well as a PDF download.

Agenda for Annual Public Meeting

Annual Public Meeting and Annual Report
CHC Chairman Roger Mathias and the Commissioners will be present at the Annual Public Meeting on 21st May, and would like to extend an invitation to all Cowes Harbour users and stakeholders to attend. At the meeting, Harbour Master Capt. Stuart McIntosh will give a short presentation, on behalf of the Commissioners, on CHC's Annual Report for 2014-2015.


Cowes Breakwater Project

The Harbour Master will then focus on presenting a full update on the Cowes Breakwater Project and its long-term objectives, the construction programme and navigational information for the final phase of works this year, as well as an update on the tidal regime.

 

2015 is set to be a pivotal year in the development of Cowes Harbour. Completion of the new Cowes Breakwater will realise the Commission's long-term goal of transforming Cowes into a true sheltered harbour, supporting jobs and businesses and creating a catalyst for further investment, as is already being seen with the proposed new marina and Solent Gateways development projects in East Cowes.

 

East Cowes development

There will also be a development update regarding the Homes and Communities Agency's proposed new Victoria Marina in East Cowes. This proposed marina development will assist with the additional funding required to enable CHC to complete the harbour protection programme. The final stages of harbour infrastructure involve the construction of the Shrape breakwater extension and improved harbour access and navigational safety by the dredging of the new Eastern Channel.

 

Solent Gateways

In addition, a summary of the Solent Gateways project will be provided. Solent Gateways is a partnership between the Homes and Communities Agency, Isle of Wight Council, Red Funnel, and Southampton City Council.

 

This scheme will give the enabling public infrastructure needed to improve the Red Funnel Ferry terminals on each side of the Solent, including access roads, cycling and walking routes, town centre public realm in East Cowes, good quality waterfront areas, and a new 'floating bridge' between East and West Cowes.

 

The 'floating bridge' has safety and navigation impacts, which need to be taken into consideration for the design of the new Chain Ferry and therefore, the Harbour Master Capt. McIntosh has been invited by the Isle of Wight Council to sit on the steering board for the procurement of the new Chain Ferry.

 

CHC Strategic Policy Document 2015-2020

Over the winter and spring of 2014 to 2015, Cowes Harbour Commissioners have been consulting and developing the new strategic policies that will cover the period from 2015 to 2020 and beyond. CHC's updated vision, key strategic policies and objectives will be promoted at the Annual Public Meeting before the final round of consultation takes place.

 

Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for discussion and the Commissioners and Harbour Master will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Date for your diary: Thursday, 21st May, CHC Annual Public Meeting, 1900 at the Island Sailing Club, Cowes. We look forward to seeing you there.
Facebook_Logo Flickr_Logo YouTube_Logo