CHC attended the autumn meeting of the Solent Forum at Northwood House, at which Capt. Stuart McIntosh delivered a presentation on the Cowes Outer Harbour Breakwater Project to representatives from a wide range of coastal sector organisations.

Presentations at the Solent Forum's September meeting also included an update on the Southampton Water Channel Dredge, along with reports on the Isle of Wight Special Protection Area, and Medina Valley Employment & Water Access.

The Solent Forum is an established partnership that promotes and delivers integrated coastal zone management around the Solent, with the Forum being used by the coastal community as a vehicle to inform and consult on topical coastal issues. To find out more, visit the Solent Forum website.

CHC has welcomed news of the re-establishment of the Isle of Wight branch of the British Marine Federation (BMF). Following a very productive AGM on 4 September, a new executive board has been appointed for the BMF Isle of Wight region, with Chris Clayton of Seaward taking the helm as Chairman, and Cowes Yacht Haven's Jon Pridham taking the role of Deputy Chairman.

Read a message from new Chairman Chris Clayton, and find out about plans for BMF Isle of Wight here.

The 10th ASTO Cowes Small Ships Race, an extremely popular event in the sail training world, will take place on Saturday, 5 October. The ASTO Small Ships regattas are youth events open to any sail training vessel of which at least half the crew is under the age of 25.

IYWAC crew, ASTO race 2012.

Read the full story on COWES.co.uk.

We are very pleased to be in a position to publish a preliminary timeline for the construction of the new Cowes breakwater:

* Final ground investigation works now completed

* Tender out to five short-listed contractors; to

   return by 18 October

* Design and build contract to be awarded this

   December

Cowes Harbour Commission and Cowes Yacht Haven are working closely with Visit Isle of Wight to develop a partnership of local organisations and companies to help promote Cowes and East Cowes as a destination, with the aim of increasing the number of visitors, new events, and cruise ships coming to Cowes.

Recent signs of recovery in the national economy, together with a successful season bolstered by some good weather, have provided the incentive to consider a marketing initiative partnership that is modelled on a destination management organisation (DMO) and works under the umbrella of Visit Isle of Wight, which undertakes similar work for the whole Island.

A steering group, consisting of CHC, Cowes Yacht Haven, Cowes Week Limited / Cowes Combined Clubs, Red Funnel, and Visit Isle of Wight has put forward an outline proposal to the major stakeholders in both Cowes and East Cowes for consideration by their respective boards and committees.

We look forward to reporting further as efforts continue to create a mini DMO for Cowes.

Wednesday, 4 September dawned a glorious, sunny day in Cowes with temperatures in the high 20s Celcius, a perfect day for cruise ship MV Europa's latest visit to the Island.

The MV Europa arrived from Hamburg with 214 passengers and 272 crew on board, and anchored off Cowes at 0745 allowing passengers a whole day for sightseeing before departing at 1800 in the evening.

Martin Everett of Denholm Wilhelmsen Ltd, the ship agency acting for MV Europa, said: "Europa's passengers were tendered from the Cowes anchorage to Trinity Landing pontoon for coach tours and for some, travel around the Island in classic cars. The good weather obviously made the experience for passengers and crew that much better and helped to show off the Island at its very best!"

Following confirmation of the government's £3.16m investment into CHC's Outer Harbour Breakwater, we were very pleased to receive news of major improvements to be carried out at the Venture Quays site in East Cowes which form part of ambitious plans to create a new marina to assist with regeneration of the area.

Around £2 million is being invested by the government in upgrading buildings and improving marine services at Venture Quays, with work expected to take place over the next six months. This forms part of wider plans for a new 300-berth marina at East Cowes, with a public landing facility, hotel, restaurant, up to 100 new homes and car parking.

Read the full story on COWES.co.uk.

CHC's publishing partner, Solent, are already looking ahead to next year's Cowes Port Handbook - with an increased print run and extended distribution on the Island and mainland forming part of plans for 2014.

Capt. Stuart McIntosh said: "The importance of marketing Cowes is high on the agenda and our Port Handbook and COWES.co.uk website continue to provide the most effective way of directly reaching local yachtsmen, visitors, and businesses. This is underlined by the terrific uplift in online visitors experienced over the last 12 months, a rise of 34%.

"The new mainland distribution is as a result of increased demand for the Handbook, and demonstrates the importance of Cowes as a cruising destination. Thank you for your continued and valued support."