BMF NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2007
View Newsletter ArchiveMarine South West (with SWRDA funding) has renewed our contract for 2007/8. The association has to undertake to carry out certain objectives. These are to increase membership; representation on MSW Task Force / Council; public sector lobbying; representation on Skills Centre Advisory Board; Schools Marine Challenge coordination; meeting with other networks to share best practice; public partner representation; links with Marine Skills Centre; Profile raising public events – this is mainly Poole Afloat. We aim to meet these objectives and look forward to our third year of working with Marine South West.
At the AGM on 9th October Andy Osman will be standing down after 2 years in the chair. Peter Gordon is following in Dad Jim’s footsteps and taking over. Keith Lovett has agreed to stand as vice chairman. Nominations are invited to join the committee. Please contact Celia Sharpe a.s.a.p. if you are interested.
Poole's biggest-ever free boating and watersports event, Poole Afloat, sponsored by Rockley Holiday Park, was a success attracting thousands of visitors throughout the weekend of 23rd and 24th June. Renowned for providing an exciting free family day out, visitors enjoyed an impressive showcase of the latest sports boats, wind and kite boards, 'Try-A-Boat' and 'Try-A-Dive' sessions and a host of other top entertainment.
During the two day event, which took place at Harbourside Park and Poole Quay, more than 300 people (in spite of the weather) climbed on board a diversity of boats such as motor cruisers, RIBS, sailing dinghies and kayaks for free trips around Poole Harbour and to get a taste of life on the water. As well as having the opportunity to have a look on board luxury motor yachts, visitors could climb on board a World War II motor gunboat, the operational RNLI Poole lifeboat, Royal Marines Landing and Offshore Raiding crafts and the HM Coastguard boat.
The newest 'have a go' feature to the event, 'Try-A-Dive' organised by Just U Dive, proved extremely popular with people of all ages getting kitted up in wetsuits for 30-minute scuba diving taster sessions in a specially constructed pool at Harbourside Park.
Poole Afloat also hosted the RNLI's first-ever 24-hour liferaft challenge, 'Adrift at Poole Afloat'. In aid of the 'Train One Save Many' campaign, four RNLI sea survival trainers took to the water in a liferaft which was moored off Poole Quay on Saturday 23rd June at 12pm and were rescued by the Poole RNLI Lifeboat 24 hours later.
Crowds also had the opportunity to participate in the interactive RNLI 'Get Your Kit On' exercise, which required competitors to race against the clock and get dressed in the full RNLI crew kit in the quickest time possible. There was also the chance to watch dinghy boat building demonstrations provided by the Traditional Wooden Boat Section of Poole Yacht Club. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter also delighted visitors with a fly-by.
Aside from boating demonstrations, families also enjoyed a schedule of free family entertainment including live music from the Wareham Whalers sea shanty band, face painting and guest appearances from Rockley Holiday Park's Haven FunStar characters.
James Sydenham, says: "Without doubt this was an outstanding event by every measure. This year thousands of people attended over the weekend and the weather didn't deter people from scheduling a trip on one of the many boats that were part of the 'Try A Boat' feature. We would also like to thank all Poole Afloat exhibitors and supporters for their contribution to this year's event."
Poole Afloat was organised by BMF Wessex and was supported by the Borough of Poole, the South West Regional Development Agency and Original 106 FM.
Next year we are looking at differing formats for the event. Watch for details in future newsletters.
The Poole based Marine Skills Centre is reporting improvements across all aspects of its operation, and is currently starting the new college year with more students than ever. Paragon Ltd, the most successful training provider in the South of England and the largest provider of the BMF framework nationally, are permanently based at the MSC and consistently provide high quality, local training. This training is tailored to meet employer's skills needs and they are supported by the South West RDA in conjunction with Marine South West.
The benefits of having a vocationally focussed training centre are paying off. The number of fully funded apprentices is increasing year on year, with 72 during 05/06, 90 in 06/07 and this year starting with 129, 3 of which are girls. The centre has excellent classrooms and a fully equipped workshop, with state of the art training aids, and with the additional commitment from trained staff the achievement rates have gone up from 60% in 2006 to 88% in 2007.
Whilst apprenticeships remain the core business, Paragon and the MSC also run an increasing number of corporate training courses for the marine sector. They include MCA and RYA certificated courses, a 10 week welding course and bespoke electrical courses. They are also the only provider, in the UK, licensed to deliver the international ABYC electrical course. The uptake for these courses has shown exponential growth over the last few years, in addition they are also seeing more bookings for the training room and conference facilities.
This is a good indicator that the local leisure marine business market is thriving, and the increase in numbers of apprentices bode well. The centre is lucky in having the support from local business such as Sunseeker and the RNLI as well as a large number of smaller businesses in the Poole area. With the total commitment and quality of the staff coupled with the excellence of the facility offered means that it can look forward with confidence to even greater success.
This six-day course to be held in Poole is designed for marina and boatyard managers who have at least three years relevant management experience. Delegates who successfully complete the course will be recognised as meeting one of the requirements to become an IMI Certificated Marina Manager (CMM). The cost of the course is £1,999.00 + VAT (£2,348.82) for members of the BMF or TYHA and £2,500.00 + VAT (£2,937.50) for non-members. This will include the course fee, accommodation, all meals, course notes and field trip costs. To book or if you have any queries please contact Deidre Williams on 01784 223630 or email dwilliams@britishmarine.co.uk
Rockley Watersports' newest centre at Poole Park has been deemed a success as it celebrated the official launch with dignitaries of Poole and VIP's from the boating world! Having invested over £100k into new watersports equipment and boat house on the edge of the 60-acre Poole Park lake, Rockley Watersports welcomed over 60 people, including the Mayor of Poole, Jeff Allen to celebrate the official launch of 'Rockley @ Poole Park'.
Rockley Watersports has added a new feature to its Poole Park centre with the introduction of dragon boats! Made famous recently by Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, the 40 ft. dragon boat gives up to 20 paddlers the chance to get on the water and practice the skills of the ancient watersport. Dragon Boats were designed over 2000 years ago in China and have since become a popular form of team watersports in the UK.
Rockley Watersports has invested in two dragon boats, adding a new dimension to the company's fantastic watersports facilities at Poole Park! Peter Gordon said: "The dragon boats are quite a sight to behold at Poole Park's 60-acre lake! The interest in the dragon boats at Rockley Watersports has surpassed our expectations and schools are using the dragon boats as a springboard to bring together a number of Curriculum subjects, including history and art and design in a fun and memorable way".
For further information visit www.poolepark.com or call 01202 666479.
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