BMF NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2008
View Newsletter ArchiveThe Summer Quarterly Meeting and dinner was held at the Royal Motor Yacht Club on 17th June. Glen Mallen from the RNLI gave a very interesting talk on training for lifeboat crews. Following the meeting Glen has kindly offered to take a group of people to experience the training simulator at the College. This will be on Thursday 25th September at 3.00pm. Places are very limited and will be on a first come first served basis. Please call Celia Sharpe on 01202 431088 or email wessex@britishmarine.co.uk if you would like to come along.
We are very proud that ex BMF Wessex Chairman Jon Eads is now President of the BMF. Congratulations to him. Jon gave up a day to come along and help at Poole Afloat with his son Sam and we are very grateful to them both and all the other helpers.
On Saturday 21st June thousands descended on Poole Quay, Dorset, for the free boating festival, Poole Afloat. A range of attractions were offered throughout the day, from a spectacular showcase of boats and watersports accessories to 'Try A Boat' sessions as well as a wide selection of activities targeted at family entertainment.
A popular attraction at the event was 'Try A boat', which launched 486 visitors onto the water and received tremendous feedback. There was a range of water craft to try - everything from dinghies, Ribs and power boats to sailing yachts, and all for free! The Royal Marines Ribs proved extremely popular.
A multitude of marine-related products and services were on display within the exhibition area on Poole Quay and people also had the chance to meet the professionals and learn about sea safety and training courses. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter also delighted visitors to the event with a fly-by over Poole Quay during the day.
Held in conjunction with Harry Paye Charity Fun Day, crowds also enjoyed watching the 'Parade of the Pirates' and fishing boat races as well as a variety of other entertainment which included regular performances from the Poole Sea Cadet marching band and the Wareham Whalers, who were singing an array of traditional sea shanties.
James Sydenham said: "Not only have we put on a maritime festival that has provided entertainment for visitors, but it has also been hugely successful in promoting the significant opportunities offered by our marine leisure industry. The event was a great success, encouraging people to take to the water with professionals and see what the industry has to offer."
Keith Lovett received this email from a passenger on his boat Firestarter -
"Hi, we were lucky enough to take a trip on the Firestarter with Keith, Steve and the rest of the crew (sorry can't remember the names). We had a great time and are extremely grateful to Keith and his crew (especially Shandy for the humour & the Geordie guy for involving our son
Jamie in everything (a keen sailor)). Please be kind enough to pass on our thanks. Hope to see you all next year (if not before!)
Kind regards
Bob, Val & Jamie Wilson
P.s please tell them we haven't crossed over to the 'Dark Side'!"
James Sydenham, Ex Chairman of BMF Wessex and General Manager of Salterns Boatyard, crossed the finishing line in 'The 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race' in first place in his class and second overall. James was racing in Lionhead 22, a 36ft Goldfish RIB, which Salterns distributes in the UK. The race is known as the 'Mount Everest' of powerboat races and is the longest and toughest event for powerboat drivers anywhere in the world. It was ultimately a test of endurance with some legs over 200 nautical miles through some extremely difficult seas. It was only a week before the Round Britain Race that James and his Dorset based co-driver Sally Osborn came first in the 'Royal Motor Yacht Club Cancer Research Offshore Powerboat Race' in Poole Bay.
For the Round Britain race, James was racing the 36ft Goldfish RIB with Henrik Sollie and Pal Sollie, designer, constructor and owner of Goldfish boats. James's confidence before the race was just deserved and Tim Powell, Race Chairman, commented on his exceptional navigational skills that saved the team crucial minutes.
Three production Goldfish RIBs were entered into the race with Lionhead finishing in first place in her class in RB3 and the other boat, Sealbay, coming first in RB4 class. James and his crew were leading for the majority of the race but ultimately came in second overall.
James stated "I am overjoyed with the result. We came first in our class and were leading for the majority of the way. Overall we only lost by a small margin and that was to a much larger vessel of nearly twice the size and power".
Due to the marine engineering excellence that has been invested into these amazing 21st century powerboats the Goldfish team managed to complete the 1600 mile race in a staggering 21 hours, 56 minutes and 42 seconds.
The Goldfish RIBS that were purpose built for the race were powered by Yanmar D-Max engines built by Goldfish technology. Goldfish has become a popular choice for those seeking the highest quality in boats being described as "the ultimate tool on water" and Derek Wynams of Motor Boats & Yachting referred to Goldfish as having 'military precision'. The efficiency of fuel consumption and speed was demonstrated in the race and Goldfish justly proved itself as being a manufacturer that produces the fastest most efficient RIBS in the market.
James and Elli, his fiancée who drove round Britain as support crew, will be talking about the race at the Annual General Meeting on 30th September at Parkstone Yacht Club.
Christchurch Harbour Association received a Meritorious Award from Christchurch Council in recognition of 25 years of voluntary service in maintaining safe passage through channels and harbour to the sea. Charlie Rossiter was presented with the award in May. Congratulations to all involved. We also congratulate Rossiter Yachts on their anniversary of 70 years in business. Well done.
Rockley Watersports has extended its commitment to getting people on the water through a new consultancy company, Rockley International. Rockley International has underlined its dedication to developing sailing worldwide by joining the worldwide initiative Connect to Sailing. Connect to Sailing; led by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), aims to expand and develop participation in sailing by attracting newcomers and revitalising grass root participation in the sport. Rockley International is the newest industry partner to join the initiative and will focus on increasing participation in sailing by training individuals from around the world to become qualified instructors in sailing. Peter Gordon, CEO of Rockley International said: Rockley is delighted to be the newest partner in the ISAF's Connect to Sailing project. We have been introducing children and adults to sailing for more than 30 years and we look forward to working with ISAF to promote this exciting initiative. It is vital that people from around the world get the opportunities that sailing at all levels can bring both to individuals, groups and nations as a whole. With our track record in providing top-class sail training and our successful development of the Onboard scheme, which is tasked to introduce 500,000 UK children to sailing over a 10 year period, I feel that Rockley International can provide the expertise and support necessary to make the initiative a success.
IN THE SOUTH IS A SUCCESS!
Now in its second year, the Rockley Watersports' sponsored Parkstone Youth Week was hailed as another successful sailing event, attracting over 200 children to Poole's waters! Children from across the south gathered at Parkstone Yacht Club for the biggest youth sailing event of the year in southern England, with 5 to 18 years olds enjoying a week of competitive and fun water-based activities.
Rockley Watersports' managing director, Peter Gordon said: "Rockley Watersports once again supported Youth Week through sponsorship as we feel it is a very important event to get involved with, helping to promote the importance of outside activities for children."
"This year's event was fantastic, not only did we enjoy some great weather, but all the children involved in the dinghy sailing racing and evening social events thoroughly enjoyed themselves!"
"Youth Week is a great way for children who are members of sailing clubs from across the south to come together, make friends and experience perhaps a slightly more competitive aspect to sailing, as there are many different races and regattas held throughout the week."
"What was even better this year is that the OnBoard Pico fleet was introduced. This is designed so any youngsters can get involved in sailing. They did not have to be a member of a sailing club or own their own boat, they could just get involved in the fun - a great opportunity for all children to be a part of Youth Week."
As outlined in the letter the AGM will be on 30th September. Nominations for the BMF Wessex committee are always welcomed.
Finally, WELL DONE to our wonderful Olympic athletes including of course the sailors. The Spring quarterly dinner will be held at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy on 1st April 2009. Details to follow nearer to the time.
Please send articles for future newsletters to Wessex@britishmarine.co.uk
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