Chairman’s Introduction

Summer 2010

 

 

 

 

As I sit here and write this we are having the first decent sunny spell this year.  Unfortunately it is not long since the new members cruise to Hamble had to be called off on safety grounds but another is planned.  Soon we will be off cruising on our longer ‘holiday’ cruises to France and the Channel Islands and the West Country.  Surely this is what our pastime is about?  Sunny days, pleasant passages – and a small sip of something alcoholic!

I guess perhaps the most important point of the moment is the bridge and we now know that a contract has been awarded and there are now clear plans and dates for the build programme.  Construction will begin imminently and you should be aware of that and pay particular attention to Notice to Mariners.  The Poole Council web site will give you some additional information and we will hope to post information as we get it.  It is likely however that we may well have to e mail it to you as it will almost certainly need to be communicated quickly so please make sure you are getting our monthly e-newsletters.  If not check we have your up to date e mail address.

Dave Wilson (Marina Manager) and I are trying to arrange an early meeting with the developers to introduce ourselves as people who are positive and can make a useful contribution to safety on the project.

I wanted to take the chance to mention about one of our key tenets as an Association.  Cruising in company is important for both safety and reassurance and relies on our more experienced members looking after those on their first trips.  Could I ask all of you to have a look around when you are travelling on one of our cruises – or maybe you’ll be asked to help by a cruise leader.  You may need to act as the radar equipped boat if the weather comes in, you may offer to break the water for a smaller boat to follow you or it may be as simple as flotilla discipline to avoid multiple wakes by spreading out and moving about.

Please don’t rush off.  Look around, stay with the cruise and protect or lead where needed.

Thinking about events my mind moves to the Summer Party.  The band – Gav and the Grim notes were so sensational last year they have been asked again.  Support from Sealine Sales and the Hog Roast provided by MDL success was assured.

Safety and planned boating is also at the heart of what we do and we are also addressing this.  A passage plan (a clear SOLAS requirement) and attendance at the pre cruise skippers briefing is now a requirement.  At the briefing there will be lots of people on hand to help with guidance.  By arrangement Power Boat Training UK (PBTUK) will also assist.  We also offer fully funded short courses specially commissioned by CQBHA with PBTUK designed to help those who would like to look things in a little more detail.

On this web site you will find guidance on passage planning, requirements for France, things to think about before going cruising and so much more.  Do take a look to make sure you have everything covered….

Well finally I suppose I should reflect on the rest of the summer.  No promise of ‘BBQ Summers’ this year – so we can expect a better summer than usual.  Here’s hoping for glorious sunshine, no wind (except around yachts), frugal fuel usage (OK, OK yacht owners!!) and safe and happy trips that will stay in the memory long enough to last through the winter to next season.

I wish you all a happy rest of season.  I try and be around the marina as often as I can .  Do please come up and say hello.

Jonathan Saunders
Chair – Cobbs Quay Bertholder’s Association
chairman@cqbha.org

 

 

What's new...

**Important information regarding the build of the new bridge has been added to the Twin Sails Page***

Free training available to members. View the Training page for more details

Work has begun on the second bridge. The latest news has been posted to the Twin Sails page

The minutes from this years AGM can be found here

The Usefull Info page has just been updated with the dates for a range of events scheduled for the Poole area

View the About CQBHA for the association's goals for 2010

The Social Calendar for 2010 has been published. Click here to view

 

 

 

Updated 3rd July