In the summer of 1991, Tony Hackett sat on his Yacht “Bold Lancer” surveying the Cobbs Quay Marina as it was then and he was alarmed at the way it looked! The berths at low tide were full of mud, causing the boats to lie at odd angles and making access difficult for the owners.

Tony discussed the situation with other Berth Holders over a drink in the Yacht Club. By the end of the conversation the Berth Holders Association had been born. The original board members included Tony, Bob Maidment and Eric Hall. The initial purpose of the B.H.A was to represent all the berth holders in a united voice over day to day running of the Cobbs Quay Marina.

The first challenge was to address the dredging of the marina and access channel. The profile of the problem was raised with the help of the boating press and after photographic evidence was published in a Yachting Magazine the marina owners took the necessary action.

At the end of 1993, the second full season, the B.H.A had swelled to 100 members. By the end of 1996 this had jumped to 219, and today over 600 skippers have paid subscription fees.

In 1994 with the majority of the dredging work work completed, The B.H.A established a social side after a successful group cruise. This led to the ever popular “cruising calendar” and “cruising in company”.

Today the objectives of the association are much the same:

2009 Plan

Our ‘business plan’ for 2009 is :-

Association Purpose
            Bring people together to have a better experience cruising from Cobbs Quay and Davis’.

Our Vision
            Enabling members to 'Go Further‘

Key Strategies
            Develop members’ experience of cruising from Cobb’s Quay.
            Continue to enhance communication with members.
            Promote Safety and skills
            Continue to be seen by MDL as a valuable partner.

2009 Activities
            Positively influence the functionality of the second bridge
            Develop a sailing section
            Have a positive impact on the use of the Backwater Channel and the Harbour
            Continue to develop communication with members
            Continue to develop website content and functionality   
            Ensure the web site remains self financing
            Liaise with MDL to give value add to members enhancing our joint working
            Continue to develop the financial input from revenue generating activities
            Use finances prudently to the benefit of all members
            Drive up membership numbers by 50 during the year
            Continue to develop a relationship with Davis’ Boatyard - office and members
            Establish and run at least 3 non cruising events to include social and training activities.

Plans for this year

We again have ambition plans for the year, the core of which is the 2009 Cruise programme.  We have planned an exciting programme visiting Isle of Wight, Solent, Channel Islands and France amongst other places.

We will push further into arranging training with a diesel engine course, First Aid and funded taster event and specifically CQBHA designed ‘new’ boater training with Powerboat Training.  We also will have member resources available for free hire. 

We have a range of land based events planned including Summer Party – most ambitious yet, Fish & Chip Cruise, ABBA tribute night - any more ideas?   We have just had the Boat Jumble – where there was again a CQBHA table.

Key to this year and beyond will be the Twin Sails Bridge.  We will continue to lobby the BoB and try to positively influence the protocols and use of both of the bridges

As ever please contact me if you would like to make any points or discuss anything.

Let’s hope for a great season’s boating.

Jonathan Saunders