Spectacular Sailing Helicopter Footage Compilation!

New parade of sail set for Southampton

Southampton Water will host a parade of sail this spring, with hundreds of craft from kayaks to barges taking to the water to celebrate the first ever Southampton Sailing Week. The action will begin at 11am on Saturday May 27 led by a Svitzer tug shooting plumes of water into the sky. Following close behind will be the larger of the participating vessels, followed by the smaller sail boats and dinghies, followed finally by canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. It is hoped as many as 500 different watercraft including classics will take part and the parade is expected to span the distance from the Itchen Bridge to Hamble. Chris Rees, organiser of Southampton Sailing Week, said: “It’s a hugely ambitious project but one that we know will create a truly iconic moment in Southampton’s history. With the possibility of up to 500 different craft taking to the water on the day, we’re working closely with Southampton’s Harbour Master to ensure it’s planned with meticulous precision.” Adrien Burnand, Head of Marketing at MDL Marinas, said: “Southampton’s inaugural Sailing Week will be a fantastic celebration of the Solent and MDL Marinas is delighted to be sponsoring this event. The city has such a rich maritime history but many people aren’t aware of the variety of opportunities available on the water. This week will provide a fantastic occasion to raise awareness and get people out on the water, which what we’re always trying to encourage as a local marina operator. “The parade of sail will be an unparalleled event for the city and is the first of its kind. Our local marinas taking part include Ocean Village, Shamrock Quay and Hythe Marina Village, and they will make perfect viewing spots for the water carnival. We’ll also be hosting an array of activities to get involved with, from water sports and leisure sailing, to music and BBQs. We can’t wait for the event to commence and welcome visitors, both who are new to sailing and our members.” Councillor Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Leisure at Southampton City Council said: “Southampton and its people have a long and rich history with the sea. It is currently the busiest Port in Europe, though its waters have brought industry, employment and enjoyment to our communities for centuries. “I am really excited to help launch and support Southampton’s much over-due, first ever Sailing Week. I’m confident the planned parade will be a fantastic asset to the great events on offer and will bring all of Southampton’s communities together; from all ages, backgrounds, businesses to schools, so that we can collectively celebrate Southampton’s great maritime history and identity. I cannot wait!” The parade of sail is open for anyone with a sea-worthy vessel to take part in. To register your interest or find out the best vantage points to watch from the shore visit www.southamptonsailingweek.co.uk

Oban set to become Marine Tourism Hub

Gael Force Engineering have been awarded the contract to build Oban’s new transit berthing facility, employing Gareloch Support Services and Oban-based, North West Marine as their main subcontractors. The project will also see the construction of a visitor facility which includes a harbourmaster’s office,berth-thumb.jpg toilets, showers, lockers and a changing area, as well as commercial space for rent. The visitor facility will be built by Mull-based firm TSL Contractors Ltd. The berthing facility, designed by Gael Force will see the creation of 36 finger-berth pontoons and a concrete floating breakwater, providing flexible short-stay capacity for vessels of various sizes. Gael Force will also supply all the mooring requirements. Commenting on the contract, Gael Force Engineering managing director John Offord said, “We’re delighted to be involved in this very exciting and prestigious project. As a sailor who lived in the area for many years I firmly believe the new facilities will be a great asset to the town and will be welcomed by the yachting and wider marine community.” With around 15 ships a year visiting Oban and passengers having to tender ashore, the creation of better facilities will make it easier for people to access the town. The first class visitor facility will cater not only for cruise passengers but other marine traffic such as kayakers, yachts, tour operators and sea-life enthusiasts. With major public sector investment of over £3million in these two projects making it easier for marine visitors to come to Oban, the prediction is that this will bring even more cruise ships in the years to come. The expectation is to increase visitor numbers with an estimated benefit of around £20million to the area over the next 25 years.

This Is Sailing, Landlubbers! Extreme Sailing 2017

Fletcher & Bithell team up: "It's only a matter of time"

Skipper of first female round the world sailing crew reunited with yacht she was forced to sell after 27 years

Nearly thirty years after it steered the first all-female crew around the world’s oceans, one of Britain’s most famous yachts, Maiden, is finally returning home after being rescued from a mouldering shipyard in the Indian Ocean. First captained by decorated yachtswoman Tracy Edwards to a second place finish in the 1989 Whitebread Round the World Yacht Race, the vessel was plucked from the clutches of a scrap merchant after falling into disrepair whilst moored in a small marina in The Seychelles. Edwards, who was forced to sell the yacht due to financial difficulties, first learned of its location after the marina’s owners contacted her to say they were preparing to sell it as scrap. Desperate to save the vessel from ruin, she flew out to Mahe, a small island that forms part of the East African archipelago, where she repurchased it from the Eden Island Marina with the help of the Jordanian royal family - one of the yacht’s original sponsors. Since then, Edwards, who became the first woman to be awarded the Yachtsman of the Year award following the race, has transported the vessel south across the Indian Ocean to Cape Town, South Africa, where it is currently being restored to its former glory. Now raising funds to bring the yacht back to the UK - she was forced to declare bankruptcy in 2005 after her Qatari sponsors failed to honour their funding agreement for a four-year sailing project - Edwards hopes to sail it home to Southampton harbour, where it first set sail 27 years ago. “I’d heard she had been in a poor state, but I wasn’t expecting it to have been that bad,” she said. “There was a real physical pain in my heart when I saw it. I guess it must have been building up because I didn’t think it would have been so emotional. “The boat was the 13th member of our crew and she looked after us and made sure we got home safely - so the bond is immense.” Once back in British waters, the vessel will be chartered for corporate events in order to raise money on behalf of Edwards’ numerous charitable commitments as a woman ambassador for United Nations. It will then complete a world tour in 2018, again captained by Edwards, in order to promote the UN’s Women gender equality programme alongside the charity I Am Girl. “It will help empower young girls so that they can go out and achieve their dreams,” Edwards added. “ My 17-year- old daughter and her generation cannot imagine what it was like back then and I’m glad they can’t because that is a sign of what we’ve achieved. “Maiden is an icon and has proved what women can do. She showed me that we are all able to do much more than we think, providing we just have someone to show us the way.”

Funding granted for disabled sailing club in Ashton Keynes to buy specialist boat

A SAILING club for disabled will be able to give more people the opportunity to get on the water, thanks to a generous £6,000 donation. The funding for the Sailability group at Whitefriars Sailing Club in Ashton Keynes came from the Cirencester Round Table. It will go towards purchasing a specialist Hansa 303 sailing dinghy, which is specifically designed to give extreme stability on the water, making them virtually uncapsizable. This allows for safe, independent use by children and people with a wide range of disabilities. The club currently rent two Hansa boats but this will be the first one they own. David Durston, the club chairman, was paralysed from the shoulders down 17 years ago. He says sailing provides disabled people with an opportunity to stay active and compete in the sporting arena. “Eight years after my accident, I discovered sailing was something I could still do and could compete on level terms with other people,” he said. “So many people are housebound when they’ve got such a severe disability. “What we’re trying to do is teach people how to sail rather than just getting them out for a jolly round the lake. “This boat will let them get out safely by themselves.” Guy Elkins and Simon Franklands from the Cirencester Round Table presented the donation to David and other members of the Sailability team during a social get-together at the Greyhound public house. For more details on disabled sailing, contact David Durston by emailing sailability@whitefriarssc.org or visiting the club's website whitefriarssc.org

Round Britain 2017 Launch

Sailing Flying Fifteen On New Year Day 2017

Close Seascape about 7 months ago Seascape 24 in strong wind

Ardfern Yacht Centre BS

Keep calm and sail into the sunset

Tenby Sailing Club

No sailing took place last weekend; members must have been Christmas shopping instead! Christmas party Around 60 members enjoyed the Christmas party held at the club last Saturday. Many thanks to Terry, Sharon and Ioan for providing the Christmas fare of turkey and brie rolls, with mulled wine to get the evening going. Terry had prepared a Christmas quiz to follow the food and this kept everyone entertained until the music and singalong provided by Max started at around 9.30. Thanks to young Lewis for filling in with his acoustic guitar to give Max a break. The Christmas outfit competition was won by Terry. It was close, but his jumper and lights had the edge! Many thanks to the social committee for organising the event. Forthcoming events Boxing Day: Clubhouse open during and after the swim. Mulled wine, bacon butties.Raffle to be drawn at around 1 pm. Thanks to all donors of prizes. New Year’s Eve: Club will be open from 7 pm to the small hours. Make it your base for going up to the Tudor Square at midnight. Hot food available before and after midnight. January 21, 2017: Sailing meeting 6.30 at the club, followed by curry at 8 pm. January 27: Burns Night at the club, organised by and in support of Save The Children, Tenby branch. Website The club’s website can be found at www.tenbysailingclub.org.uk; the club and details of events going on can be found on Facebook and Twitter. New members welcome. We are a members club run by volunteers who try to involve all members in a variety of activities, both sailing and social. To enquire about joining, call at the clubhouse, contact any member who will be pleased to help, or contact us on line.