Falmouth Tall Ships 2021

Trust's donation of a boat thrills Llangollen sailor Ellis Richards

A LLANGOLLEN pupil who has dedicated himself to sailing over the past three years has been rewarded with a brand new boat. Ellis Richards, a Year 9 student at Ysgol Dinas Brân, received the shiny new Laser 4.7 sailing boat from John Merrick's Sailing Trust. He has worked hard over the past three years with his hobby of dinghy sailing, now has the feel for racing and competing within the sport. Ellis made an application to the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) asking them to support him in his desire to race. After long days of waiting to find out if he was successful, Ellis received an email of congratulations that he was the JMST 2020 lucky winner of the boat. John Merricks was born on February 16, 1971 in Leicester and went on to become one of the world's top international sailors. John lost his life in Italy more than 20 years ago in a road accident. The John Merricks Sailing Trust has been in operation for 21-years and has helped many young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals. The charitable trust was set up by those closest to John to do some good in his name and further his memory. Ellis said: "Wow! This fantastic opportunity has become surreal, being a winner of Laser 4.7 from the John Merrick Sailing Trust Charity has left me overwhelmed. "I am so lucky, and am excited and intrigued to see what the future will hold for me in the big world of sailing. "This is going to be life changing for me and I am truly grateful, I would like to say a big thank you to every one involved from the JMST and RYA onboard, this is amazing and I can’t wait to be working with you." Ellis now has his sights set on the national competitions 2022.

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New Forest harbour nominated for Marina of the Year

AN award-winning Hampshire marina at the centre of a £2m redevelopment project could sail away with a top award. Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour on the Beaulieu River has been nominated as Marina of the Year in the British Yachting Awards 2020 as work starts on the second stage of the upgrade. More than 30 new berths built during the first phase of the redevelopment have already been filled. The yacht harbour is taking reservations for a further 35 berths that will be available by April 2021 - the marina’s golden anniversary year. They will include berths capable of accommodating vessels of 18 metres and longer. The redevelopment is part of a continuing programme of improvements that has already seen the marina become the Yacht Harbour Association's Coastal Marina of the Year 2018/19. Russell Bowman, managing director of Beaulieu Enterprises, said: “We are thrilled to be nominated for Marina of the Year in the British Yachting Awards. "They are the only sailing awards voted for entirely by sailors themselves, and we’re delighted to have been recognised for our commitment to improving facilities and providing a friendly service that goes above and beyond.” The development, which is designed to future-proof the marina and adapt to the changing nature of modern boating, is being undertaken in two off-season phases to minimise disruption. The facility has already been praised following the completion of phase one, which involved a visitor area, upgraded electrical services and an increase in walk-ashore pontoons. Work was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic but resumed as soon as it was safe to do so. Harbourmaster Wendy Stowe said: “The Beaulieu River is a natural haven and a perfect place to ‘get away from it all’, particularly in such a challenging year. "We’ve been pleased to provide a secure and friendly environment this summer and look forward to sharing our new facilities with visitors when they open next spring.” Marina Projects is overseeing the scheme, with the work being carried out by another Hampshire company, Walcon Marine. Beaulieu Enterprises says it is working with Natural England and the Environment Agency to ensure the protection of the river’s unique habitats and species. The winners of the British Yachting Awards are due to be announced on December 1.

How to use a bursary - a year on

The RYA London and South East Youth Training Fund awards bursaries each year to help young sailors and coaches achieve their goals. Last year’s recipients tell us how the bursary has helped them. James Crossley from Island Barn Reservoir and Datchet Water Sailing Clubs used his award towards additional race coaching. He says: “I was already getting some excellent coaching as a Tier 1 RYA National Junior Squad member and the additional coaching enabled me to further improve my sailing over the winter in preparation for the year's racing.” James completed the Selden Sailjuice Winter Series finishing overall 1st Junior, 1st Topper and 3rd Youth, with the prize giving at the RYA Dinghy Show. When the Topper racing season was cancelled, James moved to youth sailing and the 29er where he made Gold fleet on the GP racing circuit. Mia Gray of Felpham Sailing Club used her bursary to buy new kit to wear for winter training at Emsworth sailing club as part of the Two Harbour Squad, whilst sailing a new RS Tera from the John Merricks Sailing Trust. She helped out at her club as an Assistant Instructor, and having enough kit to keep warm and dry was really helpful while she was sailing and teaching every day. Josie Kelly, also from Felpham Sailing Club, bought a Rooster training sail for her Laser, so that she could train without damaging her class legal one. She says: “This has been very beneficial, allowing me to race with a brand new, crisp sail and still train without having to worry that I may damage my only sail.” The rest of her bursary went towards re-roping her boat and getting new fittings which reduce the time taken to adjust sail settings. Josie says: “I am very grateful for this and it has certainly helped me become a better racer!” Oli Gatton from Crawley Mariners Yacht Club bought a new Topper sail and buoyancy aid, and spent time when he couldn’t sail renovating his boat with his dad. Come September Oli competed in the ITCA Travellers at Datchet, Island Barn Topper Open and British Youth Regional Junior Championships at Datchet, and was extremely pleased to be selected to join the RYA Regional Training Group for Toppers. Oli’s plans for 2020/2021 include sailing for GCSE PE, Regional Training Group camps, Bough Beech Icicle Series and ITCA events. He says: ‘My ultimate goal is to sail at Topper Worlds.” Joanna Leake of Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club (IBRSC) spent her bursary on a new wetsuit, jacket and poly pro clothing, which, she says: “……enabled me to sail comfortably during the winter, including the Bloody Mary at Queen Mary SC in January in really challenging conditions. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to take part again in 2021.” Joanna has joined in all the holiday racings courses run by IBRSC this year. In July she passed the Assistant Instructor Course at the club and spent two weeks assisting with beginners’ sailing courses. She is currently sixth overall in the regional Topper Traveller series and second girl. Joanna says: “As well as sailing in my Topper, I have also raced in a Feva, and have started sailing a Laser 4.7 in training courses at IBRSC. I have been selected for the 2021 Regional Training Group for Toppers and I am looking forward to training and sailing with the squad again. Before sailing restarted, I missed seeing everyone and being on the water, and I have been much more cheerful, healthier and happier since sailing restarted.” Sam and Edwin Cross of Crawley Mariners Yacht Club used the bursary to buy new sails. Pamela Rothwell says: “Edwin and Samson had an amazing year and the bursary boosted their confidence no end. The new sails helped Edwin feel he had an equal chance on the start line and Samson to sail in challenging conditions. They have loved sailing in numerous venues, many of which they were introduced to via the RYA Zone Squad network. “The cherry on the cake was their success at the National Series 1. This was both their first national Topper event, Samson won the 4.2 regatta and Edwin came 5th in the 5.3 fleet.” Ben Sharp of Downs Sailing Club made good progress in the regional RYA Topper Zone Squad and was selected for the Regional Training Group for this year, after RYA and ITCA selection events. He did two Topper Traveller events, and in the last one was mid-fleet overall against sailors from National RYA and National ITCA teams, plus ex-Zone Squad sailors. Ben says: “The bursary helped me buy a new sail which I used in competitions and training. It was helpful because we also had to buy a trailer and other boat parts. Finian Morris of Papercourt Sailing Club used his bursary towards attending the Euromed regatta in Malta in December and the Palamos International Optimist Trophy in Palamos, Spain in early February. He finished 60th of 172 in Euromed and 61st out of 550 in Palamos. During the year Finian outgrew his Optimist and decided to move into the 29er class. Since then he has been getting used to sailing the 29er, practicing with one of his Optimist friends as crew, and doing his first event. Dave Ellis, Chair of the RYA London and South East Youth Training Fund, concludes: "The recipients of awards in 2019 have shown the benefits in a variety of ways of the monies received and how their sailing life has developed despite time on the water being restricted by the pandemic. I hope that those who receive grants in the future continue to grow their sailing talent in similar ways. "

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Fears grow for 1899 Tamar barge during lockdown

The National Trust is hoping to raise £120,000 to save a rare 1899 Tamar sailing barge after major rot was discovered during repairs. The project has stalled since the start of the pandemic and now observers fear for the future of the boat. During the UK’s first lockdown, the lead boatbuilder was put on furlough and volunteers were sent home. A blog updating supporters on the project reports: “Shamrock was left sat in her cradle on the slipway at Cotehele Quay. With the crew’s return in late August, Shamrock was checked out and found to be drying out with her Elm bottom hull planks seams opening up. Her cover had also taken a battering with the after section needing the most attention this has now been covered with a new tarpaulin.” The National Trust – a conservation charity that owns parts of the English countryside and numerous historic buildings – has owned Shamrock since 1974, when the boat was last restored. The trust has kept the boat at Cotehele Quay, on the River Tamar in Cornwall, where she has been open to the public and occasionally sailed. The Trust says: “Time has marched on for the grand old lady and the National Trust hauled Shamrock out of the water nearly two years ago, secured her on a cradle above the tide with every part of her hull accessible, and began a programme of major repairs to ensure her future. “During the work to replace her hull, further problems with rot were uncovered. It is now clear that Shamrock’s false keel and keelson are in urgent need of replacing and current funds for the restoration project are insufficient to cover this. We urgently need to raise £120,000.” The boat is one of only two Tamar barges still sailing and “has been intimately linked with Cornwall and the Tamar Valley for the last 120 years, making her a personality in these parts and an inspiration for many artists, including Rena Gardiner,” the Trust says. A statement of signficance, put together by National Historic Ships UK, says of the boat: “Shamrock was the last Tamar sailing barge ever built and was remarkable for a number of technological innovations, making her arguably the most advanced barge of her kind. Her flat bottom allowed her to trade where there was no quay, remaining upright when beached. “To reduce the natural leeway caused by her shallow hull, she was fitted with two steel plate drop keels, each 5 feet high. Although common in small North American merchant sailing vessels, very few British craft of the time were so equipped. “Shamrock was also rigged with steel-bottle-screws on her mast shrouds, instead of the usual dead eyes and lanyards, to enable her two-man crew to lower her masts more easily when passing under low bridges.” National Historic Ships UK has not been involved in the conservation but has offered advice and support to the National Trust during the project. National Historic Ships UK director Hannah Cunliffe said: “Clearly, it is important to ensure the vessel is stabilised during the extended fundraising phase pending the re-commencement of work and is as secure as possible from the elements during this time to protect the conservation that has already been achieved.” The National Trust said: “It isn’t possible at this current time to say when the Cotehele Shamrock project might resume. Like most charities we’ve been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve therefore had to defer, or in some cases stop, a large proportion of planned projects and campaigns in order to cover essential maintenance costs. We thank everyone for their patience and support during these difficult times.”

Sail Safe with the RYA's 7 Common Senses

Our guidance on safe boating remains unchanged; know your limits, look after yourself, keep in touch and above all, have a plan. If you are planning to head out on the water in the coming weeks, remember to use the RYA’s 7 common senses and sail safe… 1. Is all your equipment seaworthy and suitable? You, your boat, board or personal watercraft and any crew all need to be properly equipped for a safe and enjoyable time on the water. Make sure you are wearing suitable clothing to keep you warm and comfortable. Once you start to get cold your ability to think and function properly will deteriorate. Do you need a buoyancy aid or life jacket? You, and anyone else onboard, should have personal safety equipment that is well maintained and fitted correctly. A common cause of need for rescue is equipment failure. Equipment should be regularly serviced and regularly checked for any wear or damage. 2. Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back Always let a responsible friend or family member know where you’re going, when you’re likely to be back and confirm that you have returned. Consider using the free RYA SafeTrx app to help with this. Depending on the type of boating you do, you might need a way to keep in touch. At the very least, you should carry a mobile phone. A VHF radio is better, but you’ll need an operator’s license to use it legally. If your VHF isn’t DSC capable, you can carry a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) so that your location can be pinpointed quickly in an emergency. 3. Obtain a forecast for the local sailing area To avoid being caught out by changing conditions, always check the forecast in advance. It is also advisable to look at a number of weather sources. If you are sailing at a new location, it is prudent to seek advice from someone with local knowledge. Always have a plan and consider: the local area and your route, the tide and currents, navigation dangers, daylight hours and any other constraints. 4. Are you capable of handling prevailing conditions? Always ensure you are adequately experienced to handle the conditions you are going out in. Identify your limits and those of anyone else you are with. You cannot plan for all eventualities, but being honest with yourself, going out in conditions suitable to your ability and equipment, as well as getting the necessary training will help you be safe and enjoy your boating more. If in doubt, don’t go out. 5. Sail with others Always avoid boating alone. Not only do you learn from your boating buddies, but there will always be someone close by should you need a hand. 6. Avoid strong tides, offshore winds and poor visibility Offshore winds and strong tidal steams shouldn’t be underestimated. Sailors and windsurfers can often be caught out and swept away from the safety of their chosen sailing area. It is essential that you understand the conditions you are going out in and what consequences could occur. Avoid poor visibility, it prevents you from seeing dangers and others from seeing you should you get into difficulty. 7. Consider other water users Many locations can often be busy with other water users. You should respect all others both on and off the water by following local restrictions and speed limits, giving others plenty of space and taking all action necessary to avoid collision or any other type of incident or accident. The 7 common senses are part of the syllabus for the RYA National Sailing and Windsurfing training schemes. For further information about RYA courses and publications to support your boating visit www.rya.org.uk/training or www.rya.org.uk/shop.