CRUISING MATTERS

he was fo nded in s eci ca y to meet the needs of cr ising sai ors and rovides services information he and advice to tho sands of members wor dwide For more information visit www theca org

Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone is a very emotive site to most south coast boat owners. Following the call for evidence on the draft assessment of marine non-licensable activity by the UK Marine Management Organisation, and its publishing of potential management options for the Studland Bay MCZ, RATS studied the various proposals and considered the situation and activities within the Bay.

We have to accept that control and some restriction within the Bay are inevitable because of the nature and ecology of the seabed and the fact that it has already been designated. The CA can now assist the MMO to provide a reasonable and realistic approach to the controls and restrictions. Any visitor there on a sunny summer weekend will recognise that people are not all responsible cruisers, and we must therefore conclude that some restrictions are necessary to achieve the aims of the designation.

We made a strong safety case to allow the continuation of centuries’ use for anchoring/mooring for shelter for small craft behind Old Harry Rocks. This is the only realistic protected anchorage for winds and swell from the south through west to the WNW over a very long stretch of the South Coast. Boats crossing the Channel from France and coming east along the Channel from the West Country regularly use it to await tides, daylight or to obtain protection from storms. The right to free navigation would be severely affected if anchoring here was banned; it might also constitute a potential risk to life.

We support sensible reorganising of anchoring, mooring and landing zones and the introduction of no anchor zones, as long as reasonable access to anchor and moor remains.

Since the Consultation, the MMO has decided that mooring, powerboating, sailing and snorkelling will not now be restricted, the only issue is anchoring. An Engagement Meeting organised by the MMO and Dorset Coast Forum was organised to discuss this and the Cruising Association attended to put forward its views.

This updated article, by Nigel Robinson, was first published in the March issue of Cruising Magazine

Image: Peta Stuart-Hunt

F What do you do to encourage the social side of sailing?

The CA provides a terrific social hub for cruisers. In normal circumstances we have various events taking place throughout the year including rallies, lectures, seminars, plus our Section events, presentations and parties.

Many of our members also meet via the ‘Find My Friend’ feature on our app, CAptain’s Mate, and regularly meet up for pontoon parties.

During Covid, we have been running regular webinars and online events. With an end to

Covid restrictions in

England planned by 21 June, the CA is cautiously optimistic that its UK rallies planned for July onwards will go ahead.

Falmouth is hosting the Tall Ships Race in August and, to coincide, the CA’s South-West Section is organising a CA Rally to which there has been an overwhelming response with the event selling out within 24 hours, and a waiting list. CA members will be in Falmouth for a reception and dinner at the immensely helpful Royal Cornwall YC on 17 August and will participate in the Parade of Sail on 19 August.

‘Tall Ships in Falmouth’ by Nick Gill

ic i s winning hoto

The winner of the CA’s 2020 Photographic Competition was Nick Gill who, alongside his father Douglas, started one of the world’s most famous yachting clothing brands in the corner of the family’s lace-making factory in Nottingham. Originally called ‘Douglas Gill’, the brand is now worldwide and known simply as ‘Gill’, and is one of the CA’s discount partners.

Nick has long-retired from running the company and now lives near Helford, Cornwall from where he sails his Southerly 435. There is more news on the CA’s participation in August’s Tall Ships festival on this page…

chess of ent tro hy

The Cruising Association’s Duchess of Kent Trophy is presented to any sailor, not necessarily a CA member, who has achieved something exceptional in or around small boats. It has twice been awarded to CA member Jeanne Socrates for her single-handed circumnavigations of the world.

Now it has been awarded to Pip Hare, the 47-year-old from East Anglia, for her successful completion of the Vendée Globe race in her 21-year-old IMOCA Medallia. She was the first British skipper to reach the finish in the 2020-21 race and is only the eighth woman ever to complete the gruelling race. Her upbeat reports throughout the race gained her huge respect and a massive following.

Pip told us: “I am honoured to have been nominated to receive this award and very happily accept it. The Vendée Globe race was not only the fulfi lment of a lifelong ambition but it was the highlight of a lifelong professional career in sailing. I loved every aspect of the race and am so pleased that so many people tuned in to share it with me.

“Sailing is the most incredible sport; it is diverse in a way that not many activities are. I am lucky that I have been able to make a career out of my passion.”

You can watch the highlights of Pip’s race at youtu.be/iKW9lrJuZng.

nd the os goes to

Meanwhile in the much-anticipated annual CA cruising log competition, the winner of the osCA for the best video log of a cruise, sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston, has been announced as Graeme Keating.

Judge Cathy Brown said of Graham’s video: “This YouTube video is made to a highly professional standard, complete with background music, use of varied and imaginative camera angles, elegant transitions between sections and lots of useful information. There is no shortage of interest, with everything from pilotage notes and an internal tour of the boat, to explanations of such technical issues as AIS, wind against tide sea conditions, reefing - and even gin time!”

You can watch the winning video at youtu.be/NI_LdKTAMyg. For more details and the full list of winners visit www. theca.org.uk/ news/2020_log_ comp_winners.