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Roof rack ready boats make sailing more accessible, offering simple transport, greater freedom and the opportunity for spontaneous days afloat over the coming months... see page 15
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READER STORY
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Image: RNLI
“MISINFORMATION AND A MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE RNLI”
IN THE NEWS…
“Our mission, and our tasking is to rescue those women, children and men in danger of drowning. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is immediately handed over to the UK’s immigration authorities”
NAUTICAL READS
New books, the Nautical Book Club and win a copy of First Aid On Board PAGE 5 we are completely independent of government, powered by remarkable, kind people and fuelled by the incredible generosity of the public. “When His Majesty’s Coastguard tasks a RNLI lifeboat crew to launch to a vessel or people in distress, whenever and wherever they need us, we will. We will always answer the call, whoever needs our help. It is a legal and moral obligation that our country has, under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and SOLAS, Safety of Life at Sea. “Recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about the RNLI – our purpose, our tasking and particularly our lifesaving work in the Channel. Sadly, as a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in the worst cases, physical abuse. The RNLI’s people represent the very best in our society, they selflessly give up their time to keep others safe. “Yet they and their families are being threatened by those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard. Their action, in contrast, is wholly unacceptable in a civilised society. We will take whatever steps we can, to care for and protect our people and their families. “RNLI lifeboats were tasked by the coastguard and launched 9,058 times in 2025: 109 of those launches were to those in distress in the Channel, representing 1.2 per cent of the RNLI’s total rescue work. Nearly 95
per cent of those who crossed the English Channel in small boats last year, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, were picked up by the UK Border Force. “Our mission and our tasking is to rescue those women, children and men in danger of drowning. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is immediately handed over to the UK’s immigration authorities. “To those who stand for and by the RNLI, thank you. This charity will continue to save lives at sea all around the UK and Ireland – as we always have and always will.” The charity also said, since it revealed its volunteers had been targeted by anti-migrant protesters, that: “We have seen a significant increase in the number of donations we have received this week and we have welcomed a number of new supporters to our charity.” However, they have also “been contacted by a number of supporters and members of the public who have informed us that they wish to withdraw their support.”
Image: White Star Line Hotel
The RNLI has temporarily suspended operations at Portsmouth Lifeboat Station in Eastney after volunteers were subjected to physical and online abuse following protests over migrants being brought ashore after their rescue in the English Channel; in early September two RNLI crews helped bring around 120 people to Eastney in Portsmouth after they were rescued while attempting to cross the Channel. Following the pause in services, the RNLI assured people that: “Search and rescue cover continues to be provided through established contingency arrangements, including flank RNLI stations and other declared assets.” The backlash also spread online, leading Eastney RNLI to take down its Facebook page. Demonstrations took place too, with some protesters labelling RNLI volunteers ‘traitors’ and accusing the charity of operating a ‘collection service’. The protests led the RNLI to review its security procedures with, for example, volunteers were told to consider not wearing RNLI-branded clothing in some circumstances while representing the charity. The Poole Old Lifeboat Museum was also forced to temporarily close amid the wave of anti-migrant protests in the area. although it has now re-opened. The RNLI’s chief executive, Peter Sparkes, said in a statement: “The RNLI is an apolitical organisation;
NEW EXHIBITION A Titanic and White Star Line exhibition is to open in Liverpool PAGE 6
Image: Princess Yachts
TRAD NAV COURSE Tom Cunliffe to lead a new short course at the BBA in Lyme Regis PAGE 8
Image: Ian Roman / America’s Cup
SOUTHAMPTON’S NEW FORMAT TURNAROUND
British Marine has announced a significant new chapter for the Southampton International Boat Show, with an eight-day format, down from 10, and confirmed bookings for 2027 from Fairline, Princess Yachts and Sunseeker. Following a successful event last month, with strong visitor engagement and boat sales reported from the very first hour, the show will return to Mayflower Park from Saturday 18 to Saturday 25 September 2027. Developed in response to exhibitor feedback, the Saturday-to-Saturday format will create a more focused event, retaining three weekend trading days while concentrating visitor
activity and commercial opportunities for exhibitors. UK-based luxury motor yacht brands Fairline, Princess Yachts and Sunseeker have all committed to the 2027 show. Their early confirmation brings renewed energy to the event and reflects a collaborative approach between British Marine and three of the world’s most iconic yacht brands to support this historic and important showcase for the UK marine industry. British Marine has also committed to hosting the show in Mayflower Park for the next three years, providing a strong foundation for future planning, investment and growth. Earle Stanner, CEO of British Marine, owners and operators of
the Southampton International Boat Show, said: “As the 2026 show comes to a close, we are now building on that success with a clear and ambitious plan for its future. Our new format will retain the breadth and quality that the show is known for, bringing together boats and yachts of all sizes, equipment, technology, watersports, demonstrations and on-water experiences. “To have Fairline, Princess Yachts and Sunseeker already confirmed for 2027, together with our long-term agreement for Mayflower Park, gives us the confidence to invest, innovate and continue developing an event that delivers for exhibitors, visitors and the wider marine industry.”
Princess Yachts reported a significant improvement in its financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2025. The Plymouth-based boatbuilder has posted an adjusted EBITDA of £35.9m and an operating profit of £17.6m for 2025. The performance represents a £60.4m turnaround in adjusted EBITDA over a twoyear period, following a loss of £24.5m in 2023. The results reflect the conclusion of Princess Yachts’ transformation programme following its acquisition by KPS Capital Partners in 2023. During 2025, the company maintained a rigorous focus on manufacturing productivity, quality, procurement and supplier relationships, cost control and commercial performance, alongside greater accountability across its manufacturing operations. Importantly, the improvement has been driven by healthier underlying business performance rather than increased production, with gross profit per yacht continuing to improve during 2025 as a result of cost control and operational improvements. Alongside the transformation of its operations, Princess has continued to invest significantly in its future product portfolio. Product development expenditure increased to £12 million in 2025, from £10.9 million in 2024, supporting a rolling five-year product programme targeting three new model launches each year.
ACP COMPLIANCE NYYC’s concerns regarding the ACP’s Deed of Gift compliance PAGE 10
OCEAN VOYAGE
Charity challenge for disabled sailor and adventurer Natasha Lambert PAGE 12
4 PAGES OF MARINA NEWS, LISTINGS AND PROFILES STARTS ON PAGE 33!
ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026 - FOR MORE NEWS GO TO WWW.ALLATSEA.CO.UK
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ALL ABOARD By Jane Hyde
editor@allatsea.co.uk
A
utumn is well and truly here; as the seasonal aisles in the supermarkets like to inform us before we are perhaps really ready to admit that summer is over. October is, of course, the month of pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, spooky costumes and scary tales. It is that last one that we are celebrating in All at Sea this month as Susannah Hart shares some of her favourite nautical haunting tales that will send a shiver down your spine. One of the spooky stories comes from a surprising, but very believable, source. Turn to page 23 if you dare… If you think you can do better, share your ghostly tales with us! Someone with stories from the water of a very different kind is Amelie Ballantyne who returns to All at Sea after a short break to concentrate on exams. Since she last wrote for the paper she has very deservedly been nominated for Yachting Journalists’ Association Young Journalist of the Year 2026, a fantastic achievement - well done Amelie! In her column this month Amelie is exploring why sailing is good for your mental health. If, like Amelie, you enjoy dinghy sailing or are thinking about getting started perhaps towing, and all that it entails, is holding you back. If so, a roof rack ready boat could be just the answer; making sailing more accessible. Over on page 15 Richard Frost, Head of Operations at RS Sailing, shares lots of useful advice for transporting your dinghy safely and
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has some suggestions for boats that fit on a roof rack. This month’s reader story, by Paul Smith, is about a solo circumnavigation around Britain aboard a not so roof rack ready boat - a Beneteau Oceanis 321. You can read all about Paul’s 115 day voyage, completed in August, to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK on page 16, along with donation information. Someone currently planning a charity challenge is Natasha Lambert, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which affects the control of all her muscles and her speech. You may recall, from her previous challenges, that Natasha sails using the Sip-Puff system designed by her father, Gary. This time Natasha is aiming to raise £30,000 for three charities: the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, RNLI and Calvert Lakes. We will catch up with Natasha in the new year, after her voyage, but in the meantime find out more in this month’s news pages (pg12). Of course, there are many of us who enjoy sailing in our local area, or venturing a little further. If this is you and you are looking for a new location to explore this autumn, why not try Langstone Harbour. In an extract from Solent Harbours on page 14, Tim Stickley explains why this fascinating harbour deserves far more attention than it receives. Whether staying local or looking further afield perhaps you are planning to take a course in the coming months. In this issue’s news pages you can read about a new short course being led by Tom Cunliffe at the Boat
CONTENTS
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Building Academy (BBA) in Lyme Regis a Traditional Navigation masterclass equipping sailors with the skills and confidence to find safe passage at sea without any electronic assistance. It is also the time of year when winterising plans are being made; we asked Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics for advice about winterising your standing rigging, running rigging and hydraulic systems (page 28). Whether buying a boat, cruising, carrying out maintenance, or all of the above, I hope you enjoy the issue!
WIN WITH ALL AT SEA Win a copy of First Aid On Board worth £25
ROOF RACK READY ........................ 15 Roof rack transport can remove one of the biggest practical barriers between you and the water.
Paul Smith recounts his solo circumnavigation of Great Britain for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
MOVING ON UP? ............................ 18 The role of YTC and when it may be time to move from YTC to IRC.
DOUGAL ON TOUR ......................... 19 Amid concerns about the future of small-boat sailing, the South Coast’s remarkable summer tells a different story. Youth sailor Amelie Ballantyne explains why sailing is good for your mental health.
ONBOARD WITH BOATSHED ............ 22 Why boat brokerage comes in a giant cardboard box.
SPINE-TINGLING TALES OF THE SEA ... 23 Susannah Hart shares some haunting tales to send a chilling shiver down your spine.
PETS AFLOAT ................................ 24 More of our furry friends on the water.
CRUISING ASSOCIATION ................ 27 The CA rolls out Lobster Pot Campaign materials to help improve safety at sea.
WINTER READY ............................. 28
A brewery takeover at the local taproom fuelled our drinks columnist Susannah Hart’s passion for both ale and maritime heritage.
PUZZLE PAGE ................................ 30 Try your hand at this month’s puzzles.
CHANGING FACE OF MARINAS ........ 33
Another selection of readers’ photos, plus find out how to send in yours.
BOAT SEA FISHING ZONE ................ 26
MARINA GUIDE ..............................34
More fishing news and expert advice, plus the latest Catch of the Month winner.
INTO THE DRINK ............................38
Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics’ guide to looking after your rigging and hydraulics this winter.
Boating has evolved dramatically, from traditional, hands-on ownership to today’s more modern, experience-focused marina culture.
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH ................. 25
The latest news from around the UK’s marinas, along with your regional marina guide.
Editorial Assistants Marianne Rickard Henry Roberts
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Contributors
David Henshall, Neil Chapman Susannah Hart, Paul Smith Jenny Howells, Tim Stickley Amelie Ballantyne
pg5
READER STORY ............................. 16
MIND OVER WATER ........................ 20
Mark Hyde mark@allatsea.co.uk
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LANGSTONE HARBOUR .................. 14
Editor
Jane Hyde 07940 240390 editor@allatsea.co.uk
ALLATSEA.CO.UK
Registered address: Blue Barns Business Park, Old Ipswich Road, Ardleigh, Colchester CO7 7FX The views and opinions of the contributors to this publication are not necessarily those of the Publishers. Accordingly, the Publishers disclaim any responsibility for such views and opinions. Printed in Cambridge by Iliffe Print. All at Sea is copyright and can not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the Publisher. Every care is taken in compiling the contents, but the proprietors assume no responsibility for any effect rising therefrom. Articles submitted for consideration must be the original work of the author and not previously published. Where photographs are included, which are not the property of the contributor, permission to reproduce them must have been obtained from the owner of the copyright. The editor cannot guarantee a personal response to all letters and emails received. All at Sea accepts no liability for products and services offered by third parties. Average recycled content of paper in UK newspapers is 63.2 per cent COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS Closing date: 3/11/26. Postal entries to 13a Thornwood, Colchester, Essex CO4 5LR. Enter online at www.allatsea.co.uk or email editor@allatsea.co.uk. Winners will be notified by email. The winners will be the first correct entry drawn at random after the competition closing date. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Open to residents of the UK aged over 18. No cash or alternatives will be offered. If any prize is lost or damaged during the course of delivery, All at Sea will provide reasonable assistance in seeking to resolve the problem, but it will not always be possible to obtain replacements for lost or damaged goods, and in that event no financial compensation would be payable by All at Sea or their affiliates. We reserve the right to cancel the competition, if circumstances change that are beyond our control. Subject to availability, UK delivery only. By entering you agree to be bound by all the rules and agree that your name and county may be published in the paper if you win. Please indicate on your entry if you do not wish to receive information about other products and services from All at Sea, by post or email.
FOR MORE NEWS GO TO WWW.ALLATSEA.CO.UK - ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
NAUTICAL READS Soviet Cold War Destroyers By Jan Radziemski £45 | Hardback Published by Osprey Publishing Illustrated with hundreds of previously unseen photos, this is the first history in English of the destroyers of the Cold War Soviet Navy, the heart of its surface fleet. Jan Radziemski, a naval historian and an authority on the Soviet Navy, assesses each class’s development and construction, its roles, technology, weaponry, sensors and seakeeping. He draws upon his extensive collection to present over 400 photos, many unpublished, illustrating the careers of all the classes and subclasses, as well as a set of original colour profiles and plans of key destroyers and their modifications. Reeds Nautical Almanac 2027 Perrin Towler and Simon Jollands £54.99 | Published by Reeds, part of Bloomsbury Publishing The trusted annual compendium of navigational data. Known as the Yachtsman’s Bible, Reeds provides all the information required to navigate Atlantic coastal waters around the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and the entire European coastline from the tip of Denmark down to Gibraltar, northern Morocco, the Azores and Madeira. The 2027 edition includes more than 45,000 annual changes, full colour plans of over 700 harbours and more than 7,500 waypoints and a free Marina and Services Guide.
NAUTICAL BOOK CLUB
The Nautical Book Club is a monthly subscription for anyone with a love of books and the sea. Each month, members explore a hand-picked selection across three categories: Sailing Adventures, Maritime History and Sea-Related Reads, bringing together inspiring stories, remarkable journeys and fascinating discoveries. As a member, you vote for the book you would most like to read from any category, and your chosen book is delivered directly to your home. It is a wonderful way to discover new authors, explore the maritime world and always have something nautical waiting on your bookshelf. Every issue we bring you a new selection of books from the club. This October, the Nautical Book Club brings together three captivating reads, each offering a different perspective on the sea through sailing adventure, maritime history and the fascinating world of our oceans. October’s selection reminds us that the ocean has always influenced where we go, how we live and the stories we tell. SAILING ADVENTURES: The Ship By Antonia Honeywell A compelling novel set in a troubled near-future, where a specially prepared ship leaves London carrying a select group of people towards what promises to be safety. But as the voyage unfolds, questions of freedom, trust, survival and the world they have left behind begin to surface.
MARITIME HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHIES: Ocean By John Haywood A journey through thousands of years of maritime history, exploring how humanity’s relationship with the ocean has shaped exploration, trade, warfare, migration and civilisation itself. STORIES OF THE SEA: The Attacking Ocean By Brian Fagan A fascinating exploration of the relationship between humanity and rising seas. Looking across centuries of history, Brian Fagan reveals how changing coastlines, storms and sea levels have repeatedly transformed communities — and what the past might teach us about our future.
READER OFFER All at Sea readers can enjoy 15 per cent off across the Nautical Bookshop with code ALLATSEA15. Monthly Nautical Book Club Subscription: nauticalbookclub.com/product/nauticalbook-club-monthly-subscription
Don’t miss November’s book selection!
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YOU CAN WIN THIS BOOK!
Enter online at www.allatsea.co.uk/competitions
FIRST AID ON BOARD
Nina Olofsson (Author), Par Olofsson (Author), Olle Landsell (Illustrator) | £25 Bloomsbury Publishing This richly illustrated first aid handbook full of practical guidance teaches you how to cope with medical emergencies, confidently deliver first aid and minimise risks when at sea. When cruising on a boat, there are many situations you can find yourself in, from being struck by the mast or rigging to slipping on the wet deck, sometimes weeks away from land and, of course, any medical help. This can be very challenging and requires preparation and self-sufficiency. This is the first aid handbook that you need to have onboard. Written by medical professionals and experienced sailors, it provides expert and uniquely visual guidance on what can be managed on your boat, and when it is time to seek advice or even to arrange an emergency evacuation. The illustrations make the instructions and descriptions easy to follow, which means no confusion and valuable time lost trying to figure out the directions. Packed with vital information for all skippers, this first aid handbook covers a range of different medical conditions, illnesses and accidents, symptoms to look out for and appropriate treatment at sea, as well as the proper safety precautions to put in place on board. Suitable
for both sail and power, a day trip or longer voyage, there are invaluable suggestions on medical and communication equipment all cruisers should take on their travels. For a chance to win this book enter at www.allatsea.co.uk or by email to editor@allatsea.co.uk with the subject header ‘First Aid On Board’ All at Sea Competition.
Q: Is First Aid On Board suitable for both sail and power? Closing date: 3/11/26. See competition T&Cs on page 4.
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Image: White Star Line Hotel
Original Titanic plan
Image: Don McIntyre / GGR2026
TITANIC EXHIBITION LIVERPOOL OPENING
Sir Robin KnoxJohnston gives Canada’s Isa Rosli a final handshake and a few words of encouragement before leaving Les Sables-d’Olonne
GOLDEN GLOBE RACE UNDERWAY
A permanent Titanic and White Star Line exhibition opens in January 2027 at The White Star Line Hotel in Liverpool, the Grade II listed building where the liner was originally conceived and commissioned. It follows the popular exhibition held in January and involves collaboration with organisations and specialists including White Star Memories Ltd, The British Titanic Society, the Titanic Boat Train Heritage Trust and deep-sea explorer Dik Barton. Dik, Director of Operations for RMS Titanic for nine years, has completed 22 dives to the wreck and coordinated the recovery of more than 6,500 artefacts including the famous ‘Big Piece’ (a large section of the Titanic's starboard hull).
The permanent collection features more than 250 Titanic and White Star Line items, including several pieces never shown before. Key exhibits include: ■ Letters and postcards written by passengers during the voyage ■ Original Titanic artefacts direct from the ship, passengers and crew ■ Items from the wreck, including deck wood and hull fragments from the ‘Big Piece’ ■ Dik Barton’s dive suit and deep-sea exploration equipment ■ Video footage of the wreck site and artefact recovery operations. Early bird tickets can be booked online until 31 December 2026: tickets.whitestarlinehotel.co.uk/ events/thewhitestarlinehotel/2389257
Image: INPHO/Down Under Sail/Dan Clohessy
ILCA 7 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sixteen sailors departed in early September for the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race, cheered through the Les Sables d’Olonne harbour channel by thousands of supporters. The final hand each skipper shook before leaving the dock belonged to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, with an encouraging word for every sailor. Ahead lies a circumnavigation in old fashion boats demanding traditional seamanship, physical endurance, psychological fortitude and the ability to keep going through months alone at sea. The final fortnight mixed safety inspections, briefings and last-minute jobs with celebrations and goodbyes. At the Captains’ Dinner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston offered encouragement from an unrivalled perspective: he was the only finisher of the original 1968–69 Sunday Times Golden Globe, aboard Suhaili. This edition also remembers Donald Crowhurst, whose false position reports and tragic disappearance in 1969 remain part of the race’s complex human history. Members of his family travelled to Les Sables-d’Olonne, where his son Simon Crowhurst presented the official commemorative coin to the entrants. The parade of sail brought together the locally built Viking replica Olaf d’Olonne, classic yachts from La Rochelle and Kifanlo, a traditional fishing boat built in Les Sables in 1955. A Class Globe 5.80 represented the recently completed 2025–26 Mini Globe Race, followed by Explorer, the Swan 57 veteran of the 2023–24 Ocean Globe Race, and Bernard Moitessier’s legendary ketch Joshua. Around 25 colourful wooden Olonnois boats added a distinctly local flourish.
The GGR entrants left the marina at two-minute intervals, echoing the individual departures of the 1968 race. Sunshine and cheering crowds made a glorious backdrop, but nobody mistook this for an ordinary Sunday sail. The modern race produced five non-stop finishers from 18 starters in 2018, and three from 16 in 2022; other 2022 finishers completed in the separate Chichester Class. Not long after the 2026 start, Sweden’s Pär Nyman returned to port after losing a critical rigging component overboard before the start and then discovering a rudder problem offshore. The 2018 GGR winner Jean Luc Van den Heede helped secure the required parts and with repairs completed, Pär restarted three days after the rest of the fleet. Ten days into the race, at Lanzarote, France’s Damien Guillou, aboard SOLAREM, discovered he was leading, and Ireland’s Pat Lawless, sailing SILVERMINES HYDRO,
Image: Don McIntyre / GGR2026
▲ Damien Guillou brings down the spinnaker during the Lanzarote film drop. The French skipper reached Marina Rubicón first, before anchoring to complete an unaided masthead repair
THRILLING FINALE
Welshman Micky Beckett secured his third world championship medal with bronze in Dublin Bay, as the British Sailing Team placed three athletes in the top 10 in a standout display of depth at the 2026 ILCA 7 world championships. Micky finished just one point away from his first world title, taking bronze on 48 points. The result adds another world championship medal to his collection, following silver in 2023 and bronze in 2024. Joining Micky in the top 10 were fellow British Sailing Team athletes Elliot Hanson in fifth and Finley Dickinson in ninth. For the second consecutive year, Britain was the only nation to have more than one athlete finish inside the top 10, underlining the strength and depth of the British ILCA 7 squad. Speaking after the podium celebrations, Micky said: “I came here to try and win
my first world championship, and even though I have missed that goal by only one point, I am going to take this result and still be proud of it. This was the hardest week of sailing I have ever done, it was such a mental test and I could easily have finished so much worse than a bronze medal, it now feels like a victory.” Hungary’s Jonatán Vadnai claimed a historic first ILCA 7 world championship title for his nation with 47 points, while double Olympic champion Australia’s Matt Wearn took silver on countback after also finishing on 48 points. Attention will now turn to the 2027 world championships in Fortaleza, Brazil, taking place from 15 - 23 January. The event will also provide the first opportunity for the three British sailors to qualify the nation for LA28 and secure a place for a British athlete in the ILCA 7 class at the Games.
The inaugural The Ocean Race Atlantic from New York to Lorient saw a neckand-neck final battle along the French coast between 11th Hour Racing and United by the Ocean. It was the new DMG Mori Global One that was ahead as the leading boats approached the French coast, but as she sailed into lighter breeze, it was Paul Meilhat and his crew on United by the
was shocked to find himself second, just hours behind the leader. He was convinced all the Rustler 36 yachts would be in front. Both completed their first film-drop rendezvous at Marina Rubicón, Lanzarote, before heading south again, having turned their early escape from the Bay of Biscay into a substantial advantage. At Marina Rubicón, Guy deBoer (USA, 70) carried out repairs, after which a surveyor must approve the boat’s seaworthiness, followed by a 100-mile sea trial before a green card can be issued for him to continue in Chichester Class. Meanwhile Selim Yalcin (Turkey, 65) retired from the race following a radio issue and the resulting growing gap to the rest of the fleet, rather than also continuing in Chichester Class. At the time of writing, Britain's Ertan Beskardes is in fifth place, while Henry Wootton is in ninth. Follow the race: goldengloberace.com/ggr-window-live
Ocean up against Francesca Clapcich and her team on 11th Hour Racing who were left to fight it out. The breeze was starting to falter as the lead changed hands and Britain’s Will Harris, navigator onboard 11th Hour Racing, made it even more interesting by going south of the Glénan Islands, while United by the Ocean and everyone else went north.
Image: Vincent Curutchet | The Ocean Race Atlantic
In the end Paul Meilhat, who won Ocean Race Europe last year in the boat, crossed the line nine minutes ahead of 11th Hour Racing after 7 days, 23 hours, 39 minutes, and 11 seconds. DMG Mori Global One just held off Team Malizia, skippered by Boris Herrmann, who was gaining all the way to the finish line, to take third place, 13 minutes behind 11th Hour Racing and five minutes ahead of Team Malizia. On DMG Mori Global One there was disappointment that the crew - Sam Davies and Nico Lunven, alongside skipper Kojiro Shiraishi and Japanese sailor Arisa Moriya - was not able to complete the win. However this new boat is still bedding in and while she started the race off New York somewhat off the pace, the performance gradually improved as the race went on. As the first four completed the race, the two backmarkers, who benefitted from a weather pattern that enabled them to sail a more direct course to the finish, had some way to go. Oliver Heer’s Embrace the Challenge, which suffered serious mainsail damage early in the race, finished fifth. Conrad Colman’s all-New Zealand crew on MSIG Europe, the only non-foiler in the race, finished in sixth place, with a time of 9 days, 7 hours and 40 minutes.
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CAPE HORN HALL OF FAME
Image: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
TOM CUNLIFFE LEADS BBA’S NEW TRADITIONAL NAVIGATION COURSE Sailor, author, historian and seamanship guru Tom Cunliffe is to lead a new short course at the Boat Building Academy (BBA) in Lyme Regis - a Traditional Navigation masterclass equipping sailors with the skills and confidence to find safe passage at sea without any electronic assistance. During the five-day course, Tom will guide participants in how to use the time-honoured systems of position fixing, course shaping and tidal effects to enable them to reach safe harbour if electronics fail, and drawing on his vast historical knowledge will share how Trad Nav has and continues to serve as a vital link to the centuries of maritime heritage which connect modern seafarers to the wisdom, discipline and craftmanship of traditional sailing. Tom said: “I am thrilled to be offering a Trad Nav course at the BBA. Not only for the chance to share some of these timeless skills with others, but also to return to the BBA - a place which is so committed to one of my other passions – beautiful wooden boats. “Trad Nav was vital during the entirety of my life at sea from 1969 until the mid-
late ‘90s when GPS became realistically available. Trad Nav did everything. “Electronic navigation is now part of everyday life for sailors. But electronics do have the tendency to go ‘Fut!’ when you least expect it. Trad Nav enables you to take out a chart, a paper log and simple instruments tested over hundreds of years to identify where you are, and any possible hazards, so you can plot a course to a safe haven. “For me personally, having the ability to use techniques used by Captain Cook is also a deeply joyous thing, which makes me feel aware not only of my position on the water, but also in the world.” Commander Tim Gedge, who founded the BBA in 1997, agreed with the importance of having a fail-safe in times of emergency: “Having taught yacht navigation from the days before technology began to take over and having seen the consequences for people at sea without the basic skills, I am convinced that a proper understanding of traditional navigation methods is essential.” The Trad Nav course takes place from 16 - 20 November. boatbuildingacademy.com
ASPIRE360 ROUND BRITAIN CHALLENGE Ten young people, aged 14 – 18, will become the crew of a 57ft sailing vessel next spring as they take on a 2,000-mile voyage around the UK. Leaving Fowey, Cornwall on 28 March 2027, the young crew will spend 38 days living and sailing aboard Helen Mary R as part of ASPIRE360, an ambitious Sail Training expedition organised by Cornwall-based Morvargh Sailing Project. The young people will learn to steer, help navigate, handle sails, keep lookout and help plan the passages. They will work in watches through day and night, prepare meals, look after the vessel and gradually take greater responsibility as their skills and confidence develop. The planned route will take Helen Mary R from Cornwall to the Welsh coast, across the Irish Sea to Ireland and the Isle of Man, before continuing to Scotland’s west coast. The crew will explore islands, lochs and remote coastal communities before travelling through the Caledonian Canal
to Inverness. From there, they will begin the long journey south along Britain’s east coast, towards London and the Solent, before turning west for the final passages home to Fowey. For Morvargh Sailing Project, the purpose of ASPIRE360 reaches far beyond completing a circumnavigation. The volunteer-led organisation uses Sail Training to give young people opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, independence, belonging and self-belief through adventure, challenge and real responsibility at sea. Morvargh is committed to making ASPIRE360 accessible to young people regardless of their financial circumstances. The expedition will be heavily subsidised through grants, sponsorship, donations and fundraising, so that families are asked to contribute only a small proportion of the true cost of taking part. www.sailadventure.co.uk/aspire360
Image: IACH
▲ Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, President of the IACH, presenting the Cape Horn Hall of Fame award to Britain's Brian Thompson As the 16 skippers competing in the Golden Globe Race were making their final preparations for the start of their solo round the world race, Les Sables d’Olonne welcomed another group of famous circumnavigators for the annual Cape Horn Hall of Fame awards hosted by the International Association of Cape Horners. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to complete a solo circumnavigation, and Frenchman Jean-Luc Van den Heede, who has 10 Cape Horn roundings to his credit, were joined on stage by Nicolas Chénéchaud, the Mayor of Les Sables d’Olonne. The six inductees to join the 46 names on the board are: Commodore George Anson (from a portrait by Thomas Hudson)
Alexia Barrier, FRA, founded the programme 4myplanet in 2009, becoming the first woman to attempt a solo round-the-world voyage in the name of science. She also launched The Famous Project CIC bringing together an international crew of exceptional women sailors to break the Jules Verne Trophy record aboard the maxitrimaran IDEC SPORT, which they did in January, setting an all-female record of 57 days 21 hours and 20 minutes. Commodore George Anson, GBR (1697 – 1762), joined the Royal Navy at 15 and rose to become First Lord of the Admiralty. As a Commodore, he
led an eight strong squadron of ships around Cape Horn and into the Pacific to harass and capture Spanish treasure galleons. They captured the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Covadonga carrying what is thought to be the largest treasure ever captured at sea; a third of the bullion in the Bank of England today is said to have come from Anson’s voyage. Thomas Coville, FRA, is a veteran of 15 Cape Horn roundings. He capped a remarkable career to date in January by skippering the trimaran Sodebo Ultim 3 to win the Jules Verne Trophy, breaking the outright circumnavigation record that had stood for nine years. Talking about rounding the Horn, Thomas said: “The Rock comes at the end of a lot of effort, energy and emotions; the end of icebergs, strong winds and big winds – it is what I sail for. I cannot imagine what it was like for the seamen on square riggers and fishermen before us. I just have a lot of respect for everyone who has rounded the Horn.” Frenchman Guirec Soudée has twice rowed across the Atlantic, and is best known for his five-year solo north/ south voyage around the world accompanied by his hen Monique. Guirec has been inducted into the Cape Horn Hall of Fame for that voyage and for breaking Jean-Luc Van den Heede’s 22-year record for sailing solo east-west around the globe against the prevailing winds and currents.
Brian Thompson, GBR, is the first British sailor with four non-stop circumnavigations, his earliest aboard Steve Fosset’s American catamaran Cheyenne/ Playstation. A year later, Brian had command of his own winning catamaran in the Oryx Quest round-the-world race. In 2006, he joined the Volvo Ocean Race yacht ABN AMRO I, skippered by Mike Sanderson, as stand-in helm for a southern ocean leg that proved pivotal to the team’s overall race win. Another circumnavigation followed in 2008/9, this time singlehanded when he finished fifth in the Vendée Globe. Brian later joined Loïck Peyron aboard the maximultihull Banque Populaire 5 to win the Jules Verne Trophy. In 2017 Brian was navigator on Turn the Tide on Plastics skippered by Dee Caffari, and rounded the Horn for a fifth time. Paul Cayard, USA, is the current Star class world champion and has competed in multiple Olympic Games and America’s Cups. He has also excelled in ocean racing, notably winning the 1997/8 Whitbread Round The World race as skipper of EF Language. Paul rounded Cape Horn again in the 2002 Volvo Ocean Race aboard the winning yacht Amer Sports One and skippered Black Pearl, an entry in the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race finishing second. Paul rounded Cape Horn one more time aboard the cruising yacht Rosehearty in 2019 enroute to exploring Antarctica.
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SNAPS THIS TIME IN 2022…
We love this cover from 2022, in which we were discussing how technology was evolving fast in the marine world and the benefits it could bring to leisure boaters. We still have not been in a private submarine, but one day… In the news pages it was, like now, the early days of the Golden Globe Race and we reported on a few retirements. Read the latest from this year’s race on page 6. Queen Elizabeth II sadly died in September 2022, and so in October we ran a special commemorative feature. You can find many past issues of All at Sea at www.allatsea. co.uk/all-at-sea-the-paper
SAIL PREMIERE
Premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September, SAIL – directed by Academy Award winners Frank Marshall and Evan Hayes with the support of Skydance Productions and the in-house broadcast team at the America’s Cup – is the definitive real-life documentary of the 37th America’s Cup, held in Barcelona in 2024. The film is the first behind-the-scenes documentary of a contemporary America’s Cup, where the producers were afforded unfettered access to the teams and to key sailors, team principals and support teams.
INCLUSION CHAMPS
A record number of entries are expected for this month’s World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portimão, Portugal. More than 200 athletes from over 40 nations have registered to compete across eight disciplines, making the event one of the most internationally diverse showcases of Para Inclusive Sailing. The Championships bring together sailors with a wide range of disabilities, including Para-classified athletes and those who do not fall under the International Paralympic Committee classification code. Hannah Stodel, World Sailing’s Para World Sailing Manager, said: “This is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of our diverse and capable athletes and a huge step forward in our mission to grow Para Inclusive sailing globally.”
ACP TO BE REVIEWED New York Yacht Club Commodore Clare Harrington announced that the Club has asked the New York Attorney General’s Charities Bureau to examine whether the newly created America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) can be reconciled with the Deed of Gift - the 1887 charitable trust instrument that has governed the America’s Cup since the trophy was first placed in trust in New York. The New York Yacht Club has submitted a request to the Charities Bureau of the Office of the New York State Attorney General, which supervises charitable trusts in the state, to review the newly created ACP in light of the terms of the America’s Cup Deed of Gift (the ‘Deed’). At the heart of the matter is the essence of the competition itself: whether the America’s Cup remains, in the words of the Deed, a “perpetual Challenge Cup for friendly competition between foreign countries”, or whether it can be converted into a centrally managed, commercially controlled regatta run by a standing body of incumbent competitors. The America’s Cup trophy was won by the schooner AMERICA in 1851 and given by Deed of Gift to NYYC in 1857 to be held in trust as an international challenge trophy. Under the Deed of Gift, the club that holds the Cup serves as its trustee, and the terms of each match are agreed cycle by cycle, by mutual consent, between that club, referred to as the Defender, and the first qualifying challenger, referred to as the Challenger of Record.
WORLD CHAMPS
Tamar Steinberg (ISR) and Luuc van Opzeeland (NED) are the 2026 iQFOiL World Champions, claiming the sport’s biggest titles after a fast and decisive Medal Series on the final day of racing in Weymouth and Portland. The top female Brits were Islay Watson in 9th and Emma Wilson in 16th, while in the men’s Finn Hawkins was 12th, Andy Brown 16th and Duncan Monaghan 17th. Read more in this month’s Dougal on Tour on page 19.
SAM’S VICTORY
Sam Goodchild, skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, completed his second victory of the 2026 season winning the Défi Azimut 48 Hours solo race. The MACIF skipper, who won the season-opening 1,000 Race in May, was looking to avenge his defeat by Italian sailor Ambrogio Beccaria in the Vendée Arctique in June, and the two skippers fought a thrilling dual from start to finish in the 48 Hours.
Image: Ian Roman / America’s Cup
NYYC notes that this deliberately narrow, two-party structure – renewed each cycle by whichever clubs then hold and challenge for the Cup – has defined the event for more than a century-and-a-half, and that the Deed has been altered only a handful of times, each time by order of the New York courts. NYYC contends that the ACP – established under the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup and a purported set of related ‘Partnership Agreements’ that have not been made public – departs from that structure in several fundamental respects. NYYC’s principal contentions are: ■ A permanent authority the Deed never contemplated. The ACP is designed to govern the organisation, rules and commercial rights of all future America’s Cups, regardless of which clubs hold or challenge for the Cup. NYYC contends the Deed vests governance in the Defender and Challenger of Record of each cycle and does not authorise any standing body apart from them. ■ A potential barrier to the right to challenge. Under Article 13.1 of the Protocol, a qualified club that declines to join the ACP may have its challenge
rejected absent the unanimous approval of the ACP Board. NYYC contends this subordinates a right the Deed grants freely to any qualifying club to the discretion of a private body made up of existing competitors. ■ Rule-making for matches not yet challenged. NYYC contends that a body purporting to fix the terms of future matches – between clubs not yet identified – displaces the mutualconsent mechanism the Deed requires. ■ Lack of transparency. NYYC contends that a restructuring of this magnitude has proceeded without disclosure of the Partnership Agreements to interested yacht clubs or, so far as the NYYC is aware, to the Attorney General, and without the approval of the New York courts. ■ A potential change in the essential purpose of the trust. NYYC contends that, taken together, these changes would transform the America’s Cup from an open challenge trophy into a periodic, centrally organised regatta – an alteration of the trust’s charitable purpose that, in the Club’s view, cannot be made without modification of the Deed and approval of the New York courts. "The America’s Cup has endured for more than 170 years because the Deed of Gift provides a durable legal framework that cannot simply be reorganised at will,” said Commodore Harrington. “We hold the deepest respect for the competition and for every club that has held the Cup. Precisely because of that respect,
we believe these questions deserve careful review under New York law – so that whatever governance the Cup carries forward rests on a sound legal foundation and preserves the open challenge that makes the Cup what it is.” Commodore Harrington emphasised that the Club’s concerns are directed at the legal structure of the ACP and the process by which it was adopted – not at the sportsmanship of any competitor – and that it is seeking review and clarification of the Deed, in light of the ACP, under New York law. “We are asking the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau to review the trustee’s administration of the trust and to obtain the undisclosed Partnership Agreements for examination,” said Commodore Harrington. The Club has asked the Charities Bureau to consider whether the ACP structure is consistent with the rights and obligations established by the Deed and whether further action or judicial review may be appropriate. STATEMENT FROM RNZYS & RYS LTD AS DEFENDER AND CHALLENGER OF RECORD IN RESPONSE TO NYYC: The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Defender of the America’s Cup represented by Emirates Team New Zealand, and Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, the Challenger of Record represented by GB1, welcome the query by the New York Yacht Club. The NYYC was consulted throughout the development of the ACP and supportive of its formation. Respecting the Deed of Gift was central to this process throughout. Notably, the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup that will be held in Naples in 2027 was established by mutual consent between the Defender and the Challenger of Record under the terms set out within the Deed of Gift.
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PRELIMINARY REGATTA NAPLES
Image: Lloyd Images
The second Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta brought high-speed AC40 racing to the Bay of Naples, offering teams another valuable opportunity to test themselves ahead of the 38th America’s Cup, which will be staged in the Italian city in 2027. Nine boats representing six nations lined up for the regatta, with Britain
fielding two crews: GB1, led by Dylan Fletcher, and Cobham-Ultra GB2, Britain’s Women & Youth team, helmed by Hannah Mills. For GB1, the Naples regatta proved challenging from the outset. Preparations were disrupted before racing began when the team’s AC40 was damaged following an incident involving a Tudor Team Alinghi
chase boat during practice. All sailors onboard GB1’s AC40 and personnel onboard the chase boat were safe, although GB1's Dylan Fletcher sustained a minor facial injury. A day later GB1 returned to the water with a spare foil arm provided by Tudor Team Alinghi while repairs to GB1's own foil arm remained ongoing. Friday’s opening day brought more frustration for the British team. After two abandoned starts because of light winds, the breeze eventually built to around 14–15 knots. Shortly after racing began, the cover plate on GB1’s starboard foil arm ripped away, severely affecting performance, particularly on port tack. Despite the problem, GB1 completed both races, finishing eighth in each. Saturday produced four races in stronger, highly changeable conditions and some of the closest AC40 racing of the event. GB1 showed flashes of improved pace with a third and fourth place finish the highlights of the day. However, the British boat continued to experience technical difficulties, with Dylan Fletcher later revealing problems with the foil board “sucking down”. He described the day as tough and extremely close, while acknowledging GB1 had struggled to find the same consistency as the leading teams. Sunday’s final two fleet races saw GB1 deliver its strongest racing of the regatta, battling at the front of the fleet to secure two fourth-place finishes. Afterwards, Dylan Fletcher stressed that the Naples result needed to be viewed in the wider context of GB1’s campaign. The team had spent relatively little time recently racing its AC40, with
attention instead focused heavily on its AC75 programme. The priority now is building the training days needed ahead of the 38th America’s Cup in Naples. Cobham-Ultra GB2 was crewed by Hannah Mills, Ellie Aldridge, Matt Beck and Sam Webb, and the Women & Youth team made an impressive start to the regatta producing a third place in the opening race, demonstrating that the next generation of British America’s Cup sailors could compete alongside the established teams. As the racing progressed, consistency proved harder to maintain, but GB2 continued to gain invaluable experience of close-quarter AC40 racing. Unable to finish above sixth in their remaining races, they eventually completed the regatta in ninth with 36 points, finishing just behind GB1 in eighth with 42 points. At the front of the fleet, home favourites Luna Rossa 1 gave the Italian spectators plenty to celebrate. A superb final day saw the Italian team win both fleet races before overcoming Emirates Team New Zealand in the winner-takesall match-race final. For Britain, the final standings only told part of the story. GB2 demonstrated the strength and depth emerging from the British Women & Youth programme, while GB1 showed glimpses of its potential despite a weekend disrupted by technical problems. With the Naples Preliminary Regatta completed, attention will turn towards the bigger prize. GB1’s development programme continues as the team works towards getting its new AC75 into action, with every lesson learned in the AC40 helping preparations for the 38th America’s Cup in Naples in 2027.
Image: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
Image: J.Green/EGBR
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SNAPS SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL
Celebrate Cutty Sark’s 157th birthday at its sixth annual Sea Shanty Festival on 22 November. Shanty groups from across the UK will fill the decks of the iconic tea clipper with maritime songs, creating a lively atmosphere of music, history and community. Join in the singing or simply soak up the performances during this unique live music event aboard one of the world’s most famous ships. Plus, on 7 – 8 November Cutty Sark’s resident sea shanty groups Swinging the Lead and The HogEye Men will transform the famous tea clipper’s ‘Tween Deck with the harmonies of sea shanties.
WINNING READERS
Congratulations to August’s competition winners. Janice Dalton, Dundee, Yvonne Sharpe, Dunfermline, Carrie Talbot-Ashby, Bucks, each won an ultra concentrate toiletry range within a men-ü toiletry bag. Audrey Guniava, Isle of Man, won tickets to the Southampton International Boat Show. Mark Pringle, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Alison Ogilvie, Findon, won a copy of Bedside Companion. Find this month’s competition on page 5.
PRIME CONCIERGE
Solent-based boat maintenance specialist, PSA Prime Marine unveiled Prime Concierge at the Southampton International Boat Show. Complementing PSA’s existing maintenance and management services, Prime Concierge provides personalised support for owners and guests, including provisioning, laundry, catering, flowers, skipper and crew provision, refuelling and other lifestyle services. Show visitors also learnt about PSA Prime Marine’s collaboration with Farécla, whose professional marine finishing products were showcased on the stand.
MAYFAIR EXHIBITION
Sanlorenzo Yachts UK will transform its Mayfair showroom into a curated contemporary art gallery from 13 – 16 October, presenting a four-day exhibition - Tomorrow’s Timeless - celebrating the enduring relationship between art, design and craftsmanship. Taking place during Frieze London, one of the capital’s most important weeks for contemporary art, the showroom will be transformed into a boutique gallery presenting works by artists Jeremy Houghton and Jan Erika, alongside iconic photography by Terry O’Neill CBE.
AWARD WINNERS
SEPTEMBER'S TWO SAILGP EVENTS September saw SailGP events take place in both Valencia and Geneva, with the British team missing out on both event finals. Day two of the Spanish Grand Prix in Valencia began with a delay as the forecast breeze failed to arrive. With conditions remaining light, the Race Committee shortened the course and reduced the planned four fleet races to just two, followed by the Event Final. That meant everything came down to a single race for each of the two fleet groups, with the top two teams from each securing their place in the Event Final. Emirates GBR started the day third in Group A, with their sights firmly set
on breaking into the top two. However, despite a second place finish for the British team, Australia were able to secure their place in the final, along with Italy, ahead of Emirates GBR. They joined the Americans and Denmark, from Group B, in the four-boat final in which the United States SailGP Team took an impressive victory. Just a few weeks later the teams were in Geneva for the second Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix. Emirates GBR battled through an unpredictable opening day in Geneva, ending the day on a high with a secondplace finish in their final fleet race after two fourth place finishes.
Emirates GBR endured a frustrating final day at the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix. In the first race of the day the team crossed the line third, behind Canada and Australia. Under the initial Race Management plan for the day, which would have seen just one race for each fleet group before the Event Final, the result would have been enough to secure Emirates GBR a place in the Final. However, with the conditions on Lake Geneva improving, the Race Management opted to run an additional race for each fleet group, giving Emirates GBR another fight to secure qualification. However, after finishing back in sixth, it
was Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos and home team Switzerland who secured the Group B qualification places for the Event Final. In Group A, ROCKWOOL Denmark continued their impressive form with two consecutive race victories, adding to their race win from Saturday to qualify for the Final alongside Los Gallos Spain, who went on to claim victory in the final. The result leaves the British team fifth in the overall Championship standings, six points off third, with just two events remaining in the 2026 season: Dubai (21 - 22 November) and the season finale in Abu Dhabi (28 - 29 November).
Tom Stierle has won RYA Yachtmaster of the Year, recognising his outstanding sailing skill, knowledge and seamanship. Tom, a 56-yearold surgeon from Switzerland, was presented with the award by British yachtsman Mike Golding OBE at the Southampton International Boat Show. Also awarded at the show was the Apprentice of the Year Award, which was given to Jack Hayden, Marina and Boatyard Operative Apprentice at Fambridge Yacht Haven. The award recognises an exceptional apprentice who is making a real difference within their role, business and the wider marine industry. All at Sea will be catching up with Jack in the new year to find out more about his apprenticeship and his future plans.
ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026 - FOR MORE NEWS GO TO WWW.ALLATSEA.CO.UK
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MEMBERSHIP SCHEME
SNAPS PODCAST RETURNS
A podcast lifting the lid on the realities of life at sea is returning in December for a fourth season, promising more stories from the people who work across the maritime industry. Deck Tales, hosted by former cruise ship entertainer and author Sam Catling, explores the experiences that passengers and people on dry land rarely get to hear, from dramatic incidents and onboard emergencies to unusual characters, workplace challenges and the pressures of spending months at sea away from home.
FUEL DONATION
Certas Energy has helped secure the future of the Nith Inshore Rescue lifeboat service with a supply of £2,500 worth of free fuel. The 40-year-old independent lifeboat service based in Glencaple, near Dumfries, feared for its future after a filling station withdrew a previous free fuel agreement. Stealth Competitions also provided £2,500 worth of fuel to support the service, which relies entirely on community fundraising, volunteers and donations to cover its callouts.
PENGUIN ACQUIRED
Ancasta Group has acquired Hayling Island-based Penguin Engineering, further strengthening its growing portfolio of specialist marine businesses and expanding its refit, repair and aftersales capabilities. Penguin Engineering will retain its established name as it becomes part of the Ancasta Group of companies, ensuring continuity for its existing customers, suppliers and partners while benefiting from the wider resources and expertise of the Group.
CLUB WINNERS
Sunsail announced Paignton Sailing Club as the winner of its 2026 ‘Funding the Future’ initiative, awarding the club a £6,000 grant during the Southampton International Boat Show. The initiative drives funding directly to local sailing clubs, helping to elevate grassroots participation. Priory Sailing Club and Stewartby Sailing Club were awarded the runners-up prizes, receiving £2,000 each.
NEW CHARITY CHALLENGE FOR NATASHA Isle of Wight-based disabled sailor and adventurer, Natasha Lambert BEM, has set her sights on another ocean voyage and plans to cross the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to Grenada in November, raising money for charity. Born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which affects the control of all her muscles and her speech, Natasha sails using the Sip-Puff system designed by her father, Gary, allowing her to control the boat through her breath. In 2020, Natasha completed one transatlantic sailing endeavour, but it was marred by Covid restrictions. Then a planned crossing in November 2025 was postponed at the last minute when Natasha’s mother, Amanda, fell seriously ill. Tragically, Amanda lost her battle with cancer suddenly in February 2026, but it was one of her final wishes that her two daughters and husband continue exploring and showing the world just what is possible. In her latest challenge, Natasha will be skippering a crew of six – including
her father, Gary, and sister, Rachel – aboard her 46ft Nautitech catamaran, Blown Away. The expedition crew will depart Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, as part of an organised rally and sail 850nm to São Vicente, Cape Verde. They will take time to explore the island, as well as restock provisions, before heading out for the 2,150nm sail to the Caribbean. But that is not all, as Natasha explained: “The Atlantic is just the beginning. Once we get to the Caribbean, I will be able to head towards the Pacific, which is very exciting!” Natasha is aiming to raise £30,000 for three charities: the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, RNLI and Calvert Lakes. Natasha’s exceptional determination to show the world what is possible is an inspiration to all. Her motto is to never let anything stop her and to always strive for more. To donate to Natasha’s Just Giving page visit: www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/atlantic-challenge-2026
Image: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
Sea Equity, a boat membership scheme based in Hamble, has launched offering boaters a simpler and more adaptable way to enjoy sailing without the cost or commitment of ownership. Positioned in the heart of the Solent at Hamble Point Marina, Sea Equity provides access to a professionally maintained fleet of sailing yachts, ready for Solent cruising, coastal exploration and weekend adventures. Sea Equity’s model centres on clarity and ease. Members can choose from three options, each tailored to different budgets and boating ambitions. Every
tier includes transparent booking rules and priority access windows. “Sea Equity is about removing barriers,” said Nikki Walker, director of Sea Equity. “People want to get out on the water, but they do not want the stress, cost or maintenance that often comes with ownership. We have built a scheme that gives them freedom, flexibility and beautifully kept boats, without any hassle.” As reflected in the company’s logo, Sea Equity is dog friendly; members are welcome to bring their four legged family members aboard too. seaequity.uk
ANCHOR MONITORING SYSTEMS
TOGETHER ON WATER Image: Martin Allen Photography
SUNSEEKER EUROPE
Sunseeker International has acquired the business and assets of its former UK and European distributors Sunseeker London and Sunseeker Poole through a prepackaged administration sale. The operations will now be incorporated into the newly established Sunseeker Europe division. Over the past year, Sunseeker International has undergone changes to its ownership structure, with the company confirming in April that existing lenders Cheyne Capital and Cross Ocean Partners would retain ownership after KCP, in partnership with Lionheart Capital, was unable to complete its proposed acquisition within the required timeframe.
The RYA and British Sailing have unveiled the refreshed Together on Water strategy, setting out an ambitious ten-year vision to connect more people than ever before with the water and the benefits it brings. Building on the foundations of the strategy first launched in 2023, the refresh outlines a clear plan of action designed to grow participation, strengthen communities and safeguard the waters that inspire millions across the UK. At the heart of the strategy is: ■ Double active participation in waterbased activities over the next decade.
■ Enable 10 million people to experience a meaningful connection to blue spaces. ■ Create more opportunities for people from all backgrounds to get on the water and feel they belong. In order to achieve these ambitions, the strategy is built around four crosscutting priorities: 1. More People, More Often – Growing participation and helping people develop lifelong connections with the water. 2. More Backgrounds – Opening opportunities and creating a welcoming community where everyone feels they belong. 3. Better Blue Spaces – Protecting and enhancing the waters that connect us all. 4. Brilliant Basics – Providing the strong foundations, systems and support that enable everything the RYA does. Through Together on Water, the RYA will continue to support and empower the people who make activity possible, working with the network of clubs, training centres, volunteers, partners and communities. Areas of work include creating opportunities through volunteering, leadership and careers, supporting under-represented groups and building programmes that connect people Image: Artemis SailGP where they live.
A new policy provision recognises professionally installed continuous anchor monitoring systems, including AnchorGuardian. Pantaenius has reduced the deductible by 50 per cent on claims for collision, stranding or grounding where the loss results from an anchor slipping or coming loose from the seabed. This provision only applies where the yacht had a technically functional anchor monitoring system in place at the time of the incident, installed by a specialist company, continuously monitoring GPS data and, at a minimum, movement data from a sensor attached to the anchor or its chain. The change is a practical example of how professionally installed loss prevention technology can be reflected directly in yacht insurance terms. It recognises the additional visibility that continuous monitoring can give captains and crew during one of the most routine, but potentially consequential, operations onboard.
“Anchoring decisions are made onboard and good seamanship remains fundamental. However, where technology gives crews clearer information and earlier warning, we believe it is right to recognise that within the policy wording,” said Phillip Harstrick, Head of Underwriting at Pantaenius. “This provision reflects Pantaenius’ practical approach to loss prevention. It supports captains and crews with technology that can help them see risk developing and act before an incident escalates, while keeping professional judgement and a proper anchor watch central.” The 50 per cent reduction applies to the deductible stated in the policy schedule for the defined categories of claim only. It is a deductible reduction, not a premium discount. Questions about scope, eligibility or individual policy wording should be directed to Pantaenius. The change does not replace the responsibilities of the captain, crew or owner or established anchor watch procedures. Safe anchoring continues to depend on preparation, professional judgement and vigilance.
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25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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Langstone Harbour
B
ound by Portsea Island to the west and Hayling Island to the east, Langstone Harbour is often overshadowed by its better-known neighbours. Yet for those willing to time their visit carefully and embrace its unique character, it offers remarkable wildlife, dramatic tidal scenery and a peaceful escape from the bustle of the central Solent. In this exclusive edited extract from Solent Harbours by Tim Stickley, published by Imray, the author explains why this fascinating harbour deserves far more attention than it receives.
Some describe this harbour as bleak or inhospitable. Whilst there is an element of truth to both, to avoid visiting would mean missing out on the countless seals, wading birds and other wildlife. It would mean not appreciating the phenomenal tidal flow in the harbour entrance, and it would mean forgoing the opportunity to experience a unique brand of stark tranquillity. By all means, don’t visit when looking for a sheltered spot in a blow, or when looking for an easy anchorage or a range of high-class restaurants for dinner - you won’t find any of that here - but if you just want to get away from everything for a night or two, read a book and take some time for yourself, this harbour ticks exactly those kinds of boxes.
APPROACH AND ENTRY
From the west avoid the Roway Wreck marked with an isolated danger mark on your approach. If using the small boat passage through the submarine barrier, be careful of shallow water between the passage and the entrance to Langstone. Continue from the south passage past the Eastney barracks, a low lying set of accommodation designed for the Royal Marines, distinguishable by its very obvious institutional design - it looks like an old hospital or 4-storey factory. Continue on a course of approximately 70° until you reach deep water and then turn north-northwest into the harbour entrance. For a more accurate approach, when the Langstone fairway marker (post) bears 174° on a back-bearing, turn onto a course of 352° to shape up for the entrance in the deepest water. Proceed through the narrowest part and continue on the Southsea Marina aerial view
The Solent’s overlooked sanctuary
Aerial view of the approach to Southsea Marina same course through the wide fairway with scattered moorings either side. From the east, the main navigational hazard is the East Winner bank. Fortunately, this is marked by the Winner south cardinal mark - depending on your draught, pass close to, or to the south of this mark, then steer north northwest to Langstone Fairway buoy and thereafter beyond, on a course of approximately 352° to reach the middle of the gap. Due to the strong tides in the entrance, entry is not recommended during ebbing spring tides. Entry should not be attempted during an outgoing tide combined with a strong southerly or southeasterly wind.
ANCHORING, MOORING AND BERTHING
Southsea Marina can be found just inside the harbour entrance on the western side. The approach channel starts just after the Eastney Landing jetty and is identified by a lit port lateral mark (Fl.R) with a 5 knot speed limit sign. The channel is dredged to 0.5 metres below chart datum, but the mud can shift slightly. At the marina entrance is a tidal sill gate, with access for about six hours in each tidal cycle, depending on your boat’s draught. A waiting pontoon is available on the western side of the marina entrance.
Langstone Harbour entrance Langstone Channel is relatively wide, but freighters do use the channel to get up to the industrial Bedhampton Wharf, so anchoring to the north of the first stretch, northwest of Sinah starboard lateral mark is the best spot with the most space. The holding is good but the tidal flow is strong, so make sure your anchor is well set in the mud. In the height of summer (1st April - 31st October) you may have your peace disturbed slightly by the water ski area just to the south in the main channel; the Water Skiing Association has an exemption from the 10kn speed limit whilst towing skiers. Sinah Lake has a few spare moorings that could be briefly picked up, and some of these have bridles, but if they happen to be caught around the mooring chain
itself, the tidal flow will mean you have little chance of untangling it. Beyond the main mooring field (pass straight through the middle), is a green lateral mark - do not cut the corner as this is positioned on the edge of a mud bank. Beyond this, there are another handful of moorings just to the east, and enough space to anchor with good holding in mud.
LOCAL INFORMATION
The harbour is an anomaly in the Solent, in that it is a large harbour, easily accessible from Southampton, Portsmouth and Chichester, yet very few people seem to want to visit. Bound to the west by Portsea Island, and to the east by Hayling Island, this delightful soggy patch of mud interspersed with deep channels is an
SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), which is all too evident when visiting. Seals litter the waterline and heave themselves into the water for a swim to investigate seldom-seen passing boats. Redshanks, godwits, dunlin, terns and absolutely loads of Brent geese sweep across the horizon and the water. Every static object in the water is covered with brightly coloured seaweeds, sponges and sea squirts - due to the high nutrient flow in the harbour. There is a reason the wildlife is so prevalent in the harbour, and this is largely because of the lack of human activity. No, there aren’t lots of visitor pontoons and moorings. There isn’t a fantastic anchorage, or perfect shelter from the elements. However, catch it at the right time, in calm weather and a neap tide, and you may find a little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of other harbours (excepting the, admittedly friendly and well equipped, Southsea Marina) with its own personality and charm. The Hayling Billy Trail follows the route of the former Hayling Billy Railway, which ran from Havant on the mainland to the south of Hayling Island. The linear trail offers a lovely walk along the eastern side of the harbour from the north of Hayling Island to West Town in the south and is a great way to stretch one’s legs whilst drinking in the views and wildlife. It should be noted that the tidal flow in this harbour reaches unthinkable speeds so care must be taken at all times when navigating, and rowing dinghies must only be used at slackwater unless you wish to find yourself on the other side of (or indeed, outside) the harbour very quickly. Indeed, the author’s pull cord for the outboard snapped on one visit and he was very grateful for a pair of oars to simply manoeuvre into safer water - there would be no rowing against it. Swimming is discouraged, but allowed outside the main channels. ■ This is an edited extract from Solent Harbours by Tim Stickley, published by Imray. The full guide covers harbours, marinas, anchorages and cruising destinations across the Solent, combining practical pilotage with local knowledge to help sailors make the most of one of the UK’s most rewarding cruising grounds. Solent Harbours is available to buy at www.imray.com and all good retailers.
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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ROOF RACK READY RS Sailing’s top tips for transporting your dinghy safely.
I
f getting your boat on the road takes just a few minutes - rather than trailer prep and towing confidence - sailing becomes much easier to fit into everyday life. A quick evening sail after work. A spontaneous weekend at another club. That is why roof rack ready boats play such an important role in making sailing more accessible. Richard Frost, Head of Operations at RS Sailing, explains: “A boat that fits safely on a roof rack gives you more freedom; whether that is storing it at home, heading to your local club after work or travelling further afield for an event. If loading up feels simple, sailing becomes more accessible.” For many sailors – particularly those starting out – roof rack transport removes a major barrier, without immediately investing in extra equipment that can feel daunting. “A trailer can feel like a big extra step when you are new to sailing,” Richard adds. “Roof rack transport often gives people the confidence to get started because it feels more manageable.” Here we share some of RS Sailing’s top tips* for transporting your boat by roof rack.
FINAL CHECKS ONCE THE BOAT IS LOADED
Once the dinghy is on the roof, do not rush to leave straight away.
Images: RS Sailing
Transport cover is often overlooked. Some insurance policies focus mainly on on-water incidents, which means transit damage may not automatically be included. Richard recommends a quick pre-trip habit: “Take a few photos before you leave. It takes seconds, but if anything happens during transport, having a clear record can really help.” A few simple checks: n Photograph your dinghy before travel n Keep insurance details easy to access during the journey
DE-RIG PROPERLY BEFORE LOADING
A tidy boat is a safer boat to move. Even small items can shift and cause damage surprisingly quickly.
Complete a final check: n All straps feel secure n Contact points are protected n Spars and foils are safely inside the vehicle or tied securely alongside the hull And one final habit Richard strongly recommends: “Stop after the first few miles driving and check strap tension again. Everything settles once you are moving.”
EXTRA PROTECTION ON THE ROAD
Before the boat even leaves the ground, it is important to start with the basics. “Always begin with your vehicle, not the boat,” says Richard. “Make sure your roof bars and roof load limits are suitable before anything goes up there.” n Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s roof transport guidance n Check your dynamic roof load limit carefully n Use roof bars rated for the total load not just the weight of the boat n Your roof bars should ideally exceed the width of the boat n Be mindful of your overall vehicle height and any overhang once loaded
CHECK YOUR INSURANCE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Securing the boat correctly is essential. Ratchet straps are the best option, but they need to be used carefully. “Tight enough to secure the hull, but not so tight that you create pressure points,” Richard explains. “Padding under the straps makes a real difference.” Best practice: n Use quality ratchet or cam straps (beware of stretchy staps!) n Add protective foam or padding where straps contact the hull n Avoid overtightening n Add bow and stern tie-downs for extra stability n A twist in the straps will stop vibrations at speed
BEFORE YOU LOAD: START WITH SAFETY
Richard recommends using car.info to find your dynamic roof load limit: n Visit www.car.info and enter your car into the search bar, select the model n Select the correct year for your car and select the engine size n When the specs appear, click ‘more’ n Find the ‘Weight’ section and look for ‘Max roof load’ - “this is the dynamic roof load limit”
USE PROPER STRAPS AND PADDING
A fitted cover helps protect your boat throughout the journey, particularly on longer drives. A proper cover helps shield against rain, road dirt and debris and UV exposure. “It also means less cleaning when you arrive,” Richard adds. “Which nobody complains about!” For sailors without a tow bar, roof rack transport can remove one of the biggest practical barriers between you and the water. Several boats in the RS Sailing range can fit on a roof rack: RS Tera, RS Aero, RS CAT12, RS Zest and RS Feva. ■ *These are intended as general advice only, not legal guidance. For full UK requirements, always check Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) guidance and The Highway Code before travelling.
Before lifting: n Remove or secure loose gear n Pack as much in your car as you can – foils, sails etc... n Tie down anything that could shift in transit n Drain water to reduce weight Richard says: “A lighter boat is always easier to control during loading - and much kinder on both the hull and the people lifting it!”
LIFT CAREFULLY AND DO NOT RUSH IT
Even lightweight dinghies, such as the RS Tera or RS Aero, need proper handling. “People often underestimate awkward lifts,” Richard says. “Take a moment, plan it properly and make sure everyone involved knows where they are holding and where the boat is going.” Before lifting: n Assess the lift first n Make sure you have enough people helping n Lift evenly and communicate clearly It is important to know your lifting limits. Everyone is different, so take care with due diligence to avoid any accidental slips.
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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A SAIL FOR HOPE
115 days solo, over 2,000 nautical miles, one purpose. READER STORY Paul Smith recounts his solo circumnavigation of There is now one final hurdle to complete wrong, there is nobody to look at and say, Great Britain for Alzheimer’s Research UK. this mission: to reach my fundraising target “What do you think?” You already know who of £15,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK (the amount it costs to train a PhD student for one year in order to develop the requisite skills they will need to support the research team).
Anticlockwise from Lymington
Day 1 of Paul’s solo circumnavigation
T
here are probably easier ways to raise money for charity than spending 115 days sailing single-handed around Britain. But, looking back, I am not sure any of them would have given me quite the same experience. On 11 April 2026 I slipped my lines at Lymington Yacht Haven aboard my 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 321, Zēteō, to begin a solo circumnavigation of Britain. Ahead lay more than 2,000 nautical miles of coastline, some of the most challenging tidal waters around these islands, long days alone at sea, numerous unfamiliar harbours and, inevitably, a few occasions when I wondered precisely why I had thought this was such a good idea. The purpose behind it, however, was much more important than the sailing - I was raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Why Alzheimer’s Research?
Throughout my professional life as a Charted Financial Planner, I had spent years helping people prepare financially for retirement as well as encouraging them to create a detailed plan of all the meaningful activities they wished to undertake in retirement. However, what I began to witness was something far more sobering: clients reaching the retirement they had worked and planned hard for over many years – sometimes decades – only for those plans to be devastated and ‘stolen’ from them by a diagnosis of dementia. The financial consequences can be enormous, but they are almost secondary to what the disease does to the person and to the people around them. Watching somebody you love gradually disappear, day by day, piece by piece, while still physically being there is extraordinarily cruel.
When I retired I wanted to do something difficult enough that people might notice – and, hopefully, be persuaded to put their hands in their pockets to help find a cure. That was the motivation behind the voyage. My original fundraising ambitions were considerably more modest than where the campaign eventually took me. By the time I completed the circumnavigation, the generosity of former clients, friends, family, fellow sailors, complete strangers and people following the voyage online had taken the fundraising total (including Gift Aid) beyond £12,500. Paul’s 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 321, Zēteō
Repairing wind instruments in Shetland
“There were moments of apprehension and moments of enormous satisfaction. But perhaps the word I keep returning to is therapeutic. At sea, life becomes immediate”
Sailing in Scotland
There is something very different about arriving somewhere by sea. A headland that is simply a name on a road map becomes enormously significant when you have spent hours working your way towards it and ultimately around it. Scotland provided some of the most spectacular moments of the entire voyage. As Zēteō worked her way north, the coastline became wilder and the distances between comfortable stopping places more significant. Eventually came the Orkney Islands, then on to a fog bound Shetland with no wind instruments working, before coming back via Stronsay and Stromness, followed by one of the passages I had thought about long before leaving home: heading out through Hoy Sound, across Scotland’s exposed northern waters and towards Loch Eriboll. Then came Cape Wrath. Even its name sounds as though it was invented specifically to make sailors reconsider their life choices. For a single-handed yachtsman in a 32ft cruising boat, rounding the north-western corner of mainland Britain was one of those occasions when preparation, weather and tide all had to come together. It was also a milestone, I was no longer sailing north, I had turned the corner. The north west coast of Scotland brought a different Britain altogether. The scenery was magnificent, often remote and occasionally intimidating. Long passages alternated with extraordinary anchorages and harbours. There were days when sailing alone felt like the greatest privilege imaginable: Zēteō moving through beautiful empty water, the coastline unfolding ahead and the satisfaction of knowing that every mile was taking me further around this beautiful country under my own steam. There were other days when singlehanded sailing felt rather less romantic. Fatigue accumulates. A small problem on a crewed boat can become a significant problem when you are alone. Something as mundane as needing to go below becomes a tactical decision when the boat is moving quickly in awkward conditions. And the sea has an excellent habit of exposing any complacency. One of the lessons of the voyage was that single-handed sailing is not necessarily about being brave - it is about All images: Andrew Peters
After many a night through the winter months of plotting and planning my circumnavigation, the plans were consigned to the bin on the very first day! A planned first leg from Lymington to Brighton was dramatically curtailed by impending 40kt winds and 3m seas following a very foggy early morning departure – so Gosport became the first port of call. I chose to sail anticlockwise, from my home port of Lymington, and so the first passages took me east along the South Coast, through the Dover Strait and into the North Sea. Almost immediately, the voyage became an education in just how different single-handed coastal sailing is from an ordinary weekend cruise. When you are alone, everything is your responsibility: navigation, pilotage, sails, engine, weather, tides, cooking, communications and maintenance all belong to the same department – you. There is nobody coming on watch in four hours, in fact when conditions were too much for my autopilot there was no-one to take the helm even for a few minutes (this can make life uncomfortable for those of us with an enlarged prostate). There is nobody down below making tea and when something goes
has to sort it out. From Dover I continued north through the waters of the Thames Estuary in pea soup foggy conditions and up the east coast, calling at places including Shotley, Lowestoft, Grimsby, Whitby and North Shields before continuing towards Scotland. These waters provided an early reminder that a circumnavigation of Britain is not simply a matter of following the coastline. The journey is punctuated by tidal gates. Get them right and the sea helps you, get them badly wrong and several knots of tide can turn a straightforward passage into a very long day indeed. Flamborough Head, the waters off the north-east coast, Rattray Head, the Pentland Firth and Cape Wrath were among the names that occupied an increasingly large part of my passage planning. And then, of course, there was the weather. The further north I went, the bigger it became.
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026 trying not to create situations in which bravery becomes necessary. Reef early, plan ahead, keep things simple, know where you can stop. Understand the tide, look after the boat. And, perhaps most importantly, know when not to go – you have zero chance of beating mother nature!
Leaving Scotland behind
The voyage eventually carried me across to Northern Ireland and then onwards down the east coast of Ireland. Places such as Ballycastle and a trip by bus to visit Giant’s Causeway, followed by challenging passages down Ireland’s east coast gave me some of the most memorable experiences of the circumnavigation and were followed by a coastline that again demonstrated why sailing around these islands can never become monotonous. By this stage, something else had happened too. What had begun as my voyage was no longer entirely mine. People were following Zēteō’s progress. Through YouTube and Facebook, friends, sailors and people I had never met were travelling around the coast with me. Messages would arrive from people wanting to know where I was going next, some offered suggestions of where to visit (there were so many places to see), some offered encouragement and others simply donated. Occasionally people appeared in harbours having followed the voyage online. That support mattered far more than I had expected. Single-handed does not necessarily mean alone.
Homeward bound
Eventually Ireland gave way to the beautiful sun-drenched Isles of Scilly which marked a dramatic change in the weather. Prior to this, whilst much of the UK was basking in 30°C I was still wearing multiple layers
of clothing and the suntan lotion had not been opened. Following my 24.5 hour passage from Kilmore Quay in Ireland to the Isles of Scilly, Tresco represented familiar ground for me and meant Zēteō had completed her own circumnavigation following a trip to the Scillies the previous year. So just the ‘solo bit’ to complete then! Finally back to familiar harbours and anchorages for the first time in months as I worked my way back home along the south-west coast - this in itself, though, was a double edged sword – the danger of complacency was now very real. I had to remind myself I still had to navigate past the Lizard, followed by Portland Bill and time The Needles channel correctly to avoid embarrassment. Each was another waypoint crossed off the chart and another step towards home. But there was a strange contradiction as Lymington grew closer. For months the objective had been to complete the circumnavigation. Now that completion was within reach, part of me did not want it to end. Life aboard had developed its own rhythm. Wake, check the weather, check the sea state, recheck tidal constraints, check the weather again, make a decision, prepare the boat, sail, navigate, arrive, secure Zēteō, eat, sleep, do it again. The world had become wonderfully simple. There were difficult moments, certainly. There were uncomfortable seas, demanding passages, unreliable winds, fatigue, but giving up never crossed my mind, not once - the cause was too important. But there were also moments of extraordinary satisfaction: sunrises at sea, dolphins, making landfall after a long passage, entering an unfamiliar harbour safely, rounding another major headland,
Subscribe to All at Sea’s newsletter: www.allatsea.co.uk/aasnewsletter 17 the satisfaction of completing a solo night passage, meeting strangers who immediately became friends because we shared an interest in boats and the sea and the simple pleasure of looking astern and knowing that the little boat beneath my feet had carried me all that way. However, the greatest of all was meeting the generous folks who contributed to the charity and shared the hope we can find a cure to Alzheimer’s sooner rather than later.
115 days later
When Zēteō finally returned to Lymington, 115 days had passed since we had left. More than 2,000 nautical miles had slipped beneath her keel, Britain and Ireland were behind us, I had completed my solo circumnavigation. People have subsequently asked me how I found spending so long sailing singlehanded and I still find that surprisingly difficult to answer. It was challenging and testing. At times it was exhausting. At others it was exhilarating. There were moments of apprehension and moments of enormous satisfaction. But perhaps the word I keep returning to is therapeutic. At sea, life becomes immediate. The worries, distractions and ‘negative noise’ that fill ordinary life are replaced by things that actually matter at that moment: wind, tide, weather, navigation, the boat and the next safe harbour and the enormous beauty of this wonderful island we call home. For 115 days my world contracted – and somehow became much bigger at the same time.
Challenge continues
The voyage is finished. The challenge is not. The real purpose of the voyage was never simply to get Zēteō back to Lymington. It was to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Paul arriving home at the end of his voyage Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to find a cure to this horrendous illness, funding research into its treatment, diagnosis and prevention. The charity has committed more than £171 million to dementia research since its first research project in 1998. Research is producing progress, but it requires money. My supporters have already done something extraordinary. Together we have now raised more than £14,000. I would dearly like to turn that into £15,000. That leaves one final stretch of this particular voyage – and unlike Cape Wrath, the Lizard or Portland Bill, this is one where I need other people to get me across the finishing line. If you have enjoyed reading about the voyage, followed Zēteō along the way on Facebook or the countless YouTube videos I posted, know somebody whose life has been affected by Alzheimer’s or simply think that sailing
alone around Britain for 115 days deserves a few pounds in the collecting tin, I would be enormously grateful for your support. Every donation, however small, moves the total a little closer. ■ Paul Smith completed his solo circumnavigation aboard his 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 321, Zēteō, on 4 August 2026, raising funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK. His voyage can be followed through his @SailingCaptainPaul YouTube channel or his Facebook Page (also SailingCaptainPaul). Donations can be made directly at Paul’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving. com/page/ sailingcaptainpaul
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MOVING ON UP? he RORC Rating Office in Lymington administers the two most popular rating systems used in UK yacht racing: the RYA’s Yacht Time Correction (YTC) system and the internationally recognised IRC (International Rating Certificate) rule. For many sailors, YTC is the first step beyond local handicap racing, while IRC opens the door to a wider range of competitive opportunities. The YTC rating system has become an excellent way for cruising yachts and club sailors to get involved in handicap racing without unnecessary cost or complexity. For many owners, the appeal is simple: for UK sailors it is free to apply for, straightforward to understand and designed around the sort of boats that make up the backbone of local club fleets — cruising yachts, cruiser-racers and boats whose owners want fair, enjoyable racing without turning their sailing into a full optimisation project. One of YTC’s biggest strengths is that it offers a consistent, measurement-based alternative to purely local performance handicaps. Club performance systems can work well, but they are often shaped by local knowledge, previous results and the particular mix of boats in one fleet. YTC gives clubs and owners a common framework based on the physical characteristics of the boat, helping racing feel more transparent and making it easier for boats to compete when visiting other clubs or taking part in local regattas. That said, YTC is not intended to be a playground for highly optimised
race boats or so-called ‘pot hunters’. Its purpose is to support accessible club racing and encourage participation, not to reward owners who set out to exploit an entry-level system. For boats and crews whose ambitions are becoming more serious, more technical or more widely travelled, IRC is usually the more appropriate route. As experience grows, crews often start travelling beyond their home club, entering open meetings or even regional championships, or longer coastal races. That is often when the question arises: is it time to move from YTC to IRC?
YTC racing at West Highland Yachting Week
Image: Yachting Images
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Jenny Howells, Technical Manager at RORC Rating Office, explains the role of YTC and looks at when it may be time to raise your sights from YTC to IRC.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
YTC is designed to be straightforward. It uses a limited set of physical boat data, normally based on published design information and basic dimensions such as length, weight, draft and sail area. This simplicity keeps the process accessible and allows many owners to obtain a rating without the cost or complexity of full measurement. IRC, by comparison, takes a more detailed view of the boat. It considers a broader range of yacht characteristics, including hull and appendage configuration, rig dimensions, sail inventory and other performancerelated features. The result is a rating system suited to a wide variety of racing, from club fleets to major offshore and championship events. The two systems should not be seen as rivals: YTC provides the entry point and IRC provides the next step for those with higher aspirations. The data requirements overlap, and for many owners the move is more natural than they expect.
SIGNS YOU MAY BE READY FOR IRC
The clearest sign is the type of racing you want to do. If your sailing is mainly informal club racing, YTC may continue to serve you very well. If you are starting to look at regional championships, larger regattas, longer coastal races or offshore events, you will often find that IRC is the rating system being used. Another sign is that your boat is no longer quite standard. Perhaps you have changed sails, altered the rig, fitted a different propeller, modified the appendages or made other performancerelated changes. As boats move away from basic production specification, a more detailed rating assessment becomes increasingly necessary to fairly reflect the boat’s performance.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
One common misconception is that IRC is only for professional campaigns or highbudget race boats. In reality, most IRC certificate holders are ordinary club sailors and amateur crews. The same system can rate a family cruiser-racer, a doublehanded offshore boat and a grand-prix racer because the purpose is the same: to provide a fair basis for competition between different types of yacht. Another misconception is that IRC always requires extensive measurement. For many production boats, the Rating Office already holds standard hull data and design information, which can make the application process relatively straightforward. Owners provide the rig and sail measurements and configuration information for their own boat.
WHY MAKE THE MOVE?
The biggest benefit of IRC is opportunity. An IRC certificate opens the door to a wide range of racing in the UK and internationally, from established club series and local championships to major offshore races and international events. It allows owners to broaden their racing calendar and compete with confidence in fleets where IRC is already well established. There is no single moment when every boat should make the move, if at all. The right time depends on your boat, your crew and your ambitions. But if your sailing is starting to stretch beyond your home club, IRC may be the natural next step. YTC gets sailors started; IRC helps them go further. ■
⚫ YTC to IRC Pathway: rorcrating.com/ryaytc
“As boats move away from basic production specification, a more detailed rating assessment becomes increasingly necessary to fairly reflect the boat’s performance”
Image: RORC/Paul Wyeth
IRC racing at the RORC Easter Challenge
⚫ IRC Rating: ircrating.org
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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Solent based dinghy sailor David Henshall is a well known writer and speaker on topics covering the rich heritage of all aspects of leisure boating
Winds of Change Image: Henshall
Amid concerns about the future of small-boat sailing, the South Coast’s remarkable summer tells a different story, with world-class racing, packed fleets and four major events showcasing British watersports at their best.
505 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Meanwhile, just across the Solent and a tad further east, Hayling Island SC was hosting the first of three amazing World Championship events that would grace our shores in just a handful of weeks. Hayling has enjoyed a long association with the International 505 Class which, for many years, would represent the pinnacle of non-Olympic dinghy sailing. Back in the early 1950s designer John Westell did a lot of his sailing on the waters of Chichester Harbour and when the growing fleet of ‘FiveOs’ moved to Hayling from Emsworth, the die was cast that remains strong through to today. The boats and the rigs are essentially the same today as they were back then (though the spinnaker is MUCH larger)
Image: David Henshall
whilst that close knit sense of being a part of something special, a feeling that is ever present at the heart of the 505 scene, also remains strong. Nearly 100 boats from around the world made the pilgrimage to Hayling for a championship where the racing was of the highest order, just as it has been at Hayling for over 70 years. The UK’s dominance in the dinghy scene was further reinforced a decade or so after the 505 when another top-class dinghy would take to the water. Whereas the 505 was unashamedly the elite for sailors to aspire to, local sailor Peter Milne wanted a cheaper, easy to home build performance dinghy and he ticked all of the boxes with his innovative scow design, the Fireball.
THE FIREBALL ARRIVES
Image: Sailing Energy/ iQFoil Class Association
With some great input from Fareham boatbuilder Jack Chippendale, the Fireball was perfectly positioned to tap into that
WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND
So far Cowes and then the two dinghy championships have all been about what could maybe be described as ‘conventional’ boats, but there was a third event being held on the South Coast this summer, halfway between Hayling and
Torquay at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. This was the UK’s biggest international event of the year as this was the World Championships for the iQFoil windsurfer class. The iQFoils are now an established part of the Olympic regatta scene and with Los Angeles 2028 looming large over the horizon, all those with aspirations for greater glories at Long Beach were competing along with the full range of coaches and support teams. Just how important this event was can be seen by a quick check of the numbers, as 186 sailors from 41 nations launched into the waters of Portland Harbour, either
Image: HISC/Christophe Favreau
I
n recent months there have been a number of posts swirling around the yachting media lamenting the increasingly parlous state of the small boat sailing scene. To read some of the offerings you could well be back with Dad’s Army and Corporal Frazer telling everyone that “we’re all doomed” and without a doubt some areas of our sport are finding that the conditions today are presenting a challenge. But, as anyone who has been boating along the South Coast during this wonderful summer season that we have been enjoying will attest, 2026 has also been a year in which the UK has once again shown that it remains one of the epicentres of global sailing. Although the main focus will be on three other events, any retrospective on the summer would have to include a mention of Cowes Week 2026. This was the bicentennial year for Cowes Week, with a packed programme of events afloat and ashore, in short, a classic return to form that has certainly pushed back against some of the negatives seen in previous years. Of course, the sparkling weather helped, as did the promotion of the event as being a major birthday celebration, but Cowes Week was certainly showing that there was no shortage of life in the world of bigger boats.
Torbay would lay on near perfect conditions for the Fireball worlds
1960s era of home building with flat plank sections and ‘stitch and glue’ to bring the hull panels together. As a result, a Fireball could be built in a home garage during the winter months ready for some fantastic fun sailing the following year. The Fireball was inexpensive when compared to boats of a similar size, offered rocketship performance and (important part here) could be competitively sailed by girls. The fun aspect of the boat and the buzzing après sailing scene that grew with the class made the Fireball one of the ‘great’ dinghies both in the UK and around the world, a position that it seems destined to retain. About 120 miles as the seagull flies west of Hayling lies Torquay and the centre of the ‘English Riviera’. Not long after the 505 Championships had concluded at Hayling, the Fireball World Championships were held on the waters of Torbay, courtesy of the Royal Torbay Yacht Club. Just as with the 505s at Hayling, the Fireballs attracted a bumper fleet from across the sailing world with the great weather and some superb organisation afloat and ashore ensuring that the 2026 event would be one to remember. However, with the glorious weather comes high pressure and the risk of easterly winds and as anyone who boats in and out of Torbay knows, a fresh easterly turns the fairly placid bay into a full-on test with big waves making the downwind legs exciting or white knuckle (often both). The Royal Torbay ran such a special event for the Fireball fleet that it looks as if this has set the class on an upward trend once again, and in a future episode of this Diary page we will be looking at the Fireball and other scow shaped hulls in more detail.
to race there or out in the open waters of Weymouth Bay. For those who do not know the iQFoil, at rest it just looks like a windsurfer but as soon as there is any breeze, the board lifts out of the water onto a foil mounted right at the back of the board. It does not look like it would work but it does and very successfully so, easily picking up to speeds around the 35kt mark. Four events, spanning just 120 miles or so but representing sailing that goes back to its very roots (think of the enduring popularity of the elderly X boats at Cowes) right the way through to the latest high-tech, high speed formats where the boats are almost not in the water. And what else does it say about the health of watersports here in the UK that in such a short distance and compressed timescale, that there are four venues, all capable of delivery a world class event. A sport in decline? Not on the showing of 2026! ■
Hayling Island was more like the South of France than the Solent for the 505 World Championships
“Four events, spanning just 120 miles or so but representing sailing that goes back to its very roots (think of the enduring popularity of the elderly X boats at Cowes) right the way through to the latest high-tech, high speed formats where the boats are almost not in the water” Castle Cove provided a stunning backdrop to the iQFoil World Championships
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
20 To distribute All at Sea for free: www.allatsea.co.uk/getthepaper IT IS A FEELING
Amelie is now sailing the Nacra 15 competitively
Mind Over Water Yachting Journalists’ Association Young Journalist of the Year 2026 nominee, Amelie Ballantyne is a 16-year-old dinghy sailor from Devon who loves competitive sailing in the Nacra 15, a high-performance catamaran designed for the next generation of multihull racers, and also enjoys sailing the ILCA, a single-handed racing dinghy. This month Amelie explains why sailing is good for your mental health.
I
f you sail a boat, you are incredibly lucky. You might not realise it, but you have something that can help keep your mental health and wellbeing in check. For me, being a teenager has meant GCSE exams this year, along with all the revision and pressure that comes with them. I have seen how this pressure has negatively affected some of my non-sailing friends and how it can impact happiness and health. Luckily for me, I found sailing before I was a teenager, so it
has always been part of what I do and I am so thankful for that during stressful times. While lots of young people my age might turn to screens when they are stressed or feeling low, I have always had the water as my outlet. In fact, sometimes my biggest problem was remembering that I was supposed to be revising because I would much rather have been off sailing! But that is the thing about modern life: it is very much go, go, go. Sailing gives me a reason to stop and change tack a little.
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Being outside allows you to be in the present and focus on what is happening around you rather than worrying about everything in life. There has been a lot of research recently, including the Blue Mind Theory, about why being around water can be so good for our mental health in order to encourage people to give watersports a go. But honestly, for me, it is obvious. It is a feeling. Being around water uses all of your senses. There is the calming sound of the water, the feel of the wind, the movement of the boat, the views, the smell of the sea, the fresh air and the sun on your face. Then there is the physical side of sailing that keeps you active, and we all know that exercise is good for us. You are constantly moving, concentrating and using your body, which releases endorphins and makes you feel good. For me, during my GCSEs, sailing was one of the best ways of taking my mind off revision and the pressure that came with it. Strangely, it actually helped me focus when I got back to my desk. Sometimes you need to step away from something before you can properly concentrate on it and this is good for wellbeing. There is also the social side. Sailing brings people of all ages together, from small children to, well, ancient people! Everyone is there for the same reason: to enjoy the water, have a chat and share knowledge and stories. Compare that with sitting alone in a room staring at a screen. Screens obviously have their place, but I think we sometimes forget how important it is to spend time with other people. We are social beings, and having people around you to talk to, laugh with and share experiences with can make a big difference to how you feel.
MISTAKES ARE OKAY
Sailing has also taught me something that I think is really important for mental health: it is okay to make mistakes. In everyday life, mistakes can feel like failure, but in sailing, you make them all the time; you capsize, fall out of your boat, get a knot wrong or misjudge a mooring pick-up. You sort it out and carry on and nobody expects you to get everything right every time. A mistake does not mean everything has gone wrong. You can learn from it and keep going. For me, sailing is way more than just a sport, it gets me outside, gets me moving, gives me people to talk to and, most importantly, makes me live in the moment. So whatever boat you sail, however fast you go, I think it is always worth finding your buoyancy aid and heading out. You might come back wet, cold and exhausted, but I bet you come back happier. ■ Amelie returns in the December issue when she will be reflecting on the lessons she has learnt this year.
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25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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Why winter works matter Whether your yacht is ashore or afloat, winter is an ideal opportunity for essential maintenance and improvement projects, including: • Preventative maintenance to protect against wear, corrosion and harsh weather • Detailed inspections and servicing that identify issues before they become costly delays • Upgrades that enhance safety, handling and overall enjoyment on the water From engine servicing and rig checks to antifouling, sailhandling systems and interior improvements, scheduled winter work ensures you and your yacht return to the water in the spring without delay – comfortable, confident, and ready to perform.
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Why boat brokerage comes in a giant cardboard box. I sometimes wonder what would happen if you walked into your local chandlery and asked for a broker. The assistant disappears into the stockroom, there is a loud crash, a bit of swearing and then he or she reappears dragging an enormous cardboard box across the floor with one word printed on the side: BROKERAGE. “I only want to sell my boat,” you say. “It is all in there,” comes the reply. You lift the lid and inside there is a camera, a valuation guide, advertising, legal paperwork, survey coordination, negotiation, payment handling, registration documents, sea trials, a kettle, a large bottle labelled ‘patience’ and, tucked away in one corner, a handwritten note ‘whatever you do, do not reply to that email until tomorrow morning’. It sounds ridiculous, except that is more or less what brokerage has always been. MORE THAN ONE JOB We have treated it as one product when, in reality, it is a collection of completely different jobs bundled together because that was the easiest way to sell them. The interesting thing is that technology has not replaced a brokerage, it has started unpacking the box. 20 years ago, you probably needed a broker to find a buyer. Today you might find one through Facebook, YouTube, a marina noticeboard or a WhatsApp group. That does not mean the rest of the box suddenly becomes worthless. In fact, some of it becomes even more valuable. GUIDANCE One of the services we used to joke about internally was ‘marine marriage guidance’. After enough years around boat sales, you realise people rarely argue about boats; they argue about what the boat represents. A buyer says, “The upholstery’s a bit dated” and the owner hears, “Everything you have spent the last 10 years looking after is rubbish.” A surveyor finds a few defects, exactly as surveyors are paid to do. The buyer sees negotiation; the seller sees a personal insult.
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I have seen transactions where tempers have got so out of hand that both the buyer and the surveyor ended up in the water. And I have seen another, where everything was going perfectly, until the buyer explained, quite calmly, that the money was coming from the Lord. Nobody teaches you how to deal with moments like that, but experience does. The paperwork is rarely the difficult part, people are. UNCERTAINTY The longer I have spent around boat transactions, the more I have come to believe that good brokers are not really selling boats at all – they are managing uncertainty. Every successful transaction quietly poses a series of questions. Does the seller own the boat? Has the survey been completed? Are the documents correct and has the money arrived? Each answer removes another layer of uncertainty until both parties have enough confidence to complete. That is the part many people do not see. If you have already found your buyer, perhaps you do not need marketing. If you can take decent photographs, maybe you do not need a photographer. But you may still need somebody who understands how to get from, “We have agreed a price” to “Congratulations, she is yours.”
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“The longer I have spent around boat transactions, the more I have come to believe that good brokers are not really selling boats at all – they are managing uncertainty” OPEN THE BOX That, I suspect, is where the future lies. Not in replacing brokers or pretending technology solves everything, but in recognising that the giant cardboard box can finally be opened. Some people will still want the whole thing; others will only need one or two parts. Either way, the real product is not the box, it is the confidence that comes from knowing someone has helped remove the uncertainty before it becomes a problem. Perhaps that is what brokerage was really selling all along. ■
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25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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Spine-tingling tales of the sea From the Flying Dutchman to the Mary Celeste, ghost stories and maritime mysteries have haunted the seas since civilisation took to the water in search of food and trade. With Halloween fast approaching, Susannah Hart shares some of her favourite haunting tales to send a chilling shiver down your spine. Image: Edgar/Unsplash
Lady Luvibond once again re-enacted her final moments. This 50-year cycle of sightings continued, with further claims reported in 1898 and 1948. The ill-fated Lady Luvibond is due to put in her next appearance on 13 February 2048. Anyone want to join me to see if she really does emerge from the mist before disappearing into the darkness for another 50 years?
A RIVETINGLY GOOD TALE
Image: Public Domain
I
n days gone by, a sailor’s life was often a short life. Perilous conditions, ill health, punishment and battle meant death was never far away. Unsurprisingly, sailors were a superstitious bunch – but nothing sent them into a tailspin more than a suspected haunting. Real or imagined, many of these ghostly tales have endured, continuing to spook, startle and scare.
Ghost ships are not the only vessels said to carry echoes of the past. Sometimes the haunting is embedded in the ship itself. Before modern-day safety measures, shipbuilding could be just as dangerous as serving onboard, giving rise to many grisly stories – especially as sail gave way to steam.
THE GHOST OF GOODWIN SANDS
Six miles off the Kent coast you will find one of Britain’s most notorious maritime hazards: Goodwin Sands. This ten-mile stretch of shifting sandbanks has a reputation as a ‘ship graveyard’, responsible for more than 2,000 shipwrecks and countless lives lost over the centuries. Genuine tragedy, swirling sea mist and constantly shifting sands have naturally given rise to many supernatural legends, making Goodwin Sands an incredibly rich source of maritime ghost stories: phantom cries for help heard in the fog, ghostly lights hovering over the sands and apparitions of drowned sailors seen from the coast. A particularly macabre, yet beguiling tale, is that of the schooner Lady Luvibond, wrecked on 13 February 1748, when unrequited love turned wedding celebrations into disaster. And death. According to folklore, Captain Simon Reed had just married and was sailing with a general cargo for Oporto with his new bride, her mother and their wedding guests onboard. In a cruel twist of fate, Reed’s first mate, John Rivers, was secretly in love with his new wife and had hoped to marry her himself. Overcome with jealousy and driven by hatred, Rivers deliberately steered the vessel onto the Goodwin Sands as the bridal party
The Great Eastern, 1858. Lithograph by Charles Parsons, published by Currier & Ives.
Image: Alexander Lunyov/Unsplash
toasted the newly married couple below in the captain’s cabin. Everyone onboard perished. By dawn of the following day, all trace of the Lady Luvibond had vanished, sucked into the shifting sands for ever. Fifty years later, on 13 February 1798, a shimmering apparition of the schooner was seen sailing over the sands before vanishing into the mist. Then, 50 years after that, on 13 February 1848, local fishermen watched as the ghostly In his book Sailing, Yachts and Yarns, Tom Cunliffe recounts a series of strange experiences while sailing
“There is no denying that over the centuries there have been many otherworldly encounters at sea that have yet to be explained – and possibly never will be” Construction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Eastern started in 1854, with several workers meeting a ghastly end during the four-year build, subsequent launch and sea trials. An engineering marvel and the largest ship of her time, the SS Great Eastern had a revolutionary double iron hull which required millions of hand-driven rivets. A riveter and his apprentice or ‘bash boy’ would crawl into extremely narrow spaces between the inner and outer hulls to heat and hold rivets in place while others hammered them from outside. A dark, hot and deafening task. From the moment the ship officially entered service on her maiden voyage in 1860, crew members began reporting hearing mysterious knocking and hammering from deep within the hull. The sounds were described as rhythmic, like someone riveting metal. The ghostly pounding could also be heard when the ship was at sea, even in a gale, leading many sailors to believe the vessel was haunted by a riveter sealed alive inside the double hull during construction. Plagued by misfortune throughout her life - including storms, collisions and
groundings - the once-colossal SS Great Eastern was eventually scrapped on the banks of the River Mersey between 1889 and 1890. It was during this time that this unsettling Victorian tale takes a dark turn. While dismantling the iron hull, piece by piece, workers found two skeletons inside the sealed double bottom – the longdead remains of a riveter and his bash boy. This grim discovery is said to explain both the mysterious noises and the ship’s run of misfortune. Fact or fiction? With the passage of time, fact often becomes folklore but, nonetheless, it had me riveted to the page.
THE BARRY PILOT
Not all maritime mysteries or ghostly encounters are from the distant past, with long-dead witnesses and scant, often unreliable, documented testimony. Occasionally, those who tell the tale are still with us and can give first-hand accounts of their ethereal experiences. In his book, Sailing, Yachts and Yarns, Tom Cunliffe recounts a series of strange, supernatural experiences while sailing onboard his former 1911 Barry pilot cutter Hirta, which he owned for 15 years. Hirta had originally been built for the Barry pilot George Morrice, whose livelihood depended on racing other pilot cutters out into the Channel to be the first to offer pilotage services to incoming merchant ships. One night, as the cutter sailed up the Bristol Channel, Tom heard something that made him think that the long-gone Pilot Morrice might not have completely signed off. Tom describes being half asleep on his watch below when he heard a voice call: “Where bound, Captain?” This ancient cry was followed by a muffled exchange before a response rang out loud and clear: “We are the Barry Pilot.” Then footfalls, and silence. The next morning, Tom convinced himself he had been dreaming and thought no more about it – until a year later when the Barry Pilot put in another appearance. This encounter occurred while Tom was wrestling with Hirta’s large gaff mainsail as he sailed her through a severe gale 100 miles off the coast of Greenland. At a critical moment, as the heavy sail was doing serious damage and Tom was trying to grab the gaff, it suddenly ‘flipped’ inboard and sat ‘patiently’ on top of the shoulder-high boom. As he stared in disbelief at this physically impossible feat, he swears he heard a stern Welsh voice say: “I can’t hold it forever, lad. Are you going to stare at it, or will you take a turn and save yourself.” Which he did, of course, before going below to try and make sense of what he had witnessed. Pilot Morrice puts in a third appearance a few years later, but I will let you delve into the pages of Tom’s book to find out how this old pilot once again lends a hand from beyond the grave. A natural storyteller who can turn the most pedestrian tale into an enthralling yarn, Tom is as steadfast and reliable as you would expect an experienced skipper to be – and I, for one, believe him. But maybe it is just that I love the idea that old vessels carry the memory of the people who have sailed them, casting a watchful eye. There is no denying that over the centuries there have been many otherworldly encounters at sea that have yet to be explained – and possibly never will be. But this Halloween, why let the truth stand in the way? There is nothing more thrilling than a hauntingly good tale that raises the hairs on the back of your neck – whether you are a sceptic or a believer. ■
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Pets Afloat
Send us your pet pics to win
Our furry friends love spending time on the water as much as we do! The pet in the winning photo will win a Shore Thing reversible and adjustable dog harness and matching lead (worth £36) courtesy of TopDog! TopDog is a UK-based pet accessory business founded by dog lovers, for dog lovers. TopDog's harnesses can either be reversed to change the style or adjusted to fit a growing pup, giving dog owners more choice for their money. The brand donates a portion of profits every year to charity. See the full range at: topdogharnesses.co.uk
Here is Forest, secure and cosy in his travel compartment. Orla enjoying a well earned snooze in the sun on a trip to the Beaulieu River.
Cocker spaniel, Poppy, cooling off onboard in Briare during a French heatwave.
What a handsome pair of dogs! Bob and Hudson love being onboard Rafiki. THIS O M NTH’S WINNING PHOTO
This is Wilbur in his lifejacket at Poole Harbour. He takes his role as skipper and lifeguard very seriously when aboard.
Skip is making sure he can see everything that is going on!
Ted is ever hopeful for another crisp…
Brighe is learning the ropes!
Daisy and Wilma enjoying their holiday!
Does your pet love the water too? Send us your photos! editor@allatsea.co.uk As well as featuring in the paper your pet might pop up on All at Sea’s social pages or in our newsletter www.facebook.com/allatseanewspaper | www.allatsea.co.uk/aasnewsletter
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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Photos of the Month
Send in your photos and you could be in All at Sea, on our social pages or in our weekly newsletter. Send entries, with a caption, to editor@allatsea.co.uk. Each month’s winning photo will be included in the Photo of the Year reader vote.
THIS MONTH’S WINNING PHOTO
A June Beaulieu sunset sent in by Debs.
Coriander, heading down Meadow Dyke from Horsey Mere to Heigham Sound, Norfolk Broads. This month's winning photo is by Peter Talbot.
Heath fire smoke over Gosport, sent in by Peter Ramsden. This photo, sent in by Terry Matley, was taken from a drone over the Beaulieu River, looking towards a fire in the forest.
Quiet reflections on Falmouth Harbour by Nadia Lonsdale, taken while underway in the early hours.
Thanks to Nikki Allen for this lovely photo.
“Sun motivated, wind powered”. This photo was taken off the Isle of Wight by Brian Tugwell.
Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker Smyrtos with HMS Sutherland, a Royal Navy Type 23 frigate, in the background and HMS Ledbury to the right. Sent in by Idris Martin.
Paul Duffield took this photo across the Solent with the sun setting over a distant fire. T&Cs: By submitting a photo you agree that it might be used in All at Sea, All at Sea’s social pages and newsletter. By submitting images, each entrant confirms they have the permission of anyone pictured in the image. The photo must be an original creation - no copyrighted images may be used. If you are under the age of 18 you must have permission to enter from your parent or guardian. By submitting an entry, your parent/carer/guardian is deemed to have given such consent and to agree to the use of the entry as described in these terms and conditions. Monthly winners will go forward to a final reader vote at the end of each year. Sign up to the newsletter at www.allatsea.co.uk
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BOAT SEA FISHING ZONE
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BAIT OF THE MONTH
FEATURE ARTICLE
PETER LEONARD MARINE:
DISPLAYING THE POTENTIAL OF THE RECREATIONAL ANGLER MARKET
BLUEY: A POWERFUL AUTUMN BAIT FOR UK SEA ANGLERS October signals the start of the autumn fishing season, with cooler water and shorter days bringing many predatory species closer to shore. One bait that deserves a place in the bait box this month is bluey (horse mackerel). Bluey is oily, tough and packed with scent, making it particularly effective in the rougher conditions often encountered during autumn. Its strong scent trail can help attract predators from a considerable distance. It is especially effective for rays, huss, conger eel, bass and larger predatory species, with
autumn providing some excellent opportunities for specimen fish. Bluey works well from surf beaches, deeper rock marks, piers and estuaries, particularly when there is plenty of tide movement. It can be presented as strips, flappers or larger sections depending on the target species.
A pulley rig or running ledger is ideal, with bait elastic helping to keep the bait secure during casting. For rays and huss, larger, robust hooks are recommended. With its combination of oil, scent and durability, bluey is a dependable autumn bait and a worthy Bait of the Month for October.
CROSSING THE CHANNEL
IS HEADING TO THE CHANNEL ISLANDS WORTH THE TRIP? Peter Leonard Marine enjoyed a highly successful Southampton International Boat Show, demonstrating the potential for new boat sales when products are positioned around the specific needs of their target customers. Featuring Jomo, Smartliner and Texas Boats, the range offered broad appeal as versatile, practical boats suited to a wide variety of recreational activities. However, their capabilities and equipment made them particularly well suited to recreational anglers. The boats were nicely specified
with Suzuki outboards and Garmin fishfinders, while some packages also featured RAILBLAZA mounts and rod holders, creating practical, ready-to-fish solutions straight from the showroom. Importantly, the appeal extended beyond experienced boat owners. The simplicity, versatility and accessible nature of the boats made them an attractive proposition for customers entering the market for the first time, offering an easy route into boat ownership without
compromising on features and functionality that experienced anglers expect. The success achieved by Peter Leonard Marine at Southampton provides a strong example of how understanding a particular consumer and tailoring the complete package around their needs can help generate new boat sales. For dealers and manufacturers, the message is clear: understand the customer, demonstrate the use case and sell the boat as a complete solution rather than simply a product.
For the South Coast boat angler, the Channel Islands are close enough to be a realistic adventure — but far enough away to make it feel like a proper expedition. Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney offer a completely different fishing experience, with huge tidal movement, rocky reefs, deep water and some serious current. Alderney’s famous Race can see powerful streams, while the islands’ mixed ground produces bass, pollack, wrasse, bream and mackerel, with the potential for some much larger surprises. The beauty is that the trip does not have to be a dawn-to-dusk dash. Why not fish hard through the day, then head into St Peter Port for an evening ashore? Guernsey has several visitor marinas, while Beaucette Marina provides serviced berths, showers and a restaurant — making it an attractive base for a fishing break. Factor in good weather, a capable boat and some careful tidal planning, and the Channel Islands could
turn a weekend fishing trip into a genuine adventure — with new ground, different species and the possibility of a fish you will remember for years.
CATCH OF THE MONTH Send in your best angling pics every month – you and your catch! If yours is the winning photo, you will receive a RAILBLAZA Rod Holder R* and cap. Email your photo to editor@allatsea.co.uk including your name, fish species and where it was caught. This month’s winner is Craig Smith with a 7lb cod caught just off St Mary’s Lighthouse out of the Tyne. The runner-up is Ryan Davidson with a wrasse caught off Eastbourne. See more of your catches at www.allatsea.co.uk.
Send us your catch photo and you could win a prize from RAILBLAZA too!
RUNNER-UP
*Rod Holder requires a mount which can be purchased at www.railblaza.co.uk
WINNER
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
Subscribe to All at Sea’s newsletter: www.allatsea.co.uk/aasnewsletter 27
CRUISING MATTERS
Cruise. Explore. Connect.
The CA was founded in 1908 specifically to meet the needs of cruising sailors and provides services, information, help and advice to thousands of members worldwide. For more information visit www.theca.org.uk.
LOBSTER POT CAMPAIGN
BUILDING THE EVIDENCE FOR CHANGE
▲ Lobster Pot Campaign flyer Cruising Association rolls out Lobster Pot Campaign materials to help improve safety at sea. The marine community is being invited to help spread the Cruising Association’s Lobster Pot Campaign message by displaying and distributing new campaign flyers and pick-up cards. The CA and its campaign partners have taken another step forward with its national Lobster Pot Campaign, with new promotional materials raising awareness of the dangers posed by poorly marked static fishing gear and encouraging boaters to report sightings and entanglements. The new A4 and A5 flyers and pocket-sized pick-up cards are available free of charge to sailing and yacht clubs, marinas, harbour offices, chandleries, yacht brokers, training centres and other organisations across the marine community to display and distribute.
MARKED GEAR = SAFE GEAR
Marked Gear = Safe Gear is the message at the heart of the campaign. The CA is calling for existing MCA voluntary guidance on gear marking to be made mandatory and enforceable.
A key priority is encouraging boaters to report sightings of poorly marked static fishing gear and entanglements through the Royal Yachting Association’s Fishing Gear Incident Reporting Form. Report to the RYA at: rya.org.uk/ water-safety/fishing-gear-incidentreporting-form Since September 2025, the RYA has published anonymised reports and an interactive map showing where incidents are occurring. Over the 12 months to 15 September 2026, 50 entanglements and 107 sightings of poorly marked static fishing gear were reported, with two minor injuries to crew recorded.
chandlery, training centre or marine event, each display provides another opportunity to raise awareness and encourage boaters to report what they encounter on the water. To request free campaign materials, email lobsterpots@theca.org.uk, stating how many A4 flyers, A5 flyers and pick-up cards you would like, together with your mailing address. A digital version of the flyer is also available to download, print and display from www.theca.org.uk/lobster-potcampaign-support The Lobster Pot Campaign is led by the Cruising Association in partnership with the Royal Institute of Navigation, Westerly Owners’ Association, Practical Boat Owner and Yachting Monthly. The campaign has also received support from organisations including the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), UK Harbour Masters Association (UKHMA), Royal Naval Sailing Association (RNSA), MDL Marinas and the British Ports Association (BPA), as well as sailing personalities including Sir Robin KnoxJohnston and Mike Golding. Find out more at www.theca.org.uk/ lobster-pot-campaign
Every additional report strengthens the evidence base, helps identify locations where problems are occurring and contributes to a clearer picture of the scale of the problem.
GET INVOLVED
▲ Lobster Pot Campaign pick-up card
FREE MOTORBOAT WEBINARS Whether you are thinking of buying your first motorboat, changing boats or planning new cruising adventures, Motorboat Tuesdays are for you. Join the CA Motorboat Section live on Zoom each Tuesday in November for a series of practical and informative talks covering boat choice, buying second-hand, sea cruising and exploring Europe’s inland waterways. The talks are free and open to all: ■ 3 November – What motorboat to choose? ■ 10 November – Introduction to the European Inland Waterways ■ 17 November – Choosing a motorboat for sea cruising ■ 26 November – Buying a second-hand boat Find out more and book at www.theca.org.uk/events/all
First time, new members joining the CA can spread the cost of Full Membership by monthly Direct Debit. At the special offer rate, that means Full Membership costs just £11.50 a month. The monthly payment option is available to all new, first-time members who apply directly to the CA by email to membership@theca.org.uk or telephone 020 7537 2828.
INTRODUCING YOUNG CRUISER MEMBERSHIP
The Cruising Association has introduced new ways to join, including 20 per cent off Full Membership, a new monthly payment option and the launch of Young Cruiser Membership for those aged 18-35. “The CA is all about cruisers sharing knowledge, experience and friendship,” commented Robin Baron, President of the Cruising Association. “We want to make that community accessible to as many people as possible. Our new membership options and ways to pay give people greater choice and flexibility, whether they are just starting their cruising journey or have many miles under their keel.”
SAVE 20 PER CENT ON FULL MEMBERSHIP
View the map: www.rya. org.uk/water-safety/boatsafety-and-maintenance/ fishing-gear-entanglements
Whether it is a flyer on a yacht club noticeboard or marina office wall, or a supply of pick-up cards at a harbour office,
SPREAD THE COST JUST £11.50 A MONTH
Image: Ian Randall
The Lobster Pot Campaign is prosafety – it is not anti-fishing. The issue is not fishing itself, but unsafe marking practices that put all water users at risk. Responsible fishermen, sailors, motor cruisers and regulators all share an interest in ensuring static fishing gear is clearly visible and safely marked. Through its Manifesto, evidence gathering and collaboration across the marine sector, the campaign is working to raise awareness of the issue, identify where incidents are occurring and build the evidence needed to support change.
JOIN THE CA FROM JUST £11.50 PER MONTH
New first-time members can save 20 per cent on their first year of Full Membership, reducing the annual subscription from £172 to £138 when paying by Direct Debit or recurring card payment. Full Membership covers either an individual or two members living at the same address and provides access to the CA’s extensive cruising information, services, expertise, events and worldwide community of cruisers. Use the code SIBS2026 on the online joining form to enjoy 20 per cent off until 31 October 2026. Join at www.theca.org.uk/join/register
The CA has launched a Young Cruiser Membership, making Full Membership more accessible to the next generation of cruisers. The new membership type replaces the existing youth membership and significantly broadens the age range, with the reduced rate available until the end of the year in which a member turns 35. Year-round, those aged 18-35 can join for just £50 a year, with access to all the benefits of Full Membership. Join at www.theca.org.uk/ join/register The move builds on the Association’s long-standing commitment to making cruising more accessible and affordable for younger sailors and young families. Whether setting out on a first cruising adventure, crewing, sailing your own boat or planning to cruise further afield, Young Cruiser Membership offers an affordable way to access the CA’s knowledge, resources and cruising community.
Follow the Cruising Association
cdfi @cruisingassociation
@cruising_assoc
@cruisingassociation @the-cruising-association
Disclaimer: Any advice has been prepared voluntarily by the Cruising Association, its members and others and they and it have tried to ensure that the contents are accurate. However, the Cruising Association, its employees, contributors and relevant members shall not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience of any kind howsoever arising in connection with the use of and/or reliance on such advice, save to the extent required by applicable law.
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
28 To distribute All at Sea for free: www.allatsea.co.uk/getthepaper
Looking After Your Rigging & Hydraulics This Winter Image: Christopher Ison
Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics’ Neil Brinsdon shares this advice for winterising your standing rigging, running rigging and hydraulic systems. “Pay close attention to split pins, shackles, spreader roots and masthead sheaves,” he advises. “These are all areas where wear can develop unnoticed.” Winter is also the ideal time to clean and protect standing rigging. “Wash the rig thoroughly with mild soap and water to remove any dirt and salt deposits,” says Neil. “Then apply a quality lubricant to help prevent corrosion.” Checking rig tension is equally important, helping to minimise unnecessary movement and abrasion during heavy winter weather.
A
s the leaves turn and the evenings start to draw in, a new phase of the boating calendar begins. A little extra care now will go a long way to protecting your rigging and hydraulics over these colder months, helping to prevent damage and ensuring everything is ready when spring arrives.
WHY WINTERISING MATTERS
“Winter brings its own challenges,” says Neil. “Freezing temperatures, heavy winds and damp conditions can all take their toll. Without proper care, the elements can damage rigging and hydraulics, leaving you with costly repairs - or worse, a compromised boat - when the new season arrives.”
“Professional inspections are invaluable because they can identify issues long before they become serious problems,” he explains. Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics offers impartial mast and rigging inspections for yachts of all sizes and ages, producing detailed reports that highlight any concerns while also creating a useful maintenance history for future reference. For owners carrying out their own inspections, Neil recommends carefully examining wire rigging for frayed wires, broken strands or rust - particularly where the wire enters the swage.
“Hydraulics are often overlooked until something goes wrong,” says Neil. “A winter inspection can prevent leaks and failures later on.” He recommends having hoses, fittings and connections professionally checked. The Sparcare service team at Advanced Rigging is factory-trained in both Navtec and Reckmann systems. Routine servicing should include flushing and cleaning, changing oil and filters, and replacing worn components where necessary.
Neil also recommends periodically unstepping the rig for a more comprehensive inspection.
“Using manufacturer-approved lubricants on moving parts like winches, windlasses and stabilisers will also help keep everything operating smoothly,” he adds.
“Hydraulic systems play a vital role in both yacht performance and onboard comfort, and winter is the ideal time for preventative maintenance”
READY FOR NEXT SEASON
By investing a little time into your yacht’s standing and running rigging, and hydraulic systems this winter, you can look forward to a safer and more reliable season afloat. ■
▲ Advanced Rigging supplies many high-strength ropes from leading brands A full rig inspection at least once a year is recommended
RUNNING RIGGING
Image: Christopher Ison
“It is the best way to identify hidden wear and extend the lifespan of the system. We can manage this whole process for yacht owners, including storage and recommissioning in the spring.”
STANDING RIGGING
Offshore race boats, particularly those regularly pushed hard in heavy weather, should be inspected before and after each event.
Hydraulic systems play a vital role in both yacht performance and onboard comfort, and winter is the ideal time for preventative maintenance.
“Every few years it is worth dismantling, cleaning and inspecting all rig components properly,” he says.
A proactive approach now will safeguard performance and reliability later. According to Neil, every yacht should undergo a full rig inspection at least once a year, regardless of how frequently it sails.
HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS
Lines and ropes also benefit from end-of-season attention, with proper care helping to maintain both safety and longevity. “Inspect all running rigging carefully, especially around high-stress areas like winches, cleats and blocks,” Neil advises. Salt and dirt trapped within fibres can accelerate wear, so thorough cleaning is essential before winter storage. “Once cleaned, replace any worn or damaged lines and store everything neatly in a dry, protected space,” he says. Advanced Rigging supplies a wide range of high-strength ropes from leading brands including Gottifredi Maffioli, Liros and Kingfisher Ropes custom-made and hand-finished with premium hardware.
If you are planning a larger winter project or seeking professional support, the team at Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics can assist you with inspections, servicing, storage, recommissioning and complete re-rigs, helping to keep your yacht in top condition year-round. advancedrigging.co.uk
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
To advertise here please call 0776 5811 290 29
Adventure Sailing for Scouts and Youth Organisations www.dsp.uk.com
Part Time Bosun
Universal Marina – to £250 per day – dependent upon experience The Discovery Sailing Project is a Sail Training Charity which is part of the Scout Association. We enable young people from all walks of life to experience and benefit from Offshore Sailing. We operate three yachts from our base: DSP HQ, Universal Marina, on the River Hamble. We have three vessels: ■ Thermopylae Clipper, 60’ - 15 berths ■ Discovery DSP, 43’ - 12 berths ■ Alexander Fairey, 34’- 8 berths About the Role This is a part time role, circa 20 hours/week. We seek an individual with a hands-on operational focus, NOT a manager to direct and lead others. We need a “do-er”. This is a unique, exciting, engaging and fulfilling role where the main requirement is to ensure our vessels are ready for sea, enabling young people to partake in challenging experiences through the power of Sail Training.
Skills Required Experienced in maintaining yachts and their systems, including but not limited to: ■ Engines ■ 12 / 24v systems ■ Pumps and plumbing ■ Woodwork ■ GRP ■ Rigging & Sails Able to work to deadlines and budgets – as a charity with limited funds our yachts must be fit for purpose, but not necessarily pristine.
Public Liability Insurance Candidates must have, or be willing to take out, Public Liability Insurance. To Apply In the first instance, please email your CV, covering letter and contact details to David Wallder, Volunteer Skipper & Chief Instructor at david.wallder@dsp.uk.com.
Hangar 2E, Universal Marina, Crableck Lane, Sarisbury Green, Southampton, SO31 7ZN
ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
30 To distribute All at Sea for free: www.allatsea.co.uk/getthepaper
OFF WATCH SUDOKU Place a number (from 1 to 9 inclusive) into each square in such a way that every digit appears once in each horizontal row, each vertical column and each box of nine squares.
EASY
8
2 9
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1
7
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2 5 5
8 2 7
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MODERATE 8 6 2 3
3
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5 7 1
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6 5
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1 8
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1 7 6
1 2 5 8 8 3 3
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17 Edible finger-shaped pulpy fruit (6) 19 Remove a knot (5) 20 Basic unit of money in Iceland (5) 22 18th Greek letter (5)
M
A
ANSWERS ON PAGE 38
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
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W O R DW H Using the letters in the wheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible of three or more letters, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must contain the central letter and no letters can be used more than once per word unless they appear in different sections of the wheel. There is at least one nine-letter word to be found. Nine-letter word(s): _________________________________________________________
A E
C A
N
N I
R T
E L
3 5 6
1
E
2
5 1 2
2
9
7
6 2 7 7
G
8
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Check-box 5
8
Down 1 Country, capital Santiago (5) 2 Receptacle that contains fluid for a pen (7) 3 Label identifying the owner of an article (4,3) 4 Cipher used by Germany during World War II (6) 5 Item in a written record (5) 6 Retail establishment (5) 7 In a strange, uncanny way (7) 13 Minute life form (7) 15 Depositing in a careless or hurried way (7) 16 Public transport vehicle (7)
Each letter of the alphabet has been given a different number. Substitute numbers for letters to make words to complete the puzzle. The check-box and letters either side of the grid may help you keep track.
4
3
Solve the puzzle, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out a type of water vessel.
CODEWORD
3
TOUGH 5 4 1
2
Across 1 Patrons (9) 8 Saltpetre (5) 9 Kind (3) 10 Edward _ _ _, composer of Enigma Variations (5) 11 Turn inside out (5) 12 End resistance (5) 13 Speak unfavourably about (6) 14 Foolishness (6) 18 Thick piece of wood or bread (5) 21 Without (5) 23 Make by sewing together quickly (3,2) 24 Large (3) 25 _ _ _ Mulroney, former Canadian prime minister (5) 26 Absence of the sense of pain without loss of consciousness (9)
CROSSWORD
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
To advertise here please call 0776 5811 290 31
HAMBLE • SOUTHAMPTON • PORTSMOUTH • GOSPORT • HAYLING ISLAND Call Sam on 07787 561 699
Call Nic on 07973 780 821
www.boatshedhamble.com Hamble, Southampton
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www.boatshedportsmouth.com Portsmouth, Gosport
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32 Want to advertise with us? email: advertising@allatsea.co.uk
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
NEW FOR 2026/2027 A L L N E W F U L LY S E R V I C E D P O N TO O N S I N D I V I D U A L D E E P - WAT E R B E RT H S
CRUISE FROM THE VERY HEART OF SUSSEX...
...plan your trip now www.newhavenmarina.co.uk 01273 513881 Newhaven Advert Magazine.indd 1
23/04/2026 14:30:51
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
Subscribe to All at Sea’s newsletter: www.allatsea.co.uk/aasnewsletter 33
THE CHANGING FACE OF MARINAS
Twenty years ago boating was a world defined by heritage, hands-on skill and a slow climb through vessel sizes. Owners began with smaller craft and worked their way upward; they had to learn the intricacies of engines, electronics and maintenance along the journey. Marinas were reliable, practical, functional hubs, designed for seasoned mariners who wanted a safe berth and little else. Today, that world looks almost unrecognisable. EVOLVING EXPECTATIONS
D
ean Smith (right) has watched this transformation from one of the best vantage points in the industry. As Chief Commercial Officer at D-Marin, he oversees 26 premium marinas across nine countries, welcoming more than 50,000 customers annually. “Boating used to be about progression through experience,” says Dean. “Today, it is about immediate access to a lifestyle.”
SUPERYACHT SHORTCUT
In the last five years, an unprecedented wave of newcomers has reshaped the sector. First-time buyers now make up 31 per cent of all new boat purchases and 37 per cent of pre-owned transactions, fuelling a 35 per cent rise in first-time ownership overall. But it is not just the volume of new entrants that is significant; it is how differently they behave.
“We are seeing owners step straight into 40, 50 or even 70m yachts as their first acquisition,” Dean explains. “They are not buying into boating as a technical pursuit – they are investing in a fully formed lifestyle.” The average superyacht owner has dropped from around 65 to under 55 in just one decade. For this cohort, entry at the superyacht level is not about tradition or seamanship. It is about acquiring a turnkey asset that functions simultaneously as holiday home, entertainment venue and personal brand statement. This shift is visible across D-Marin’s network, which provides more than 14,000 berths, including more than 1,000 dedicated to superyachts. Demand for larger berths has been one of the fastest-growing segments within the portfolio - a trend Dean expects to continue as the global superyacht fleet expands.
This generational shift is forcing a fundamental redefinition of what a marina represents. “The marina is no longer just infrastructure,” says Dean. “It is an integral part of the ownership experience.” Across D-Marin’s Mediterranean and Gulf locations, demand for hospitality-led environments has grown measurably; curated events, premium retail, concierge-level service and thoughtfully designed social spaces. D-Marin guests consistently report that it is not just the quality of the facilities that keeps them returning; it is the level of care and hospitality that surrounds them from the moment they arrive. Modern owners now expect the atmosphere and service standards of a five star resort delivered dockside: concierge assistance, premium dining, wellness facilities and communityoriented social environments. These are no longer differentiators. They are the baseline.
NEW MODEL OF MARINA
Digital fluency has become equally non-negotiable. Today’s ownership demographic manages everything through their phones, and they expect their marina to meet them there. D-Marin’s app allows customers to
manage berth bookings and renewals, coordinate services and access complimentary smart sensors for realtime vessel monitoring. The continued growth in adoption across the portfolio reflects a customer base that measures quality not just by facilities, but by how effortlessly everything works. “Ten years ago, certain administrative delays were accepted as part of marina life,” Dean notes. “Today, they are a reason to move elsewhere. Speed and simplicity matter.” Environmental responsibility is accelerating alongside digital demand. Nearly one-third of new superyacht builds now include hybrid or electric propulsion systems, a clear signal that the next generation of owners expect luxury and sustainability to coexist, and that marinas must be equipped to support both.
ADAPT OR GET LEFT BEHIND
With the global yacht market valued at more than $10 billion and expanding rapidly as new wealth enters the sector, the pressure on marina operators to evolve has never been greater. Since 2023, D-Marin has added 10 new marinas and entered new markets including Spain, Malta and Albania, growth driven not just by geography, but by the conviction that consistent, premium standards can and should be delivered across an entire network. “Growth is not simply about adding locations,” Dean says. “It is about building an interconnected network that delivers consistent standards, whether an owner
is in the Adriatic, the Balearics or the eastern Mediterranean, that consistency is what builds trust - and trust is what builds loyalty.” The marinas that will define the next decade are those willing to embrace a fundamentally new model, one that integrates luxury hospitality, digital innovation, sustainability and the heavyduty infrastructure demanded by the world’s largest yachts. Those that treat these shifts as optional upgrades risk losing a customer base that has already raised the bar. Because today’s boater and superyacht owners are not just looking for a berth – they are looking for an experience worthy of the life they have chosen. n
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
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MARINA GUIDE
Your guide to finding marinas nationwide
LONDON ST KATHARINE DOCKS Manager: Paul Atkins 50 St. Katharine’s Way, London, E1W 1LA T: 0207 264 5312 E: marina.reception@skdocks.co.uk W: ww.skdocks.co.uk
KING POINT MARINA Marina Manager: Mark Brimacombe Brunel Way, Milbay, Plymouth, PL1 3EF T: 01752 424297 E: marina@kingpointmarina.co.uk W: www.kingpointmarina.co.uk
PARKSTONE BAY MARINA Manager: Henry Cobley Turks Lane, Poole, Dorset, BH14 8EW T: 01202 747 857 E: info@parkstonebay.com W: www.parkstonebay.com
SOUTH WEST
PREMIER MARINAS NOSS ON DART Manager: Mike Smith Bridge Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth Devon, TQ6 0EA T: 01803 839087 E: noss@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com
POOLE QUAY BOAT HAVEN Manager: Kerrie Gray Poole Town Quay, Poole,Dorset, BH15 1HJ T/F: 01202 649488 E: info@poolequayboathaven.co.uk W: www.poolequayboathaven.co.uk
PREMIER MARINAS FALMOUTH Manager: Mark Evans North Parade, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 2TD T: 01326 316620 E: falmouth@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com PORT PENDENNIS MARINA Manager: Mark Webster Challenger Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3YL T: 01326 211211 E: marina@portpendennis.com W: www.portpendennis.com MYLOR YACHT HARBOUR Manager/contact: Culum Matheson Mylor Churchtown, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5UF T: 01326 372 121 E: marina@mylor.com W: www.mylor.com
DOLPHIN BOATYARD Galmpton Creek, Brixham, Devon T: 01803 842424 E: info@dolphinhaven.co.uk W: www.dolphin-haven.co.uk MDL BRIXHAM MARINA Manager: Martyn Sherratt Berry Head Road, Devon, TQ5 9BW T: 01803 882929 E: brixham@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.brixhammarina.co.uk MDL TORQUAY MARINA Manager: Martyn Sherratt Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5EQ T: 01803 200210 E: torquaymarina@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.torquaymarina.co.uk
MAYFLOWER MARINA Manager: Charles Bush Plymouth, Devon, PL1 4LS T: 01752 556633 E: info@mayflowermarina.co.uk W: www.mayflowermarina.co.uk
WATCHET MARINA Manager: Matt Driscoll Harbour Office, Watchet, TA23 0AQ T: 01984 322230 E: watchetmarina@westernmarinas.co.uk W: www.westernmarinas.co.uk
PLYMOUTH YACHT HAVEN Manager: Steve Cox Shaw Way, Mount Batten, Devon, PL9 9XH T: 01752 404231 E: plymouth@yachthavens.com W: www.yachthavens.com
PREMIER WEYMOUTH MARINA Manager: Paul Swain Commercial Road, Weymouth Dorset, DT4 8NA T: 01305 767576 E: weymouth@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com
YACHT HAVEN QUAY, PLYMOUTH Manager: Richard Brown Breakwater Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 7FE T: 01752 481190 E: boatyard@yachthavenquay.com W: www.yachthavens.com
WEYMOUTH HARBOUR Manager/contact - Ed Carter 13 Custom House Quay, Weymouth T: 01305 838423 E: weymouthharbour@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk W: www.weymouth-harbour.co.uk
MDL QUEEN ANNE’S BATTERY Manager: Alex Warner Plymouth, Devon, PL4 0LP T: 01752 671142 E: qab@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.queenannesbattery.co.uk SUTTON HARBOUR MARINA Marina Manager: Mark Brimacombe Sutton Harbour, Plymouth PL4 0DW T: 01752 204702 E: marina@sutton-harbour.co.uk W: www.suttonharbourmarina.com
PREMIER PORTLAND MARINA Manager: Paul Swain Osprey Quay, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1DX T: 01305 866190 E: portland@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com LAKE YARD MARINA Manager/contact - Jenny Burrows Lake Drive, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4DT T: 01202 674531 E: office@lakeyard.com W: www.lakeyard.com
SUPERYACHT APPEAL
Image: Lewis Johnstone
Poole Harbour welcomed another two superyachts, Leviathan and Draak, with the vessels berthed stern-tostern at the port’s deep-water facility. At 111m, Leviathan made her second visit to Poole Harbour, having first visited last November, while the 93m Draak recently completed an extensive rebuild at Dutch shipyard Oceanco. The marina and Port of Poole teams worked closely with the vessels and their representatives throughout their stay to ensure all their requirements were met. This included the complex logistics of
berthing both yachts stern-to-stern alongside the berth, as well as other specialist services. Poole Harbour has welcomed 13 superyachts so far this year, accounting for 45 nights, with more expected before the end of the season. The port’s deep-water berth, South Quay, regularly accommodates a variety of vessels of up to 210m, from superyachts and cargo vessels to international ferries and ultra-luxury cruise ships. Its deep-water access is a key part of Poole Harbour’s growing superyacht offering.
MDL COBB’S QUAY MARINA Manager: Kelly Trewern Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4EL T: 01202 674299 E: cobbsquay@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.cobbsquaymarina.co.uk
MDL OCEAN VILLAGE MARINA Manager: Lauren McCann Marina Office, 2 Channel Way, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3TG T: 023 8022 9385 E: oceanvillage@mdlmarinas.co.u W: www.oceanvillagemarina.co.uk
MDL MERCURY YACHT HARBOUR Manager: Debbie Burns Satchell Lane, Hamble, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 4HQ T: 023 8045 5994 E: mercury@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.mercuryyachtharbour.co.uk
LYMINGTON YACHT HAVEN Manager: Rupert Wagstaff Kings Saltern Road, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 3QD T: 01590 677071 E: lymington@yachthavens.com W: www.yachthavens.com
MDL SHAMROCK QUAY Manager: Barry Radband William Street, Northam, Southampton Hampshire, SO14 5QL T: 023 8022 9461 E: shamrockquay@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.shamrockquay.co.uk
PREMIER MARINAS SWANWICK Manager: Graham Bristowe Swanwick (on the Hamble) Southampton, Hants, SO31 1ZL T: 01489 884081 E: swanwick@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com
BUCKLER’S HARD YACHT HARBOUR Harbour Master: Wendy Stowe Harbour Master’s Office, Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, Hampshire, SO42 7XB T: 01590 616200 E: harbour.office@beaulieu.co.uk W: www.beaulieuriver.co.uk
MDL SAXON WHARF Manager: Lauren McCann Lower York Street, Northam, Southampton, SO14 5QF T: 023 8033 9490 E: saxonwharf@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.saxonwharf.co.uk
HAMBLE YACHT SERVICES Port Hamble, Hamble,Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 4NN T: 02380 201501 E: info@hysgroup.co.uk W: www.hambleyachtservices.co.uk
HAVEN QUAY, LYMINGTON Manager: Matt Toms Haven Quay Dry Stack, Mill Lane, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9AZ T: 01590 677072 E: havenquay@yachthavens.com W: www.yachthavens.com
MDL HAMBLE POINT MARINA Manager: Dominic Brown School Lane, Hamble, Southampton Hampshire, SO31 4NB T: 023 8045 2464 E: hamblepoint@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.hamblepointmarina.co.uk
DEACONS MARINA BY BOATFOLK Contact name: Julie Spensley-Corfield Bursledon Bridge, Southampton, SO31 8AZ T: 023 80 402253 E: deacons@boatfolk.co.uk W: www.boatfolk.co.uk
MDL PORT HAMBLE MARINA Manager: Bertie Marsh Satchell Lane, Hamble, Southampton Hampshire, SO31 4QD T: 023 8045 274,1 E: porthamble@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.porthamblemarina.co.uk
PORT OF POOLE MARINA Manager: Kerrie Gray Poole Quay Boat Haven, Poole Town Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ T/F: 01202 649 488 E: info@poolequayboathaven.co.uk W: www.poolequayboathaven.co.uk SALTERNS MARINA LTD Manager: Robert Golden 40 Salterns Way, Lilliput, Poole, Dorset, BH14 8JR T: 01202 709971 E: reception@salterns.co.uk W: www.salterns.co.uk
MDL HYTHE MARINA VILLAGE Manager: Debbie Scott The Lock Building, Shamrock Way Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 6DY T: 023 8020 7073 E: hythe@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.hythemarinavillage.co.uk
TOWN QUAY MARINA Associated British Ports, Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2AQ T: 023 8023 4397 E: info@townquay.com W: www.townquay.com
PREMIER MARINAS UNIVERSAL Manager: Martin Bowman Crableck Lane, Sarisbury Green, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 7ZN T: 01489574272 E: universal@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com PREMIER HASLAR MARINA Manager: Ben Lippiett Haslar Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NU T: 023 9260 1201 F: 023 9260 2201 E: haslar@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com PREMIER MARINAS GOSPORT Manager: Jonathan Walcroft Mumby Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1AH T: 023 9252 4811 F: 023 9258 9541 E: gosport@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com
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AQUAVISTA’S SCOTTISH EXPANSION
MARINA INVESTMENT Premier Marinas has completed the first stage of its pontoon development programme at Falmouth Marina, following its commitment to invest £2million to improve the facilities by 2029. In December Premier Marinas began the development in partnership with pontoon specialists Walcon Marine. The initial four-month long development plan has seen the replacement of the 40-year-old pontoon along the main walkway with technology upgrades set to improve the services for berth holders throughout the marina. In addition to the capital investment, the marina has completed the first phase of a
dredging campaign to clear the access ways around the outside basin, creating easier access for vessels as they approach and enter the marina. The remaining investment will include further upgrades to existing pontoons and the addition of a new gangway from winter 2026. The project will continue to deliver sitewide improvements including upgrades to electrical points, lighting bollards, water, fuel and connectivity systems technology. Further improvement will see dredging continue throughout the marina and landside refurbishments to the communal areas such as the reception.
AROUND THE MARINAS Lymington Yacht Haven has a new live webcam on the Royal Lymington Yacht Club Starting Platform at the end of the Lymington River, offering live views of the Western Solent, giving sailors a comprehensive view of the sea state, weather conditions, visibility and traffic before heading out onto the water. The webcam can be viewed via the Lymington Yacht Haven website. A new towing boat, Pickle, has been put to work on the Beaulieu River to help the boatyard team meet the needs of berth and mooring holders. Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour’s barge Dextrous has also been undergoing a makeover in the new boatshed workshop and will be back at work on the river carrying out maintenance tasks for the autumn and winter. After a successful year of testing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) on its fleet of workboats, Falmouth Harbour has become one of the first UK coastal harbours to extend sale of the fuel to leisure and commercial boat owners - introducing a renewable alternative to conventional marine diesel. New Haven Marinas has acquired Scipio Creek Marina in Apalachicola, Florida, which is the company’s ninth marina across six states (adding to Oklahoma, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri).
The port of Dartmouth is fast becoming a port destination of choice for bunkering for commercial vessels, due to its resident fuel barge convenience and support of the Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority. This sheltered port, conveniently located on the Western Approaches to the English Channel, facilitated the delivery of nearly 100,000 litres of fuel to six visiting ships, including superyachts, Royal Navy vessels and the Paddle Steamer Waverley, over one week in August. MDL Marinas has appointed property professional Colin Lambert as its new Head of Estates, strengthening its property expertise as the business continues to invest in and develop its marina estate. Falmouth Harbour has recruited a Master Mariner and Marine Surveyor for training and familiarisation before becoming an Authorised Falmouth Pilot. Cornwall-born Captain James Gilbert will safely guide a wide range of commercial vessels through the busy harbour. Premier Marinas has delivered more than 37,000 complimentary visitor nights to berth holders during the current berthing year. The complimentary stays represent an estimated equivalent value of more than £1.6 million to customers, based on the average amount paid for a visitor night at each marina.
Aquavista CEO Steve de Polo said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Clyde Marina with its large boatyards, ideally positioned for Scotland’s world renowned west coast cruising grounds and islands. “It is a respected name within the Scottish marine industry, and we cannot wait to welcome its customers
and crew into the Aquavista family. Aquavista is all about giving customers more freedom to choose how, and where, they enjoy life on the water. “With Clyde Marina now part of the group, our boaters have access to all 34 Aquavista marinas, with Explore 100 and Marina Swap benefits opening up even more places to cruise, explore and unwind.” The marina is Aquavista’s first in Scotland, joining Glasson, Hull, Birdham Pool and Royal Clarence in a coastal network that now spans the north, east, south and west of Britain. As part of the acquisition, Sunbird International Yacht Sales will also join the Aquavista group, further strengthening its presence in the coastal marine tourism industry.
AQUAVISTA ROYAL CLARENCE WATERSIDE & MARINA Weevil Lane, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1AX T: 023 9252 3523 E: royalclarence@aquavista.com W: www.aquavista.com
COWES HARBOUR SHEPARDS MARINA Manager: Jock Rafferty Medina Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7HT T: 01983 297821 E: shepards.chc@cowes.co.uk W: cowesharbourshepardsmarina.co.uk
AQUAVISTA BIRDHAM POOL WATERSIDE & MARINA Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7BG T: 01243 512310 E: birdhampool@aquavista.com W: www.aquavista.com
PREMIER MARINAS PORT SOLENT Manager: Ben Boardman South Lockside, Port Solent, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 4TJ T: 023 9221 0765 F: 023 9232 4241 E: portsolent@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com
ISLAND HARBOUR MARINA Manager: Danie Erasmus Mill Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2LA T: 01983 539994 E: info@island-harbour.co.uk W:www.island-harbour.co.uk
LITTLEHAMPTON MARINA Berthing Manager: Darren Humphries Ferry Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DS T: 01903 713553 F: 01903 732264 E: sales@littlehamptonmarina.co.uk W: www.littlehamptonmarina.co.uk
Aquavista has announced the expansion of its marina portfolio with the acquisition of Clyde Marina in Ardrossan, Scotland. Located on the north Ayrshire coast, just 30 miles from Glasgow, Clyde Marina is situated at the heart of Scotland’s vibrant marine tourism industry.
PREMIER MARINAS SOUTHSEA Manager: Dave Frey Fort Cumberland Road Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 9RJ T: 023 9282 2719 F: 023 9282 2220 E: southsea@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com GUNWHARF QUAYS MARINA Manager: Carl Jarmaine Gunwharf Quays, Marina Office Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TZ T: 02392 836732 E: gwqmarina@incentive-fm.com W: www.gunwharf-quays.com/marina
ISLE OF WIGHT COWES YACHT HAVEN Manager: Katy Ednay Vectis Yard, High Street, Cowes, PO31 7BD T: 01983 299975 E: berthing@cowesyachthaven.com W: www.cowesyachthaven.com VHF: Channel 80 PREMIER EAST COWES MARINA Manager: Mike Townshend Britannia Way, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6UB T: 01983 293983 F: 01983 299276 E: eastcowes@premiermarinas.com W: premiermarinas.com
BEMBRIDGE HARBOUR Jack Miskin, Harbour Master The Duver, St Helens, PO33 1YB T: 01983 872828 E: mail@bembridgeharbour.co.uk W: www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk YARMOUTH HARBOUR Harbour Office, The Quay, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, PO41 0NT T: 01983 760321 E: info@yarmouth-harbour.co.uk W: www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk VHF: Ch 68 (harbour), Ch 15 (water taxi)
SOUTH EAST
LITTLEHAMPTON YACHT CLUB Rope House, Rope Walk Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5DH T: 01903 732 926 F: 01903 725 911 E: fiona@littlehamptonyachtclub.co.uk W: www.littlehamptonyachtclub.co.uk PREMIER MARINAS BRIGHTON Manager: Max Sinclair West Jetty, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 5UP T: 01273 819919 F: 01273 675082 E: brighton@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com
MDL NORTHNEY MARINA Manager: Tom Ward Northney Road, Hayling Island, PO11 0NH T: 023 9246 6321 E: northney@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.northneymarina.co.uk
PREMIER MARINAS EASTBOURNE Manager: Dan Heckford Sovereign Harbour, North Lockside, Pacific Drive, Eastbourne, BN23 5BJ T: 01323 470099 F: 01323 470077 E: sovereignharbour@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com SMALL BOATS WELCOME
MDL SPARKES MARINA Manager: James Rizzi 38 Wittering Road, Hayling Island Hampshire, PO11 9SR T: 023 9246 3572 E: sparkes@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.sparkesmarina.co.uk
NEWHAVEN MARINA Manager/Contact: Russell Levett Newhaven Marina, The Yacht Harbour, Fort Road, Newhaven, BN9 9BY T: 01273 513 881 E: info@newhavenmarina.co.uk W: www.newhavenmarina.co.uk
PREMIER MARINAS CHICHESTER Manager: Andrew Collumbell Birdham (Chichester Harbour) West Sussex, PO20 7EJ T: 01243 512731 E: chichester@premiermarinas.com W: www.premiermarinas.com
LADY BEE MARINA, SHOREHAM PORT Manager: Julian Goldie Lady Bee Marina and Chandlery, 138-140 Albion Street, Southwick, BN42 4EG T: 01273 591705 E: LBChandlery@shoreham-port.co.uk W:www.shoreham-port.co.uk/chandlery
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KENT
GILLINGHAM MARINA Manager: Chris Aldous 173 Pier Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1UB T: 01634 280022 E: berthing@gillingham-marina.co.uk W: www.gillingham-marina.co.uk MDL CHATHAM MARITIME MARINA Manager: Emma Powell The Lock Building, Leviathan Way, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4LP T: 01634 899200 E: chatham@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: chathammaritimemarina.co.uk MEDWAY YACHT CLUB Contact: Sue Bannister Lower Upnor, Rochester, ME2 4XB T: 01634 718399 W: www.medwayyachtclub.com Image: Shutterstock/ ishtar.ro
SUFFOLK MDL WOOLVERSTONE MARINA Manager: Shane Cheshire Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1AS T: 01473 780206 E: woolverstone@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk LOWESTOFT BEACON MARINA Manager: Lucy Edmonds School Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 9NB T: 01502 580300 E: lowestoftbeacon@abports.co.uk W: www.beaconmarinas.co.uk FOX’S MARINA & BOATYARD Marina Manager: Lee Gilson Fox’s Marina, Ipswich Suffolk IP2 8SA T: 01473 689111 E: foxs@foxsmarina.com W: www.foxsmarina.com
ESSEX
FAMBRIDGE YACHT HAVEN Manager: Danyal Adams Chelmsford, CM3 6LU T: 01621 740370 E: fambridge@yachthavens.com W: www.yachthavens.com
SURREY MDL PENTON HOOK MARINA Manager: Benedict Moran Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8PY T: 01932 568681 E: pentonhook@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.pentonhookmarina.co.uk
BERKSHIRE
MDL WINDSOR MARINA Manager: John Harris Maidenhead Road, Windsor Berkshire SL4 5TZ T: 01753 853911 E: windsor@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.windsormarina.co.uk MDL BRAY MARINA Manager: John Harris Monkey Island Lane, Bray Berkshire SL6 2EB T: 01628 623654 E: bray@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: www.braymarina.co.uk
LANCASHIRE
AQUAVISTA GLASSON WATERSIDE & MARINA School Lane, Glasson Dock, Lancaster, Lancashire LA2 0AW T: 01524 751491 E: glasson@aquavista.com W: www.aquavista.com Image: Shutterstock/ Avigator Fortuner
WALES
ABERYSTWYTH MARINA Manager: Adam Knowles Y Lanfa Aberystwyth, Trefechan SY23 1AS T: 01970 611422 E: aberystwythmarina@westernmarinas.co.uk W: www.westernmarinas.co.uk CARDIFF MARINA Manager: Andy Coles OBE Watkiss Way Cardiff CF11 0SY T: 02920 396078 E: cardiffmarina@westernmarinas.co.uk W: www.westernmarinas.co.uk CONWY MARINA Manager: Jon Roberts Conwy Marina, Ellis Way LL32 8GU T: 01492 593000 E: conwy@boatfolk.co.uk W: www.boatfolk.co.uk MILFORD MARINA Manager or contact: Melanie Durney Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire SA73 3AF Tel: 01646 696312 E: enquiries@milfordmarina.com W: www.milfordmarina.com PENARTH MARINA Manager: Stuart Jones Penarth Vale of Glamorgan F64 1TQ T: 02920 705021 E: penarth@boatfolk.co.uk W: www.boatfolk.co.uk
NEYLAND YACHT HAVEN Manager: James Cotton Brunel Quay, Pembrokeshire SA73 1PY T: 01646 601601 E: neyland@yachthavens.com W: www.yachthavens.com PORT DINORWIC MARINA Dock Manager: Kevin Roberts Y Felinheli, Gwynedd LL56 4JN T: 01248 671500 E: sharon@portdinorwic.co.uk W: www.port-dinorwic.co.uk BURRY PORT MARINA Harbour Master: Robert Hockey The Harbour Office, Burry Port Carmarthenshire T: 01554 835 691 E: Info@themarinegroup.co.uk W: www.themarinegroup.co.uk
N. IRELAND
BANGOR MARINA Manager: Kevin Baird Bangor, Co. Down T: 02891 45329 E: bangor@boatfolk.co.uk W: www.boatfolk.co.uk CARRICKFERGUS MARINA Harbour Master: Ryan Hack Marina Manager: Karen Steelen 3 Quayside, Carrickfergus BT38 8BJ T: 028 9336 6666 E: harbour.master@midandeastantrim.gov.uk W: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
BRISTOL
PORTISHEAD MARINA
Manager: Simon Davis Portishead, Bristol BS20 7DF T: 01275 841941 E: portishead@boatfolk.co.uk W: www.boatfolk.co.uk
NEWCASTLE ROYAL QUAYS MARINA
Manager: Keeran Stephenson North Shields, Tyneside NE29 6DU T: 01912 728282 E: royalquays@boatfolk.co.uk W: www.boatfolk.co.uk
YORKSHIRE AQUAVISTA HULL WATERSIDE & MARINA Warehouse 13, Kingston Street, Hull Yorkshire HU1 2DQ T: 01482 609960 E: hull@aquavista.com W: www.aquavista.com
LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL MARINA
Manager: Daniel O’Dea Liverpool Marina, Coburg Wharf, L34BP T: 0151 707 6777 E: reception@liverpoolmarina.com E: manager@liverpoolmarina.com W: www.liverpoolmarina.com
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SCOTLAND RHU MARINA Contact: Suzanne Bell Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LH T: 01436 820238 E: rhu@boatfolk.co.uk W: www.boatfolk.co.uk LARGS YACHT HAVEN Manager: Dave Hewitt Irvine Road, Largs Ayrshire KA30 8EZ T: 01475 675333 E: largs@yachthavens.com W: www.yachthavens.com TROON YACHT HAVEN Manager: Stephen Bennie The Harbour, Troon Ayrshire KA10 6DJ T: 01292 315553 E: troon@yachthavens.com W: www.yachthavens.com
SPAIN
ITALY
MDL SANT CARLES MARINA Manager: Nicolas Gonzalez Ctra Poble Nou s/n, Apartat de Correus 192, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain T: (0034) 9777 45153 T (UK): 023 8045 0227 E: enquiries@santcarlesmarina.com W: www.santcarlesmarina.com
MARINARA Front Desk: Federica Civilla Via Marinara 11, Marina di Ravenna, 48122 Italy T: (0039) 0544 531644 E: info@marinara.it W: www.marinara.it
THE NETHERLANDS JACHTHAVEN BIESBOSCH Manager: Maarten Voskuil Nieuwe Jachthaven 54924 BA, Drimmelen, NL T: +31 (0)162 682249 E: info@jachthavenbiesbosch.nl W: www.jachthavenbiesbosch.nl
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6x18.5mm DIN766 8x24mm DIN766 10x28 mm DIN766 10x30 mm ISO 12x36 mm ISO
2.5kg £14.95 4.5kg £22.65 316 S/S Voyager Anchor (DeltaType) 7kg £40.29 10kg £49.75 2kg £69.20 5kg £139.00 14kg £69.60 10kg £240.00 16kg £384.00 20kg £99.75 20kg £480.00 25kg £625.00
6kg £34.08 10kg £64.20 16kg £96.75 20kg £109.50 30kg £149.00
16mm Diam x 10mts £35.71 16mm Diam x 15mts £50.47 18mm Diam x 8mts £33.41 18mm Diam x 10mts £40.13 18mm Diam x 15mts £56.93 20mm Diam x 8mts £42.65 20mm Diam x 10mts £51.50
Titan 316 Stainless Chain
New Ball Joint assembly with easy to replace rubber pads
Boarding Fender
Ratchet Strap 6m x 5 Tonne
White or Navy
£9.95
45cm x 12cm
£39.95 each
Carriage = £12.50 up to 10kg & £15.00 up to 30kg All prices include vat Goods weighing more than 30kg, carriage quoted at time of order. at 20% and correct Carriage charge is to most UK mainland destinations only. Please email or call for at time of print. Scottish Highlands & Isles, English Islands, N Ireland & Eire, Plus European destinations.
25 YEARS OF ALL AT SEA OCTOBER 2026
38 To distribute All at Sea for free: www.allatsea.co.uk/getthepaper
Into the Drink
with Susannah Hart
AUTUMNAL ALES A brewery takeover at the local taproom fuelled our drinks columnist Susannah Hart’s passion for both ale and maritime heritage.
A
s the temperature drops and the whiff of woodsmoke tinges the evening air, my thoughts always turn to embracing the cooler autumn months and enjoying the simple pleasures that come into their own at this time of the year. One such pleasure is a pint of ale while tucked inside a warm and cosy pub. Craft breweries have transformed British food and drinks culture over the last few decades. A transformation which has accelerated in recent years, bringing forth more flavourful beers, seasonal releases - and more taprooms. Fed up with trying to find a pint locally where the focus was not serving overpriced food, I was delighted when the Seafire Taproom opened on the High Street. No food. Just a seriously good selection of ales. Cask, keg and bottle. The menu changes regularly, but there are always one or two from Gosport’s Powder Monkey Brewing Co. The name, for those not in the know, is a tribute
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to the young sailors who carried gunpowder from the deep magazine to the gun deck on old naval warships. It is not just the brewery’s name that celebrates naval history. Many of its beer’s names are also a nod to the area’s maritime past, as I discovered when the brewery took over the taproom one Friday evening. For someone with a fascination for all things nautical, past and present, the challenge was where to begin in the search for the perfect autumnal ale. A pint is quite a commitment and, as Shakespeare so succinctly put it ‘What’s in a name?’. Thankfully, for the indecisive - or commitment phobic - amongst us, Seafire, like all good taprooms, serves tasting paddles: any three cask or keg ales in one-third pint glasses, presented on a wooden paddle. Still not an easy decision, but certainly an easier one. Tasting etiquette suggests the lighter ales should be sampled first. Whether or not I managed this correctly or not, my tastebuds were certainly given a treat.
Brass Monkey NZ Pale Ale
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Crossword C L I E N T E L E S W H N A N N I T R E M I T O I I L K W E L G A R R R L M Y I E L D E V E R T L A A L I D I O C Y M A L I G N B U M I C H U N K A M I N U S N R U N U P I I R T O A I B I G O N N U M B R I A N E E A N A L G E S I A
Answer: CORVETTE
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Next came Drop Anchor, a rich amber Vienna Pale Ale that is smooth, well-rounded and effortlessly drinkable. It is the sort of ale you could happily enjoy whiling away an autumn afternoon in a cosy corner of your favourite pub.
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Empress is a proper British IPA with plenty of character. Floral and earthy hop aromas are followed by toasty malt flavours before a satisfyingly bitter finish. At 5.9% ABV it is a little more robust than the others but does not feel heavy – just rather moreish.
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Sudoku: Easy
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And I have just spotted they have brewed a Pieces of Eight Mince Pie Barley Wine too. That sounds like one for the Christmas column... watch this space. ■
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And there are still so many left to try. It seems I will just have to make several Sunday lunchtime visits to the taproom this autumn until I have sampled them all, satisfying not only my tastebuds but also my fascination with ships, sailors and naval history.
“For someone with a fascination for all things nautical, past and present, the challenge was where to begin in the search for the perfect autumnal ale”
Empress British IPA
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Drop Anchor Gosport Vienna Pale Ale
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ANSWERS TO PUZZLES
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A bright golden colour, this is a wonderfully refreshing hazy pale ale featuring New Zealand hops. Tropical fruit aromas and citrus flavours are balanced by a malty, slightly bitter – but very appealing – finish. A third of a pint was certainly not enough.
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Sudoku: Moderate
Sudoku: Tough
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Wordwheel: INCARNATE
All puzzles © Puzzle Press Ltd (www.puzzlepress.co.uk)
S U B M A R I N E P A R S E L U I M X A E M A N A G R A M P O G L E R L M G M A I H T F L A T L Y H E D G E H O G O N J L S D E C O R A T I V E F A Z E E T V W X N M R G A L A U N D E R B E L L Y A R C U I T R U A N T U P H O L D E R P Q P R C I O C P L U M A G E K E B A B A E I L E L L O K E N R O L M I N C E M E A T
MAKE
OF WINTER SAVE UP TO 50% ON WINTER OFFERS Quiet mornings. Clear skies. Familiar faces at the marina. And the freedom to enjoy your boat whenever the moment takes you. Who says boating is just for summer? We’ve brought together Winter Berthing and Boatyard Offers across selected MDL Marinas, with savings of up to 50%. So whether you’re looking for a new place to berth or getting your boat ready for the adventures ahead, why not spend this winter doing more of what you love? Otium Rewards member? You can use your existing points towards our Winter Offers too. Explore our Winter Offers at mdlmarinas.co.uk/winter or call 0845 600 1813 Savings vary by marina, boat length and product. Terms apply.
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Poole Town Quay, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HJ t: 01202 649488 | poolequayboathaven.co.uk
SWINGING MOORINGS
VISITOR MARINA
Relax with a glass of wine, on a sunny afternoon, on your own swinging mooring in Poole Harbour overlooking Brownsea Island. Away from the madding crowd, these offer you ultimate privacy, peace & tranquillity.
125 visitor berths all year for vessels up to 75m in length and up to 4.8m draft On the Port estate we can accommodate vessels up to 210m in length with a maximum draft of 9m.
VHF Channel 80 call sign “Poole Quay Boat Haven”