Chris Marchant and I, as representatives of the Club, attended
a special meeting organised by the Medway Yachting Association
(MYA) with the intention of bringing all river users together
to raise awareness of the problems other users have whilst navigating
on the Medway. Several points were made which I think it would
be useful for you to be aware of:
You are advised to keep your VHF radio tuned to Medway Radio on Ch74 so that you are aware of shipping movements.
If you are close to a ship and you cannot see the bridge windows, they can't see you either and will be worrying about your safety. Large ships are severely restricted in their movements so do not cross in front of them and make your intentions clear as early as possible.
Scullers use the river between Upnor and Rochester Bridge. Their craft have very low freeboard and are very sensitive to excessive wash, even from a small tender with outboard motor, so reduce your speed whilst passing them.
Fishing vessels trawling are not able to change course quickly, so don't get in their way or tack close in front of them. They show a basket on their mast whilst they are trawling.
Give a wide berth to all tugs towing or pushing lighters and again, do not pass close in front of them.
Lower Halstow Yacht Club have requested that you use an anchor light if moored overnight in Stangate Creek as they have difficulty navigating through all the anchored boats which are very hard to see because of the lights of Thamesport in the background.
Make sure your safety equipment is up to standard and your flares are not out of date. You can get a free safety check from the RNLI.
Please observe all of the above points and help keep our river one of the safest in the country. Please report any craft acting dangerously or irresponsibly to Medway Radio on Ch74.
There is soon to be an agreement between Clubs, Medway Ports and River Pilots as to the standardisation of flags shown by race safety boats. We will let you know when this happens.
Have a safe and enjoyable season,
Jean-Pierre Declémy Rear Commodore
24/04/2004
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