Minutes 17 April 2007

Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 17th April 2007 at Swanage Sailing Club

Committee Members Present: Roger Marsh, Mike Hadley, Mark Rowley, John Lucas, Amanda Rowley, Pete Williams, Pat Collins, John Taylor
Apologies: Tom Greasty, Martin Slater,

Roger Marsh, Chairman, welcomed everyone and ran through the agenda for the meeting and also informed everyone that the Associations address was to be at the Pier gates office.

Condor Swell: Roger Marsh updated everyone that this issue was now in the hands of the council and that they were monitoring the tidal wash.

Boat Park:
John Lucas reported that the barrier at the exit of the boat park was going to be cut back in the next couple of weeks.
He informed the meeting that if anyone has a problem with rocks on the slipway when they are launching then they should report it to Mike at the Boat yard or the tourist information office then the council will look into it and get them removed.
The ladders on the jetties are going to be repaired as they are loose at the moment.
Everyone felt that the price increase of the launch fee was too much (from £10 2006 to £25 this year) The Association will write a letter to Town Council expressing that this increase is not acceptable and suggested that everyone else who felt this way should also write in to council.
The idea for a season ticket to launch was rejected at the Boat park meeting and again it was suggested that the Association and others present should write to the council to reconsider.
The Association request for better signage at the Boat Park has been taken up to Purbeck District Council for funding.
Mike Hadley informed the meeting that the council may consider offering the Boat Park out to tender and if anyone was interested in taking over the running of it they should get in touch with the council.
Mike also mentioned the proposed plans for an entry barrier to the Boat Park which would stop people launching when the entry office was unmanned is still on the agenda but lack of funding has but it on hold for the time being.

5 knot buoys / Moorings:
The 5 knot buoys are scheduled to be laid week before Whitsun.
John Lucas presented a chart of the bay to the meeting of the Associations proposed sitings of the 5 knot buoys for this season, along with GPS positions for the buoys.
The suggested positions of the buoys was 0.2 nautical miles off the shoreline, running from the last groyne at Sheps Hollow along to Geoff Marsh’s boat, 0.2 nautical miles from Peveril point.
Mike Cemm from Swanage Sailing Club pointed out that the club had extra moorings this year, which were outside the proposed 5 knot area and they would like us to extend the area further out to include these moorings. Mike to supply John with the GPS positions and John will revised the plan of the buoys on the chart then take to meeting with Mike Goater of PDC.
Mike Hadley informed us that the costings the council had received for the buoys and laying of them was £620 per buoy and invited anyone that may be able to reduce this cost to get in touch with the council.
It was discussed about increasing the swimming area or the possibility of introducing a second zone; however we were made aware that these areas can cause problems for the lifeboat due to the buoys being so close together.

Unmarked buoyant nets / Store pots: The unmarked storage pots are still causing a problem so it was proposed that Roger would talk to the Swanage Boatmen to see if they would agree to leaving a clear channel from slipway and pier, which we can also mark on chart & supply to everyone.

Leaflets: Committee had suggested the production of a general bay guidelines leaflet to be distributed from Boat Park, Ocean Bay and Tourist information centre to all bay users and visiting craft. Mike Hadley reported that there was no funding available.

Marine Police: Tony Tester from Dorset Marine Police gave a presentation on the responsibilities of the Marine Police and how they patrol Swanage Bay.
He informed the meeting that they patrol the area from Christchurch to Lyme Bay and that 60% of their time is spend in the Poole/Bournemouth/Swanage area and operate between 8am to 10/12pm, so they are usually on hand if we require them.
There are six officers and three craft.

How to call them
VHF channel 16 - Police RIB
VHF channel 14 – Poole Harbour Channel
VHF channel 0 – Coastguard
If you see a serious incident where someone is injured or is going to be injured call 999
01202 222222 is the control room number or if the call is not urgent call 01202 223323 and leave a message and Tony will get back to you, usually the next day.
Beach wardens hotline number is 01929 423666

He also clarified other areas of responsibility for the marine police.
If you have a theft from your boat on the water you should contact the marine police, if it’s a theft from your boat on the land then contact your local police.
If you have a problem with any floating or submerged items in the water or obstructions you should contact the marine police to deal with it.

When asked about alcohol limits for boaters he clarified that there are enforcements for commercial boats but currently no drink limits for leisure craft.

Tony was also asked about increased levels of police presence on the water he pointed out that in 2012 this area will have a lot of marine activity and will require more presence but in the meantime we should lobby the Chief Constable of Dorset for more. A vote was taken for the Association to write a letter and encourage others to do so too.

Enforcement Officer: Look into feasibility of a full time water based enforcement officer for Swanage Bay in summer time or providing John Taylor with dedicated branded boat for use in patrolling bay. Tony suggested that if we could persuade the Council to fund a Personal Watercraft for the officer to use, the marine police could provide training for the officer.
Roger thanked Tony very much for his presentation and for taking the time to come over to talk to us.

Council issues: Mike Hadley briefly ran through some issues recently considered by the council. Consideration is being given to putting a sign on the end of the pier re speed limits/contact numbers/etc.; Beach Awareness week is Sat 26 May — Sat 2 June; Lifeboat week is Sun 12 August — Sun 19th August; the council would like to hear any ideas on how to capitalise on the 2012 Olympics; the problems of possible seagull attack and mess is being reviewed by Health and Safety, and may lead to signs advising not to feed the seagulls; there is a proposal to consider a measured walk along the sea front.

Other business:
Beach: Concerns were raised over current state of beach. Pat Clark reported that mud has been dumped on the beach below The Pines, Mike Hadley to get details and investigate.
Ocean bay: Pat Clark wanted to know whether vehicles were allowed to be parked on the beach at Ocean Bay and about the storage of petrol cans on the beach. She was advised that petrol can were no longer being stored on the beach at Ocean Bay and enquiries would be made regarding the vehicles.

Dates for your diary:
Beach Management Committee meeting: 18th May 2.30pm