Friday, January 18, 2008

Olympic opportunities?

The Olympics are really not too far away, with the Olympics in general and the Sailing Olympics in Weymouth , in particular, attracting hundreds of thousands of people. I've heard estimates of 40,000 journalists alone, and 2000 spectator yachts expected at Weymouth, with people from over 60 countries. Although the Sailing Olympics take place in 2012, there will be major "test events " in 2010 and 2011. There are opportunities for all sorts of businesses to get involved, and to benefit during the events as well as before and beyond. I'm trying to arrange a presentation in Swanage, but meanwhile,if you think you or business could benefit, you might be interested in two things: free training and registering as a potential supplier. To register as a supplier, see: http://www.competefor.com and https://etenders.london2012.com . For training, see: http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/sharingtheflame/

Monday, May 21, 2007

Daily Launch charges

You will be pleased to know that at the Council meeting on 21st May it was agreed to offer residents a 25% discount on daily launch fees (of boats and pwcs). I can't say exactly when this will come into effect (but I assume pretty soon), or precisely how a resident is defined (though I believe it will mean a Purbeck address). Other fees remain unchanged. (Mike Hadley)

Saturday, May 19, 2007

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

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Meeting 17th April 2007


Swanage Bay users
Originally uploaded by m.hadley.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Meeting Tuesday 17 April

Next meeting Tuesday 17th April 2007 at Swanage Sailing Club 8pm.
If you have any concerns about Swanage Bay or would like to join the Association and help maintain safety and harmony with in the Bay. Please come along and join us... the bar is open! More information at http://swanagebayusersassociation.blogspot.com/

Joe Tearall from Dorset Marine Police has agreed to attend the next meeting on Tues 17th April and she will do a small presentation on police enforcement in the Swanage Bay area.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Meeting 18 October 2006

Swanage Bay Users Association
Minutes of meeting
Held on Wednesday 18th October at Swanage Sailing Club.



Apologies for absence: Sue & David Chalcroft, Mike Marsh, Terry Warren, Tom Greasty, Adam, Jeremy & Simon Wylie.

Present: Roger Marsh, Mike Hadley, Mark Rowley, John Lucas, Steve Turner. Martin Slater, Sarah Broadway, Anthony Burgess, Amanda Rowley, Will Gibson, Yasmin Marsh, Pete Williams, Pat Collins, Christopher Rabson. Martin Jones

Opening: Chairman, Roger Marsh opened the meeting & read a letter he had sent to the Beach management committee

Appointments: The members appointed Mark Rowley as Treasurer, John Lucas as Deputy Chairman & Amanda Rowley as secretary. Pete Williams & Pat Collins were voted onto the committee.

Web site: Mike Hadley reported that there is now a Swanage Bay Users Association web site up and running in the form of a blog spot where visitors can post their comments about any related issues. www.swanagebayuserassociation.blogspot.com

Contacts: All members were asked to update the records of contact details to include email addresses.

Constitution: the members approved the draft constitution for the Association unanimously


Issues raised:

Condor Swell: to contact beach inspectors for their opinions on issue. Martin & Roger have kept logs of particularly high swells.

Moorings: The Sailing Club and commercial operators as particularly keen to have clearer guidelines, prompt leases renewals and accurate positions for moorings in the bay. Roger Marsh explained the different areas of the bay and which Associations are responsible for moorings in these areas. Action: Letter to be sent to Moorings Associations for clarification of procedures for leases on moorings.

Unmarked buoyant nets: The issue was raised of the visibility and the dangerous nature of buoyant nets that are left in the bay. Members would like to know where they stand in the event of an accident or damage to their craft by running into one of these nets. Action: Letter to Fisherman’s Association requesting more visible markings of nets and to log the Associations concerns.

Slipway: It was expressed that the standards of maintenance of the slipway are not always consistent and at Spring tides the slipway can be covered in rocks, which are not moved promptly by the council and makes launching difficult especially when fee is paid to launch. Action: Letter to council expressing concern.

Slipway: Idea for council to introduce a park & launch scheme. Members noted that it is not always easy to find a parking space for their towing vehicle after they have launched. Therefore their launched craft can be left tied to the slipway wall for a long time and therefore blocking other users whilst they try & find a parking space. Action: Recommend to council allocating spaces in car park, Boat Park or fishermen’s spaces for towing vehicles of boats that have paid to launch at the Boat Park.

Signage: Numerous issues were raised about inadequate signage around the bay & the boat park as both informative for visiting craft to area and for safety, including an explanation of diver marker flags at slipway.

Divers markers: Pat & Pete to supply details of the meanings of the flags which will be posted on web site.

Security: Concerns were raised over the security at the Boat Park especially from the peir onwards to the sheds. Pat / Pete to look into cameras

Fundraising: John Lucas suggested fundraising both on behalf of the Association such as approaching the Carnival committee and as the Association on behalf of local charities

Five knot Buoys: The members felt that the buoys were not visible enough, the position of the buoys is not standard each year with members expressing concern that the buoys seem to be creeping further down to Sheps Hollow.

(Minutes: Amanda Rowley)

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Marina (again!)

See "Keeping Swanage afloat" on

http://www.swanageview.blogspot.com/#116299185050560255

Thursday, August 17, 2006

What's it all about?

1. This meeting was held on 19 July, following an ad placed by Roger Marsh in the Advertiser asking interested people to gather at the Sailing Club.There was general debate about the point of the meeting.

2. Roger explained how his initial concern was for a way for people to exchange views and information. His first thoughts had been for those with commercial interests, but the meeting debated the scope and agreed there was value in a group that represented everyone with an interest in the bay. This included commercial boat users, fisherman, boat hirers, businesses around the shoreline, sailors, swimmers, RNLI, Coastguard, divers....

3. Mike Hadley (Swanage Town Councillor) pointed out that the Council already has a Swanage Beach Committee with apparently similar aims, and there is a danger of duplicating effort and getting wires crossed. But the meeting seemed to feel there was value in this separate body.

4. It was agreed to initially make a list of some topics that were of interest to people, to get a measure of the scope of issues. These could then be addressed at a later meeting. Topics included:
1/Constitution: someone (?) agreed to speak with Steve Williams about this, to take his experience from the Sailing/Rowing? Club
2/Safety in the bay
3/Water-ski area: zoning?
4/Boat park: access/barrier?
5/Boat park: channel from slipway?
6/Store pots: ??
7/Divers' markers : smb
8/Speed restriction buoys, extent
9/Fishermens sheds
10/Parking for concession owners
11/Seagulls mess on seats in square & quay and on boats; danger (pecking)in Square
12/Moorings policy/procedure

5. Names and contact details were taken of those present: to be recorded separately

6. Subscription. It was agreed that members should pay £5 towards admin, and £150 was raised at the meeting. Roger Marsh was refunded £50 for the cost of the ad he placed.
Names of paid-up members to be recorded separately

Members

Do members want their names and contact details (phone numbers/email addresses) posted here. My feeling is probably best not, otherwise coudl end up with all sorts getting in touch. What do you think?

Subscriptions

Subscriptions of £5 were received from:
Roger Marsh x 2; M.Rowley;John Taylor;Will Gibson; Jeremy Wylie; Simon Wylie; Pete William; Mike Marsh; Will Gibson; John Lucas; Sarah Broadway; Andrew Burgess; Dick Woodford; Terence Carey; Sue Carey; Mike Hadley; David Chalcraft; Terry Warren; Les Marshal;Jason O'Connell; Dave Bowden; Justin Stream; Paul Mc Donald: Steven Turner; Barry England; Adam Wylie; Martin Jones; Tom Greasty; Julian Walken, Chris Rabson
Total received: £150 (held by ??!) less £50 paid to R. Marsh for ad announcing meeting

apologies for any misspellings...

Committee

The following were elected to the committee:

Roger Marsh: Chairman
John Lucas
John Taylor
Mark Rowley
Tom Greasty
Mike Hadley (agreed to represent the Council. However, later advised that a councillor has to be elected by other council members to represent the council's interest on any outside body. To be discussed at STC)

Thursday, July 20, 2006

NEW SUBJECT

If you have a new topic you would like to raise, please post it as a 'comment' here. You can include your name with your posting, or create a 'blogger' account.