Coastguard Update

Dave Miller and Mike Day from the Maritime Coastguard Agency brought a wide audience from Saundersfoot and Tenby up to date with the changes that their organisation is adopting. The size of their remit was brought into focus when we were told of the 1.25 million square miles of sea and 11,232 miles of coastline under the control of 10 centres, including a new headquarters at Fareham. Some 3,500 coast rescue officers are involved in the UK. A major change to search and rescue will occur by April 2015 when the coastguard take over the helicopter service from the MOD with new faster and better equipped aircraft with local bases at Cardiff and Newquay in Cornwall replacing Chivenor. Adoption of state-of-the-art technology will allow rescue activities to be managed from any of the centres across the UK so that resources can be more effectively utilised across the entire organisation. Whilst this means that an incident off our Pembrokeshire coast could be managed from any of the other UK centres, local knowledge will remain and be deployed 'on the ground' - or 'on the water' as it were - to ensure efficient operation. coastguards continue to welcome the routine of sailors advising them of intended voyages or racing activities with the important proviso of ensuring that the completion of the activity is also reported. Adoption of DSC radios to replace old technology, together with the use of the CG66 scheme to register details of cruisers was also encouraged.

Social Programme

The club is open and all members and guests are welcome every Friday evening for a pleasant chat and drinks in friendly company.

Volunteers to help with the social side of the club would be warmly welcomed. Any ideas for a Fitting Out Supper replacement or any other activities that members would enjoy are invited. Please contact Martin on (01834) 812985 or by email at [email protected]">[email protected]

Pre-season Race Briefing

Sailors please note there will be a pre-season briefing at the club house at 7 pm on Friday, April 4, for everyone involved in club dinghy racing this year. All dinghy sailors and volunteers for safety boat and OOD duty for the 2014 season are urged to attend please.

There will be free nibbles for all and soft drinks for the younger members.

Maintenance

Only two weeks to go now to the start of the club racing! Have you gone over all your equipment to prepare it for the new season? Perhaps the review of the cups and awards intended this year, could include one for the most embarrassing breakage during the first outings of the season - or maybe this should be a penalty rather than an award! don't let it be you!

Membership

In order to help club finances and because of strong demand on space in the boat park, members will remember that they voted at the last AGM for renewal payments to be made by March of each year.

If you have inadvertently overlooked your renewal this year, please send your application and payment now, as boat spaces are being reallocated and non members are being asked to remove any craft in the boat park.

Skipper's Mate