A series of advanced splicing tutorials by Marlow Ropes is being released throughout the summer and begins with a demonstration of the Eye Splice (where most of the strength is provided by the core and the cover provides its protection).

Eye Splice Tutorial

https://www.marlowropes.com/splicing-instructions

Lymington

22-23 June 2019

The World Cruising Club are hosting a free bluewater cruising weekend at Berthon Marina in Lymington to discuss all aspects of 'living the dream'.   A wide range of offshore cruising boats will be available together with experts in re-fits, sails, communications & boat equipment.

There will be a parallel series of seminar presentations including preparations for the ARC 2019 or beyond and an opportunity to chat with experienced offshore skippers.   Ocean Safety will highlight key considerations such as liferafts, lifejackets, EPIRBs and other items needed for crossing the oceans.

An optional Sailing Supper at LTSC, just a short walk away, is available on the Saturday evening.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged as capacity is limited.

www.worldcruising.com/training

The cruise berthed in the excellent Mayflower Marina on Wednesday 12th June. 

Quickstep kindly hosted everyone for tea and cake on the warmest afternoon so far. 

The marina manager was so impressed he took some pictures from the office and in return the staff enjoyed some cake with us.

Charity Event

This charity fund-raising pursuit (NOT a race) takes place on Saturday 15th June 2019 and is open to all sailing yachts.

A memorable day out, the course runs from Portsmouth to the Nab Tower and finishes near Gilkicker Point with prize-giving and BBQ celebrations at Hornet Joint Services Sailing Club, Haslar Creek, Gosport.

The charity supports 10 young people from Gosport each year for sail training on the 60’ SY ‘Discovery’.   Full details & conditions of entry at https://gosportmarinescene.com/event.

Research data

Argo is an international underwater research program to monitor the oceans’ temperature, salinity, currents and bio-optical properties.

Operating since the early 2000s as a collaborative partnership of more than 30 countries from all continents, almost 4000 drifting ‘Argofloats’ have now been deployed worldwide and colour-coded by the country owning the float:-

Drifting at a 'parking depth’ of 1000 metres, the velocity of currents is calculated from the distance and direction a float drifts. Programmed to change buoyancy every 10 days, the floats dive to a depth of 2000 metres and then move up to the surface whilst measuring conductivity, temperature and pressure to calculate the oceans’ salinity and density.

Data, on surfacing, is then transmitted ashore via satellite and is freely available to everyone without restriction.

Best not bump into one!

https://youtu.be/WGbanFvBX38

Club members can enjoy a 20% discount on berthing fees at Cherbourg's Chantereyne Marina by showing their membership card at the marina office.

Membership cards are obtained from the Club website by opening your Profile to either:-

download an image of the card to your smartphone, or:-

download a PDF document from which the card can be printed and then cut out.

While you are at it, update all your Profile information, if necessary, by clicking on the 'Edit profile' button.

Contact the airline ahead of your flight to obtain clearance and ensure your cabin luggage gas-inflated lifejacket passes through security without difficulty:- 

“Passengers may carry certain articles... not classified as dangerous.”

www.iata.org

RYA SafeTrx 

'RYA SafeTrx' is a free mobile app that now supersedes the 'CG66' voluntary safety identification scheme.   The app can be downloaded from the App Store onto your mobile device and your boat registered if you wish to take part.   

www.rya.org.uk

RYA & RORC ‘Go Dutch’

An increased interest in two-person offshore sailing events such as the Olympics, the World Championships and the Fastnet Race has prompted the RYA and Royal Ocean Racing Club to double up and help develop double-handed offshore sailing in the UK.

www.rya.org.uk/news