The forecast was for light winds but warmer than the arctic spring we have endured.
In fact, it was "Champagne Sailing". Anyone who did not come because of the forecast missed a treat. Outside of the harbour, the wind was 4 knots but inside, the sea breeze gave us 14 knots in the sun. Registration was very swift thanks to the online booking and no grubby notes had to change hands. Tracey Lee, our vice commodore welcomed us to the first open meeting at Poole for a long time. Race Officer Steve Thompson led a superb team and explored our stamina with 4 races on the Saturday (in case the forecast for Sunday came true) and 2 on Sunday similarly perfect conditions. 15 Ospreys set off 5 minutes ahead of the 3 Fireballs on each occasion with very little waiting between races and perfect reaches, occasioning many whoops of joy.

Matt Burge and Vyv Townend took the honours with 3 firsts and 3 seconds, narrowly edging Terry Curtis and Peter Grieg into second place whose 6th and a discarded 8th places to held them back. Previous victors, Piers Strong and Phil Angrave were third coming fairly consistently second or third but were hampered by a seventh place in the first race and fifth in the third race.

Places changed very frequently and there was competition throughout the fleet, with a few Poole boats battling it out at the rear but having no less fun. When asked what happened in the races quite a few competitors admitted to knowing they had enjoyed a memorably wonderful series of races but the details were a blur. This was possibly due to the salt-water spray we enjoyed on the reaches.

Mike Atkinson was most upset to find his sail obeying the laws of gravity during the third race but in the end, it was academic as he had failed to follow the laws of starting (he was OCS). Robber’s Alley treated us to a spectacular capsize as their new spinnaker ropes escaped from their cleats. Pete Smith decided to exchange Osprey Sailing for a spot of water skiing when his trapeze wire snapped. Basher did not seem to notice and carried on regardless. It was probably the crew’s fault anyway! Ian Hart and Andy Edmonds were desperate to climb up the rankings but their equipment put them out of the final race, just as they were about to reach warp speed on the reach. Nick Willis, with local guest helm, Andy Brewer, were never far from the front, and showed great form given that they met for the first time on Saturday morning. Also, Roger and Jamie Blake showed their potential with a couple of really strong races, including leading the fleet around the first 2 laps of race 3, until a couple of shifts went against them.

One very welcome competitor was Richard Hartley who joined his son Mark and came seventh overall. We are eternally indebted to Hartley Laminates for injecting new life into our fleet and delighted to hear Richard saying that he enjoyed it so much he would be back. He also put in a plug for his (excellent) boats!

The Fireball's under Derian and Andy Scott had hoped for a strong fleet but in the end only 3 boats joined us. They contacted the rest of their fleet to tell them what they had missed. Derian and Andy won all of their 6 races. It was great to sail with the Fireballs and in the hope that Covid fears will be gone by next year, we have pencilled in a repeat event, dates to be confirmed

Proposals may well affect you and our boating

In a stakeholder discussion on 18th March the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) announced that they plan to introduce a no anchor zone, covering at least the seagrass area where most leisure boats anchor, in this 2021 season. It will effectively ban anchoring in much of the southern half of Studland bay.

In that meeting an assertive consensus was expressed for providing recreational access, probably through moorings, and an introduction over a longer timescale. This came from broad range of interested parties and an academic source.

There will be a public discussion hosted by the Dorset Coast Forum on Thursday 25th March at 7pm. If you feel strongly about this issue you can attend and read about it by going to https://www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk/studland-bay-mcz

Read More about Studland MCZ

The Dorset Coast Forum web page gives a broad description and as you scroll down the right hand side of the webpage you will see some relevant documents and a link to register to attend.

Response prepared by Brian Snelgrove (Sailing Committee and General Committee) and Howard Davidson (Volunteer Consultant)

Update to Poole YC members as at 28th February 2021

The MMO have reviewed the response to their request for evidence on the Studland Bay MCZ. Their email is appended and many of you who made individual submissions will have received your own copy. The email has a link to the MMO website where all their lasted published information is displayed. There is much detail on their site and we have tried to condense it

What are the key points

The MMO documents are extensive and cover anchoring, mooring, speed, diving, PWC, all subsea types etc. They have now concluded they currently only need to address the risks from anchoring. They believe the evidence shows that it has an impact on the sea grass beds, and consequentially the health of the sea horse population. The options that they are considering could range from voluntary no anchor zones through to a total ban on anchoring

They have concluded that the current moorings ( 13 ) are not numerous enough to cause a problem and they are therefore not going to take any action. They have said that any proposals for increased mooring would have to go through their normal application process to be checked that they will not damage the conservation interests. They have indicated they are willing to work with interested parties to look at new moorings.

What is the next stage

The MMO next want to engage in a focused discussion with all stake holders to examine the way forward. In early March they will be setting up a virtual forum with all interested stakeholders. We will keep you posted. If you sent a response to the December MMO request, you should be invited.

This discussion is intended to allow them to come to a conclusion on the detailed actions they will take.

What is the Club doing?

We have had a meeting RYA and PYA. The RYA have said that they are happy to take the lead in putting forward recreational boating interests. We will continue to work with them and other interested parties. We now need to wait for the MMO’s invitation and their more detailed opinions

What do you need to do

If you are invited to join the consultation please do. If you want to see what the MMO said about your individual comments you can see this in their FAQ section by following the link in their email below.

While we wait for the next MMO communication you may still have comments. Please email them to training@pooleyc.co.uk where they will be collated.

Summary position.

The club recognises that having a fantastic natural environment on our door step is something that we should cherish. We believe that the best way forward now will continue to work positively with the MMO and other parties. We would want to press upon them that the Yacht Club community want to find a way forward that allows us to continue anchor or moor in Studland Bay in a way that is compatible with allowing the sea grass and sea horses to flourish.

In case you are not aware below is important information about flare disposal.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has opened a new consultation on the disposal of pleasure vessel marine flares, and is inviting comments on four suggested options.

The consultation specifically focuses on flares carried on board leisure vessels and does not include those carried on board vessels used for commercial activities.

The options are:

1. Allowing the current contract to expire with no further action.
2. Continuation of the existing disposal service.
3. Creation of a fully regulated framework for disposal of flares.
4. Creation of similar existing disposal arrangements by the pleasure vessel industry.

The consultation period will run until 15 March 2021. You can respond to the consultation by downloading the response form and emailing this form to TEPconsultation@dft.gov.uk.

The “Lilla” Salver is awarded annually by the Flag Officers to a Club member or group of members who have made an outstanding contribution or achievement to our Club during the previous year. It will be awarded at our AGM in March 2021.
The award is for achievements or contributions for the period January – December 2020.

Any Club member from any membership category is eligible to receive the award. Members of the General Committee and Club Employees are not eligible. The eligibility criteria encompass any outstanding contribution or achievement. e.g., An outstanding contribution to volunteering, a truly exceptional racing result, exceptional assistance to other members etc.

Whatever the reason for nomination, the person or persons nominated will have made a positive contribution to other members in the Club or will have put our Club in the spotlight in a very positive manner.

Our members will decide who they wish to nominate and submit such nominations to the Flag Officers. The Flag Officers will consider all nominations received and their decision will be announced at the AGM and the “Lilla” Salver awarded.

How to nominate a member for the Flag Officers “Lilla” Salver:

• Two members must propose the nominee.
• There must be a statement for proposing the nominee.
• The statement must be no longer than 200 words. If necessary, the Flag Officers may wish to discuss the nomination with the proposers to further understand the proposal.
• The proposal must be sent by email to our General Manager, Mark, headed “Lilla” Proposal: genmgr@pooleyc.co.uk
• Closing date for proposals is 28th February 2021.

We look forward to receiving your nominations.