Don't drink and boat

The Pro Sailing Tour, offshore sailing’s most exciting new competition, is coming to Cowes. Cowes will host the event for the first time in 5-6 July, bringing high-speed multihull racing to the heart of the Solent for a two-day rendezvous. Renowned for its intensity, boat-on-boat battles and a

Our 2021 annual report is now available to read and download online.The report covers the key activities for the year January to December 2021, including financial results, harbour safety, harbour development, conservation and sustainability, our people and customer statistics.In his review, chief

Mark Southwell, Cowes RNLI lifeboat operations manager, is the new chair of the Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee, succeeding John Corby, owner of Corby Yachts.Mark has a vision for a safe and vibrant harbour benefitting locals and visitors. He said: “I came to Cowes for six months as a relief

Drew Langdon and Miles Jennings in Silverline held off their Italian rival, Maurizio Schepici in Tommy One to narrowly win the 2022 Round the Island – Powered by Shamrock Quay - Race, the opening round of this year’s UKOPRA World Offshore Championship, which saw 25 teams start and finish in the

The 2022 harbour users' survey is now closed. We had over 200 responses from resident and visiting boat owners/crew, employers and non-boating residents.We will analyse the wide range of comments and suggestions and feed back later in the summer.If you didn't respond or want to raise another

Cowes Harbour Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Hagen as chair of the board of commissioners. Phil takes up his new role on 1 May, succeeding David Riley.Phil Hagen joined Cowes Harbour Commission as a commissioner in May 2020.  A Cowes resident for 18 years, Phil

Cowes Harbour Commission AGM and public meeting will be held on Thursday 26 May at 7pm in the Island Sailing Club, Cowes.The evening will run as follows:Welcome from new chair, Phil HagenGary Hall, chief executive - review of 2021Ed Walker, harbour master - harbour safetyDavid Riley, chair

This year is the 80th Anniversary of the Defence of Cowes by ORP Błyskawica on 4-5 May 1942.The true story of the 1942 defence of the towns of Cowes and East Cowes by a Polish naval ship is commemorated every year, and rightly so. Although seventy people died, the action of ORP Błyskawica spared

Seagrass is an unassuming plant, but vital as a habitat and for locking-in carbon and producing oxygen.Seagrass thrives in shallow waters with a sandy seabed, such as East Cowes, Osborne Bay, Lepe and Bouldnor. The seagrass meadows provide a nursery habitat for fish like pollack, plaice and

Everyone welcome!Cowes RNLI community safety volunteers will in Shepards Marina on Good Friday 15 April to check your lifejackets and provide safety advice.The RNLI team are on hand to talk through the options for lifejackets, to help you check for wear and tear and show you how to do simple

Message from the Harbour Master:As the busy summer season approaches, all mariners are reminded of their obligations under Rule 9 – Narrow Channels - of the International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Regulations (IRPCS). Cowes Harbour is a popular yachting destination and the

Cowes Harbour Commission is running a consultation on Harbour Towage Guidelines. A copy of the proposed Towage Guidelines is available at cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/publications.The consultation runs from 24 March to 30 April, and all views and responses should be sent to chc@cowes.co.uk no

Pre-Season Checks It is essential to check your boat and systems regularly, and spring is the perfect time for the job. Of course, if you're venturing out after being laid up in the boatyard or afloat, a thorough check is vital, but even if you've been boating all winter, a regular inspection can

Cowes Harbour and the River Medina is always busy, no matter what the time of year. The area is used by pleasure craft plus fast catamaran ferries, car ferries and larger commercial vessels. To ensure the safety of all Harbour users, there is an enforceable 6 knot speed limit within the Inner

Spring is the time when boat owners start thinking about antifouling. And when we're thinking about bottom paint, it is important to consider the wider environmental and safety issues around removal and application. Traditional antifouling paints contain biocides like copper and zinc - these are

Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) is looking for a new board member to join the Board of Cowes Harbour Commissioners. Candidates should be familiar with local issues and have a financial background. A recognised accountancy qualification would be preferable but not essential.This is a

We would like to invite any interested parties to review and submit their responses to the tender document below for the 2022 - 2025 Water Taxi Service within the Cowes Harbour Commission jurisdiction.This tender is now closed

The weather over the past few days has given us a reminder that winter is on its way.  It’s time to make plans for what you are doing with your boat now the season is all but over.  You may want to leave it out in the river.  Alternatively, you know what you are doing but fancy a

Rob Kitcher runs Islandwide Marine, one of the onsite business at our Kingston Boatyard in East Cowes.  From his 35 years’ experience of both inboard and outboard engines, he offers mobile engineering services from basic servicing to full engine rebuilds and refits. “No job is too small,”

This month, I want to draw your attention to Rule number 5 of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (IRPCS) and recently revised in 2018. These COLREGs are maintained by the International Maritime Organization and applies to every ship on the sea,