We have made some recent changes to the website which are probably worth a quick note to help you see what might be of interest.
The Guides themselves are being distributed on regular occasions throughout the season and we are out and about looking at news and features articles that might be of interest. Our camera has been busy in action and we have now started to compile a gallery that we hope will be of interest. The Gallery can be accessed by using the 'tabs' that appear at the top of this and other pages. The photos are updated regularly. You might recognise some of the places or they might give you ideas for your next boat trip or day out.
The weather remains a very important part of our daily lives, especially in the UK. There are many sources of good information including the Shipping Forecast, the BBC and Met Office websites. We have hooked up with Meteoroligica and are now showing a pictorial weather map of the UK which we hope may be of some use.
Of late our features page has seen some new articles which are definitely worth a review especially if you are looking at a cruise over the summer holidays. Imperial Wharf Marina in London have provided a great review with some photos and MDL Marinas have given information on their new Freedom Berthing Scheme.
Further updates and developments on the website will be announced.
Latest News
The Government's plans for major cuts to the Coastguard Service have been scaled back but changes remain.
The numbers were set to be reduced from 18 to eight and with only three of the remaining stations being open 24 hours a day.
But now, 10 centres that were 24-hour operational would remain, as would a smaller station in London.
The eight centres that will be shut are Great Yarmouth, Walton-on-the-Naze, Clyde, Forth, Portland, Liverpool, Brixham and Swansea
MPs were told there will continue to be eight coastguard stations at Falmouth, Holyhead, Milford Haven, Belfast, Aberdeen, Humber, Stornaway and Shetland.
The transport secretary announced that the Southampton and Portsmouth coastguard will be the base for the Maritime Operations Centre for the UK.
And there will also be a centre at Dover which oversees activity in the English Channel.
The original changes were criticised by the House of Commons transport committee who commented with “serious concerns that safety will be jeopardised if these proposals proceed”.
For the East Anglia region it means that the area from just south of the Humber to Herne Bay in Kent will be covered by the Dover and Humber stations.
Job losses are expected with numbers falling from 573 to 436 by 2014/15.
Coastguard
About the Author
www.skippersguide.co.uk – the free marine publication for power and sail boat owners. News, views & articles of interest. Includes the Marine Services Directory with details of companies and people who provide products and services for sail and power boat owners. Chandlery, Marine Surveyors, Boat Builders, Yacht Brokers, Boat Transporters, Marine Engineers, Marinas, Boat Valet, Metal Fabricators, Boat Sales, Boats For Sale, Yacht Sales, Used Boat Sales.