BURNHAM ON SEA MOTOR BOAT AND SAILING CLUB           

AN EVENING KNOTTING

Friday 10th February there will be an evening with the Knotters. Please come along and practice your knots, and perhaps learn a few new ones. Can you tie a secure bowline, a rolling hitch, a cleat hitch, or make a monkeys fist? All this and more. Improve your boat handling skills. This is a hands on event, and well worth attending.

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Here is a useful site to learn more about knots. Knot Animations

(DMH 20/1/12)

VHF DSC SHORT RANGE RADIO CERTIFICATE

Do you have a vhf radio on your boat, do you know how to use it, and do you know who to call in a distress situation.

It is intended to run a radio course in the clubhouse, this is a one day course, resulting in a short test paper. Successful candidates are awarded a DSC VHF radio licence. Course will be run on  Saturday 25th February starting at 10am.

If you are interested please contact me as soon as possible to reserve a place.  Total Fee £60 including RYA certificate(£30). This will be conducted by Pat Jensen RYA instructor. Students are requested to bring along a recent passport size photo for their certificate.

(DMH 25/1/12)

WINTERISING YOUR BOAT

Now you have eaten the turkey and plum pudding, its time to think of winterising your boat. For those members with boats out of commission, laid up in the compound or on the pontoons, there are some jobs that can be done now, and may save you money in the long run.

  • ships batteries should be regularly charged, they should not be allowed to completely discharge.

  • boat inboards should be protected with antifreeze both in the primary and secondary systems.

  • outboards can be removed, and protected with oil inhibitors, left unattended can seize

  • sails should be removed, washed and repaired.

  • keep boat well ventilated, and remove all upholstery etc, to protect from mildew.

  • how well are you prepared?

  • For more information..........

Crane in is due on Monday 26th March 2012.

(DMH 31/12/11)

ONLINE NAVIGATION

How much do you know? Try this online navigation test. http://www.oceantraining.com/test.html

How well did you do?

 (DMH 28/11/11)

THE BLUE BOOK

The blue book as some of you may recall is a Bristol Channel Pilot giving sailing directions in to all Ports, Harbours and Marinas in the Bristol Channel. This is produced by the Bristol Channel Yacht Conference, and is in the process of being updated.  This is an invaluable aid to navigating the Bristol Channel and entering new harbours. We expect this to be reprinted and available by Easter. The cost of the book will be £8 from the sailing club. The final proof reading is taking place and due to go to the printers shortly. I am now taking orders for this book, PLEASE CONTACT ME NOW to reserve a copy.

Also see Bristol Channel Yacht Conference Website.

(DMH 02/02/11)

 NEXT BOAT JUMBLE
Sunday 5 March 2012. Cardiff Boat Jumble. Open 10:00. Junction 33 off M4. Follow RAC signs to South Glamorgan County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, CARDIFF, CF10 4UW. Admission £3.00, accompanied children free. Telephone Bob Lang on 07864 113 704 or E-Mail. Map link to venue here
 

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

You may have already seen this on the television news, however have a look at this news story from Oz.Two men and two boys have been rescued from the sea off the eastern coast of Australia after using an ice box as a floatation device.  Apparently, all you need for sea survival is an EPIRB and an ice box!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16421996

(DMH 12/1/12)

SEA SAFETY

Every year the RNLI responds to distress calls received from Yachtsmen and Other Water users around our coasts. Here in Burnham on Sea, our Atlantic Class and D Class Lifeboats are frequently called out to assist water users. With one of the highest tidal ranges in the United Kingdom the Bristol Channel and in particular Bridgwater Bay pose a high risk of grounding and potential injury.

With the present mild weather there is a chance to get to your boat and start all those maintenance jobs. Crane in is on Monday 26th March.

Our safety at sea depends on timely maintenance of our boats. In addition we need to take time to check our sea safety equipment, and ensure that it is ready for use. Once your check is completed you will know that you are ready for any emergency. Its a good time now to examine such things as your lifejacket, expiry dates of flares, life-rafts and fire extinguishers.

To assist you with this the RNLI offers a free sea safety advisory check. It takes just 1-2hrs to complete and is time well invested. If you would like to arrange a confidential sea safety check on your vessel before crane in then please contact Dave Humphrey on 01278 780261 or the RNLI at Poole on Freefone UK: 0800 328 0600

(DMH 15/1/12)

 

ADVERSE WEATHER - REQUEST FROM THE SAFETY OFFICER.

Would owners of boats on the pontoons system regularly check their boats and ensure they are adequately fendered, and secured by suitable warps.(Rope should be able to stretch under load and absorb shock, the use of steel springs, or rubber snubbers will help avoid damage to your cleats. Braid on braid, or pre stretched rope should be avoided for pontoon mooring.)

Please ensure there is adequate space between boats. We have already had damage to two boats. Please check you boats regularly. If you spot potential problems please report it to the Pontoon Officer. See useful article on mooring............. Mooring Alongside

(DW 9/12/11)

CRUISING IN 2012

For those members  planning to go further afield in 2012 you may wish to consider joining a cruise to Lydney Sailing Club. Possible dates will be from 6th - 9th April, this is Easter Weekend, weather permitting and to be confirmed. This is upstream of the Severn Bridge, opposite Sharpness. You will be able to lock in to the basin by arrangement and have the pleasure of staying afloat.

For further images go to gallery.

By car Lydney is just 50 miles from Burnham on Sea, by sea best to make use of two tides, and depart from Portishead or Cardiff to arrive Lydney no earlier than HW-1. Well worth a visit. You will be made very welcome. more.....

Also see suggested charts and cruising pilots

(DMH 30/01/2012)
Club House, South Esplanade. BURNHAM-ON-SEA,TA8 1DL 01278 792911 Est. 1948   Affiliated to R.Y.A. 
Whilst this site provides links and information on various products and services in good faith, members should satisfy themselves that the products meet their needs before purchasing. Neither the Webmaster or Burnham on Sea Motor Boat and Sailing Club will accept responsibility or liability in any dispute concerning the purchase of such goods or services.

Webmaster - David Humphrey, Catalonia, Maddocks Slade, Burnham on Sea, Somerset,TA82AN - Tel:01278 780261 e-mail  davehumphrey@dmhumphrey.plus.com    Last Updated 05/02/2012 12:24