The English Raid

Wednesday 1st August 2012 – arrangements

How to get to Woolverstone Marina:
Whether approaching from London or the Midlands you will end up just South of Ipswich on the A14.

At junction 56 (signed A 137 to Ipswich & Manningtree) head off towards Ipswich.

Down the hill to the first Roundabout, take the second exit signed to Shotley (B1456).

About 3 miles down this road, you will enter Woolverstone, and after maybe ½ mile, see a sign to the left for Woolverstone marina.

Where to launch/ check in:

As you drive down the marina road, the first thing you will come to is the Royal Harwich Yacht Club (RHYC).

Keep going around the corner, into the marina, and the slip is on the right. There will be someone there to meet you and give you the welcome pack.

When to launch:

The slip is usable +/- 3 hours on high water (which is 12 noon that day) so aim to launch between 9am and 3pm.

If you are later than this, then you’ll need to drive down to Shotley marina, launch off the beach there, and round into the lock – see below. It really is worth trying to be in time to use the slip!

What to do with your trailer:

You can leave your trailers (bring a lock) on the approach road to the marina – please not in the marina car park or the RHYC car park.

What to do with your boat once launched:

While getting trailers & cars etc sorted you can go alongside either the MDL marina or the RHYC marina – we’ll advise on the day.

Once you are sorted, there is all tide access to Shotley so you can head straight down there or do a bit of exploring or stay up at Woolverstone or whatever you would like to do.

What to do with your car:

For the campers, the options will be to leave it at Woolverstone, the campsite, or at Shotley Marina. The latter is likely to be strong favourite.
We will be running a shuttle to move drivers and camping gear between Woolverstone and Shotley.

Where you can get food etc during the day:

The marina facilities will be available at Woolverstone (Butterman’s bar, chandleries etc) and at Shotley (where we will have use of all the facilities including showers etc). Also the RHYC clubhouse will be open for visitors.

How to get to the campsite:

The campsite is a field below the Shotley Caravan Park, Gate Farm Road, Shotley, IP9 1QH.  I’ll give you detailed directions on check-in.

Despite the fact that it is listed as no tents and no children, I did persuade the man that for a few days tents and children will be OK, but we will have to be on slightly best behaviour!
It is a short walk from the marina.   I have arranged for loos to be installed on site, and we have the use of marina facilities for washing etc.

How to get into Shotley Marina:

You need to lock in & out (Ch 80 for the lock master) and there is a waiting pontoon just outside the lock.  Even for shallow draught boats, it is worth finding (and using) the leading marks and channel!

Where & when we first meet up:

We’ll doubtless bump into each other through the day, but the first actual meeting time will be in the upstairs function room of the “Shipwreck” for supper at 19.00.   I’m hoping we can also use that room as a base and meeting point.

Food:

You shouldn’t need to bring any food with you unless you’re very hungry. Most of the money is going to provide breakfast, lunch and supper from Wednesday evening through to Sunday breakfast, and I hope you’ll find it enjoyable and good value.  Please let me know of any special dietary requirements.

Safety:

As with previous raids we should try to manage all our safety issues ourselves. Many rallies have no safety boats at all, relying entirely on the prudence and skill of the skippers and crews.  That will be the most important contributor to safety.

However there will be 1 or 2 support boats which will called on variously to be tugs, ferries, sheep dogs and (though I hope not often, if at all) safety boats.  But it is the skippers and crews of the boats themselves, who will take the moment-by-moment decisions which take them into danger, or away from it, and in most cases solve the problems which arise.

Equipment:

I’m sure your craft will be properly equipped for the Raid, but the following are essential;
• Lifejacket / Buoyancy aid for all crew members
• Suitable clothing
• Vessel — positive buoyancy
• Painter, spare line and bailer
• Means of signalling distress – an inshore flare pack (not too pricey from discount mail order chandleries) is a good idea
• Anchor and ground tackle
• Fenders
• Secondary Propulsion
• a handheld VHF is not essential but would be helpful

Charts:

I have obtained a copy for each of you of the very good Harwich Harbour Association guide which has tidal and shipping information with a “chart”. It says not to be used for navigation, but you would not be surprised to discover how often it is used for that.

I’ll get it to you by post in the next few days so you can decide whether you need anything more.  Perhaps the most significant difference between that and a proper chart is the detail on depths, so if you don’t mind the odd encounter with putty you’ll be OK.

The next option is Imray Y16 which covers the whole area, plus the Deben. It is printed on water-resistant paper, and costs around £16.00.

For even more detail there are the East Coast Rivers guide books.  Interesting, but not essential.

In any event I’ll be providing notes for each day’s expedition.

Responsibility – the legal bit:

Raid England shall not be liable for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the Owner/Skipper or crew, as a result of their taking part in the Event.  Moreover, every Owner/Skipper warrants the suitability of his boat for the Event.

The safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the Owner/ Skipper, who must ensure that the boat is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy, manned by a crew sufficient in number and experience who are physically fit to face bad weather.

The Owner/Skipper must be satisfied as to the soundness of the hull, spars, rigging and all gear.  He must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and in date and that the crew know where it is kept and how it is to be used.

Neither the establishment of these conditions, nor their use by Raid England, in any way limits the absolute responsibility of the Owner/ Skipper.

Money – the nasty bit:

I have sent/am sending you all an invoice based on your last known position, which I’m sure you will correct if I have it wrong. Please could these be settled by 20th July?

Weather – the unpredictable bit:

I can’t remember a year when so many events have been blown out or at least significantly affected by the weather.  We may have had our quota of rough weather and are therefore due a spell of idyllic summer days, or maybe it is just set foul.
There are plan Bs for each day, but if the forecast is truly horrific for most or all of the period, I have little interest in being holed up for 4 days complaining about the weather, and will cancel the raid.

In that very unlikely event (the decision will be made on 28th July), I will advise you by email, and refund your monies.

Well that wasn’t a very positive note to end on, so let’s assume that summer comes along, and we all have a great few days exploring Harwich Haven.

Any queries, please get in touch

Moray MacPhail

01394 380390
er3harwich@gmail.com