Mark’s Busy Life Set to Turn Full Circle
Life is about to turn full circle for Mark Southwell, a former Island Customs Officer who is now operations manager for Cowes RNLI. While helping patrol the waters around the Island, Mark was based for many years at the Custom House, adjacent to the Island Sailing Club in The Parade, Cowes, and was directly involved in some of the biggest ‘drug busts’ this country has ever seen. Now by a quirk of fate he will soon be returning to the building where he spent so much of his time between 1982 and 2005, as it will shortly become the new headquarters for the town’s RNLI, following a highly...
Read MoreIsland Sailor Shirley Knows what it’s Like to have Golden Touch
The long-awaited 2012 Olympics are fast approaching, and for hundreds of aspiring competitors the pressure is beginning to mount. Inevitably the spotlight will fall very much on the British team, who will be competing on home territory for the first time since the last Games were held here in 1948. One person who knows what it is like to prepare for the Olympics, and emerge victorious, is Island sailor Shirley Robertson, OBE. Shirley not only competed in four Olympics, but re-wrote the history books by becoming the first British woman to strike gold at consecutive Games – Sydney in 2000...
Read MoreRyde Pier Set to Celebrate
It is generally accepted as the oldest surviving pier in the country, and it also happens to be the second longest. Now plans are being drawn up for Ryde Pier to celebrate its 200th birthday in style. Although Ryde Pier, which stretches majestically out into the Solent some 681 metres, does not actually reach the 200-year milestone until July 26, 2014, it was in 1812 that an Act of Parliament was passed to allow its construction. A year later the foundation stone was laid, and then in 1814 the residents of Ryde stood proudly and watched as the pier was finally opened to the public. Wightlink...
Read MoreIs it Waverley Goodbye?
Over the past few weeks PS Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, has been making her annual visits to the Island, to the delight of enthusiasts. As well as the traditional Round the Island excursion, Waverley has called in at Yarmouth and Ryde, as well as gracing the Solent and English Channel around Southampton, Portsmouth, Swanage and Weymouth. Passengers have flocked to get on board, and spectators have eagerly captured the moment with their cameras. But now a huge question mark hangs over the future of Waverley, and there are genuine fears that the ship, built in 1947, has...
Read MoreBjörn’s Making Waves in the Elite World of Superyachts
As a child, Björn Johansson loved to draw – constantly, and always boats or wildlife. Watching boats was a passion he indulged during hours spent at the ocean’s edge as a retreat from the restrictions of boarding school life in Kenya. His fascination is clear: “It didn’t matter what they were, a dhow or a superyacht, they all have their own qualities. Looking at them on waves is like staring at the flames in a fire – they do beautiful things. They roll and flow, there is flare and sheer and stunning shapes emerge from any angle.” Today, at the Bembridge studio which he...
Read MoreGriffin Marine Services: Wight Water Riding
If the Isle of Wight could have its own Prime Minister, Tim Griffin would be the man for the job. He is passionate about the Island, its beauty, the unruffled attitude of its residents, and the fact it allows him to live as he wishes. Actually, Prime Minister might be a little too political a post for a man who lives on and by the water, instructing fellow enthusiasts in driving ribs, jet-skis and the like. Ambassador for the Island, then. Oh, let’s just settle for King. Not that he will thank me for the suggestion. When we meet, outside the Lifeboat Inn in East Cowes which overlooks the...
Read MoreThe QE2 – Farewell to the Last Great Liner
Last year the news hit the headlines – RMS Queen Elizabeth, the flagship of the Cunard Line for over 30 years, had been sold by her owners Carnival, the American cruise giant. In reply to the storm of protests that the QE2 could have gone on sailing for a while yet, Cunard said that it was impossible to refuse the £50 million deal from the investment arm of the Dubai government. On 11 November 2008 she will sail from her home port of Southampton for the last time, bound for New York and then on to Dubai where she will be berthed permanently at Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made...
Read MoreHappy Days and Warm Friendships at the Royal Solent Yacht Club
When my wife and I bought a little cottage in the West Wight, we were invited by our new neighbours to an open day lunch at the Royal Solent Yacht Club in Yarmouth. I imagined that it would be a rather staid and imposing place, where people in white hats and reefers would be looking down their noses at any potential newcomers. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The welcome we were given was warm, enthusiastic and genuine. Indeed, we were surprised to see many people we already knew relaxing in the bar and enjoying the incredible views across The Solent. Lunch was delicious and...
Read MoreCrewing the Chance of a Lifetime
The Ocean Youth Trust gives young people a wonderful taste of adventure on the water. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, Roz Whistance discovers what it does for Island children. PERHAPS the strangest thing about the Ocean Youth Trust is that its devoted officials have to spend a deal of time persuading young people to take part in what they have to offer. For this is the chance of a lifetime. Nine youngsters, aged between 12 and 16, who have no previous sailing experience, get to crew a 72ft ketch, the John Laing. They help to plan a four-day voyage, and sail it to their chosen...
Read MoreTim Ensures the Waters are Safe
Tim Griffin of East Cowes-based Griffin Marine Services, is a man with a mission. He wants all power boat users to be aware of the perils that can be thrown up by the unforgiving sea, and know just how to deal with them when the need arises. Tim offers courses on all forms of power boats, from jet skis and RIBS to palatial 24-metre motor cruisers. We asked him to explain why he feels courses are so important to anyone venturing out on the high seas in any form of the boats their companies embrace. Although he covers all ranges of courses, we asked Tim to specifically elaborate on the top-end...
Read MoreAdvertisement
