Active Marina Easter Escape
Bertholders from Portishead and Penarth enjoy a cruise in company
Portishead Quays Marina in Bristol held a Cruise in Company for their bertholders this Easter weekend (18-20 April) as part of the RYA Active Marina Programme.
Titled ‘The Easter Escape,’ the cruise in company saw 10 motor boats, two yachts and chase RIB Merlin (staffed by instructors and Yachtmasters from Compass Sea School) set off on Friday morning and head down the channel.
“The weekend was a great success. The party consisted of 33 adults’, four children plus two excitable dogs. The largest boat was 51ft Timm 4 and the smallest which was Rose at 22ft” explained Kath Scott, Chief Instructor at Compass Sea School.
The motor boats set off past Clevedon and down to Weston Bay before heading around the back of Steep Holm, up between the Islands and into Cardiff barrage. The Yachts took a more direct route and struggled to find the wind – glorious sunshine but little in the way of breeze.
Kath continued: “For some this was the first trip down the Channel and over to Cardiff so the passage planning and pilotage was challenging and the barrage a new experience. There was only one minor issue en-route with Dax taking on some unwanted water due to new sea strainers which was quickly remedied with the help of Dan, one of the Compass Instructors on the chase RIB”.
Once safely in Cardiff Bay, the Motor boats moored themselves up in Penarth Marina and waited for the yachts to arrive. Friday night saw a great dinner in Pier 64’s function room which was a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and enjoy a great menu, super service and of course a few social beverages. Thanks to the Pier 64 team.
Due to the forecast weather Anna-Sonna and Volante II returned to Portishead on Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon saw the competitive elements come out in tender racing (under oars of course!) around a couple of buoys in the marina.
“On Saturday night we joined the Penarth Marina berth holders for a BBQ adding a few social beverages kind courtesy of Portishead Quays Marina, followed on Sunday Morning by Coffee and Hot Cross buns in Pier 64 for the launch of the Penarth Active Marina Programme”.
With poor weather Easter Sunday, the boats decided to stay and relax with RIB Merlin taking a few around the bay to blow away some of the cobwebs from the weekend.
Monday dawned nice and settled with the fleet departing Penarth at 11:00 with all nine motor boats heading home. Each boat had a goody bag with some Active Marina freebies, and RYA Sea Survival Handbook (hopefully not to be needed!) and an Easter egg.
“All in all, it was a great cruise away, stretching peoples legs a little with some new friendship made, confidence boosted and everyone asking when and where we are off to next!” concluded Kath.
For photos of the event click here and select ‘Cruise in Company’.
Along with workshops and training opportunities, The RYA Active Marina Programme supports marinas in organising cruises in company and social events. These provide berth holders with the opportunity to meet families and crews.
Find out more information about the Active Marina Programme including an events schedule for 2014 and to see if your marina has signed up to the programme