Why Hope Cove?
Boaters have made numerous payments over the years to various lifeboat stations around the country. Having instigated Roger’s visits we suggested to the committee that Hope Cove Lifeboat would be a cause worthy of support.

 Hope Cove Lifeboat – a potted history

 There has been a lifeboat in Hope Cove since 1878. The original one, together with the boathouse, was presented to the village by the Masons. Between 1878 and 1930 it was used in numerous rescues, saving many lives. Since 1960 the rescue boat has been managed by the Maritime Coastguard Authority (MCA).

 During the last 50 years there has been a significant increase in the number of recreational craft enjoying the delights ofBigburyBayincluding yachts, dinghies, power boats, dive boats, kayaks, windsurfers and paddle boats. The rescue boat has played a huge role in helping to protect all these users as well as swimmers from the dangers of the sea.

 In 2008 however, the Hope Cove Lifeboat, which had been deemed unseaworthy by the MCA, sparked a major controversy after it was launched without permission to save the life of a girl swimmer in trouble 200 yards off the beach. The crew had been told to await help from nearby Salcombe lifeboat but feared it would not arrive in time. The boat was then confiscated by the MCA and following a protracted review the MCA deemed it unnecessary for a lifeboat to operate from Hope Cove and withdrew the service. However, the local community rallied in support and a huge fundraising campaign was mounted to save the local service. A public meeting was held which led to the formation of a privately operated lifeboat service similar to 63 others dotted around the coast line of Great Britain. This activity produced a suitable replacement vessel which was dedicated by the local clergy in May 2011. The lifeboat became fully operational on 21^st May having completed all its testing and meeting all requirements of the MCA to be recognised as part of the search and rescue services for the region.

 Independent funding of many such services is all too common nowadays as consecutive Government cutbacks begin to take effect and is a measure of the future. It is expected that the annual running costs of this RIB is approx. £20,000. However, in 2013 it is likely that the current re-conditioned vessel will need to be replaced. A capital investment of some £60,000 would be necessary to purchase a new boat and substantial progress has already been made in raising this sum.

 We were privileged to be present at both the formal blessing and dedication service and at the maiden voyage of the lifeboat. The directors of the charity have expressed their great appreciation of the contribution made by Boaters to this worthy cause.

 Roger Taylors books ‘The Voyages of a Simple Sailor’ and ‘Mingming the Art of Minimal Ocean Sailing’ and information on his voyages can be obtained through his website www.thesimplesailor.com.

Ivor &Judith Stephenson

The yacht already has a full crew complement of four Boaters members, although a place may become available should anyone drop out.”
Further datails available from cruising@bromsgroveboaters.co.uk

Further details of the course can be found here
To reserve a place on the course please contact Bob directly at radioman@bromsgroveboaters.co.uk or 01527 831610

If  a boat owning member wishes to promote a sailing opportunity through this web site, this should be viewed by all parties involved as a private arrangment and will not therfore benifit from the clubs liability insurance which is intended to provide cover for club organised sailing activities only. 

Any member wishing to use this facility should add brief details in the comments area at the bottom of this article which should include the nature of the voyage, date (fixed or flexible) boat details etc.  Should you wish to include your direct contact details you are reminded that this is an open website and your details can therefore be viewed by anyone.  Alternatively please provide details of the trip or your availability stating that your contact details are available via the club cruising secretary at cruising@bromsgroveboaters.co.uk  

Don’t forget to check out our  spring sailing weekends and cross channel  cruise in company for club organised sailing.

Member George Gerwitz is offering sailing throughout the season on his Dehler 28 “Aquila” which he keeps at Elephant boatyard on the Hamble.
Aquila is a four berth boat and George is happy to take between 1 and three crew  at a time. 
Anyone interested should contact George directly on 01905 772767 or by email at george.gerwitz@btinternet.com

“In the summer, Rob Webber is to charter David Ellerton’s Bavaria 40 “Toucan Tango” from Brixham Marina. The trip, planned from 23rd July to 3rd August, aims to cross the Channel to a new marina at Roscoff and from there explore some ports and stop-overs at the western end of Brittany. If the weather and / or sea state rule against this itinerary, a fall-back plan would be to cruise eastwards from Roscoff along the North Brittany / Channel Islands coasts, prior to the return to Brixham.
The yacht already has a full crew complement of four Boaters members, although a place may become available should anyone drop out.”
Further details available from Tony Vere at cruising@bromsgroveboaters.co.uk

Liza and her family have sailed over 160,000 miles to 114 countries, have written award-winning articles and four best-selling cruising books, give frequent seminars at boat shows and inspirational talks to a wide variety of other organizations in Canada, the U.S. and U.K

Visit http://www.aboutcruising.com/seminars-11-c.asp for more information.

Following Liza’s presentation, there will be an opportunity to buy signed books.

Regular club night at our usual venue 20:00 Hrs

Due to the weight & volume of the library it is not always possible to have everything on display at our monthly meetings, so if you wish to reserve anything from the list below please either email librarian@bromsgroveboaters.co.uk or make a request in the comments area at the bottom of this article.  Please give one weeks notice where possible in case the item is already on loan.

Enormous thanks to member John Baker now living in Australia for his very generous donation of books and charts.

Please Click Here to view Library contents in new window

On The 18th January Members of Bromsgrove Boaters were honored to welcome Roger Taylor for the second time to our club

Below is an excellent review of the evening by member Richard Bird

Roger Taylor gave his second talk at Bromsgrove Boaters and proved beyond the shadow of a doubt he truly deserves the title “Intrepid Sailor”. Roger’s talk about his exploits on “Mingming” a 21 foot junk rigged Corribee drew gasps form the transfixed audience. His descriptions, slides and videos taken in the high Northern latitudes amongst the ice and whales were truly both breathtaking and incredible.

Sailing on his own for months at a time in a tiny vessel and obviously truly enjoying the total isolation and communion with nature in all its forms was so obvious to us the audience. It left you with a feeling of someone who had taken singlehanded sailing into new and completely different realm. The realm of the humpback whale and seabirds, of glaciers and ice floes of volcanoes and pack ice, of cragged mountain peaks and frightening gales along with days of utmost tranquillity and beauty in a sea that welcomed you  – if you showed the respect and love for it that Roger obviously does. His first book Voyages of a Simple sailor sets the scene and tells of his shipwreck on a square rigger and his modifying Mingming his second book Mingming and the art of Minimal Ocean Sailing is absolutely spellbinding with tremendous reviews from the sailing fraternity. Both books worth having can be ordered from HERE