With Covid-19 knocking us all sideways and worse for some, you might think that nothing much has happened within The Poole Harbour Watch and related groups over the past few months. In many cases this could not be further from the truth. A quick ring round has revealed the following:

Dave Brown and Roan Doyle, our Marine Police, have been busy. They believe a number of people have not yet visited their boats and that some pilferage may not have yet been identified. We passed on details of an incident in Holes Bay that may have missed them so please ensure that whenever you or your members report a marine related incident do mark it as a “Marine incident”. The relative release from self isolation coupled with the good weather has encouraged too much anti-social behaviour on the water particularly with jet skis (PWCs) and some undisciplined activity by people landing on the Harbour Island shores. It is to be hoped that Dave and Roan will be trained in the use of the Poole Harbour Commissioner’s owned PWC and therefore be better equipped to deal with these and other incidents. Any influence you can bring to bear to get them afloat would be very useful. It involves very little money for a substantial improvement in patrol cover in the Harbour.

Paul Cutts at Parkstone Y.C. conducted some evening patrols of the marina and is currently holding talks with his Committees to increase patrols by land and sea in the future.

Natasha at Poole Harbour Commissioners tells me that patrols by their Pilot boat, RIB and tug have been stepped up in response to some of the recent irresponsible activity in The Harbour. Calling Poole Harbour Control on VHF channel 14 or on 01202 440200 is generally the best immediate route for reporting an incident, they can then move it on to the most appropriate authority.

Jim Atkins at Christchurch S.C. as well as being Commodore of The RYA/Yachts and Yachting Club of The Year, nice one Jim, runs a very efficient nightly patrol of their premises and boats ashore which will now continue with patrols afloat. Where rules permit patrolling members can keep a lookout from their own boats overnight. They have cut incidents down to next to nothing and all the members take their turn!

Keith Colwell at North Haven Y.C. tells me that once they have finalised their “distance” issue with the Club launch then their nightly surveillance from the Club will be extended to the water.

Keith Askew has taken over as vice chairman and passed The Poole Y.C. mantle to Mike Jones who knows pretty well everybody and has achieved a patrol of the Club each evening/night with launch patrol to resume as soon as possible. Mike gained good support by targeting some of the boat owners directly by email with the question; “can you help please?”…..and they did! Keeping a close lookout from one’s own boat, where the kettle can be on, is also a good idea!

Paul Glatzel who runs the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station and Poole Power Boat Training gave me some useful pointers and will prove a useful member of our group.

In conclusion I would suggest that our greatest contribution is by volunteering to help with our Club or organisation’s Harbour and premises patrols. To this end can I ask that you use any influence you have with the leaders, e.g. Commodores and Committees, to broadcast to their boating audience that continual awareness of all matters relating to Safety and Security on and near the water is of the utmost importance.

Thank you and stay safe,

Jim.

Jim Macgregor, Chairman Poole Harbour Watch.