The National Coastwatch Institution
(NCI) has been testing a new service
for yachtsmen. It is offering a repeat of
the inshore waters forecast and
performing radio checks when
contacted via VHF radio, relieving the
Coastguard of some routine traffic. The
six-month trial, in conjunction with HM
Coastguard, is currently under review.
Head of maritime operations at the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
Julie-Anne Wood, said the NCI ‘bring
very welcome eyes and ears’ in support
of its search and rescue activities.‘A s a supplement to the service HM
Coastguard provides, the NCI have
assisted with radio checks and inshore
weather forecasts on VHF Channel 65
when requested by mariners, only
when mariners have not been able to
raise HM Coastguard.’
The trial does not replace the Coast-
guards three-hourly MSI transmissions.
Tim Colquhoun of the NCI invited
sailors to make better use of their
services. ‘We watch yachts from the
coastal stations and report incidents
directly to the Coastguard,’ he said.A young sailor from inner-city London
has won the Yachting Journalists’
Association (YJA) award for Young
Sailor of the Year 2017.
Montel Fagan-Jordan, 17 , from
Tottenham in north-east London,
was given the prestigious award
for his part in Project Scaramouche
as lead helmsman during
the Fastnet Race.
The school project saw
a group of pupils from
Greig City Academy
fundraise, buy and restore
an Admiral’s Cup yacht andrace her in a number of regattas
including Round the Island Race,
Cowes Week, and the Fastnet Race.
Montel was lead helmsman on
the yacht and calmly kept control on
board, including helming at night under
spinnaker in worsening conditions.
On winning the award, he said,
‘I never thought I would
be named Young Sailor
of the Year. I couldn’t
have done this without
the backing of my parents,
school, and our sponsors.
Sailing is a huge part of my
life now, but I know I’ve still
got lots to learn.’
The YJA also recognised
Alex Thomson with the
Yachtsman of the Year
Award for his achievement in the
2016 / 1 7 Vendée Globe Race. During
the race, he set multiple records and
only narrowly came in second place,
despite losing one of his foils early on.
Alex saw off competition from Moth
world champion Paul Goodison and
49er world champions Dylan Fletcher
and Stuart Bithell to take the award.Matt Kent’s attempt to break the record
for the smallest boat to cross the
Atlantic has stalled. The Spanish
authorities denied him permission to
leave the Canaries aboard 3 ft 6in
Undaunted because he did not meet
certain requirements, including an
approval letter from the US Coast
Guard, and adequate insurance.Undaunted stalls
Inner-city teen wins Young Sailor of the Year
33
The number of boats crossing the
start line of the World ARC 2018-
in Rodney Bay, St Lucia, on January- They begin a 26,000-mile voyage
around the globe via Panama,
Australia, South Africa and Brazil.
Two other boats were late starters
after experiencing minor technical
difficulties.
10
The number
of boats that
made their
world debut
at the 2018
London Boat
Show, including
the Flying
Mantis foiling
trimaran and
the Farr 280
Club Racer.51
According to
research by
plainsailing.com,
a rise in demand
for multihulls
means 51% of
new charter
vessels in
Croatia, and 42%
of new charter
boats in Greece,
are catamarans.NEWS IN NUMBERS
RACE TO ROCKALL
A fleet of 1970s Rival yachts will set
sail in July from Scotland to sail round
Rockall to raise funds for able2sail and
the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.LIGHTING THE BEAULIEU RIVER
Flashing beacons have been installed
on five buoys along the Beaulieu
River, which light the way between
Gins and Buckler’s Hard.SUPPORT FOR SEA-CHANGERS
Pure Latitude boat club is giving its
members an option to donate to Sea-
Changers, the conservation charity,
when they pay their annual fees.New inshore waters forecast service
Sailors can use the NCI’s VHF Channel 65 for radio checksMontel Fagan-
Jordan celebrates
with his parents
(right) and with
Project
Scaramouche’s
sponsors, Pioneer
Underwriters
(below)Invictus Games
Sydney 2018 GAME
ON crewPA Images
Gordon MacPhersonUK victorious in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race
A crew of veterans, who had Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston as their navigator, led
the UK to victory over the Australians
in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.
The two Invictus Games Sydney
crews of wounded service personnel
raced as part of their rehabilitation and
promoted the fourth Invictus Games,
which will be held in Sydney in October.Will Parbury skippered the crew, who
crossed the finish line almost 11 hours
ahead of their rivals, in 49th place.
Ashley Bowes, who completed the
2017 Round Britain Challenge with
the Turn to Starboard charity, was on
board. ‘Sydney Hobart was difficult and
challenging but when I am out on the
water, the true me comes out,’ he said.NEWS