Practical Boat Owner

Make boating memories When I heard Jessica Watson (page 83) had finished her circumnavigation of the world aged just 16, I was on my own sailing adventure, living aboard our beloved S&S 34 Rebel in Tobago. The fact the teenager was sailing the same make and model of yacht as we were cruising on meant we followed her progress avidly. As a sailor, she was breaking new ground, despite facing challenges, not least from naysayers. It was the same for another pioneering skipper, Nicolette Milnes Walker, when she crossed from the UK to the USA in 1971 – the first woman to complete the voyage solo, non-stop in a monohull. Unlike Watson she’s less well known, and it’s fantastic to see her achievement highlighted by fellow author and sailor Julia…

Sailors have told of their heartbreak at the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision not to reinstate sailing for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has expressed ‘profound disappointment’ at the news, which means 2032 is the next chance for sailing to be part of the Paralympic Games – having been dropped from the Tokyo 2020 line up and not reinstated for Paris 2024. World Sailing has pledged to continue supporting Para Sailing worldwide – chief executive officer David Graham said: “We know a life on water unlocks so many opportunities for disabled people, we know how inclusive Para Sailing is, and we are determined that Para Sailing will continue to go from strength to strength.” Four-time Paralympic sailor Hannah Stodel said: “This decision…

The timetable to axe Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and Thematic Charts has been extended ‘until at least 2030’ – four years later than planned – after user feedback. Last July, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) announced its intention to withdraw from the production of paper charts by late 2026. This target date, which followed consultations with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and national user groups, was subject to the development of digital solutions for those remaining users of Admiralty SNCs and Thematic Charts, ensuring that they have viable, official alternatives. UKHO pledged to consult closely and more widely with UK and international stakeholders on this proposal and to listen to their feedback, stating ‘we would leave no one behind’. Now it has announced UKHO will ‘continue to provide a…

A newly-discovered chemical process is rendering all existing wind turbine blades recyclable. The Vestas-led ‘circular solution project’, in partnership with Olin and Stena Recycling, works on epoxy-based turbine blades – without the need for changing the design or composition of blade material. It offers hope for the recycling of GRP boats, which are currently disposed in landfill. Lisa Ekstrand, vice-president and head of sustainability at Vestas, said: “We can now view old epoxy-based blades as a source of raw material. Once this new technology is implemented at scale, legacy blade material currently sitting in landfill, as well as blade material in active wind farms, can be disassembled, and re-used.” BoatBreakers spokesman Luke Edney said: “I can’t see why this couldn’t be applied to the waste GRP material created from boats.…

Rochester & Strood Member of Parliament, Kelly Tolhurst, has been awarded the Yacht Brokers, Designers & Surveyors Association (YBDSA) Contribution to Industry award 2022. The MP grew up around her late father’s boatbuilding yard in Rochester, and is a member of her Medway-based local sailing club, and president of the Medway & Swale Boating Association. Her current aims include triggering a review of the UK Anti-Money Laundering rules and regulations by HM Treasury to support UK Yacht Brokers and the UK Banking Sector.…

Unloved Fairey Atalantas, Fulmars and Titanias are being sought by the Atalanta Owners Association. All three boats were designed by Uffa Fox and built by Fairey, which was an aviation company that diversified from aircraft production after World War II. The Atalanta is constructed from 1/8in laminates of Agba which is a very rot-resistant hardwood. The Atalanta Owners Association (AOA) keeps a register of boats and is active in keeping contact with owners. Boats that are beyond restoration still have a value as specialist components can be salvaged and used for restoration projects. PBO readers are being asked to email sec@atalantaowners.org if they spot any Atalanta, Fulmar or Titania that looks ‘abandoned, unused or unloved’ so that action can be taken to trace the owner and assess the boat’s condition…