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Soundings South West Podcast: QHM Plymouth

Plymouth has nautical links going back to Nelson, Drake. Fitzroy and the Pilgrim Fathers. It’s 400 years since they sailed from Plymouth in search of a new life in America and Plymouth today maintains its nautical connections. It is the largest naval base in Western Europe. It is where our nuclear submarines are refueled, it is a ferry port, it has cargo vessels jetties, is a busy fishing port and is home to six marinas.

Soundings South West Podcast: Mayflower Autonomous Ship

The second of our Soundings South West series of podcasts looks at the issues involved in designing and building the MAS (Mayflower Autonomous Ship). In September the ship will drop its moorings in Plymouth, navigate its way out of the Sound and cross the Atlantic. Nothing unusual about that, you may say, but there will be no one on board. The entire passage will be controlled by an on-board computer with no human intervention. This is an ambitious project and gives a glimpse of the future of navigation at sea.

The future of UK Red Diesel

The Cruising Association’s Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) has been in communication with HMRC and confirmed, as a result of the March Budget Statement, that it is their intention to legislate that red diesel in the United Kingdom can only be used in agricultural equipment, on the railways and for non-commercial heating from 1st April 2022.

Gill March 2020 Promo Winner

The winner of our exclusive-to-members March Gill promotion to claim one of Gill's Duffel Bags is KEN PIMENTEL, living in Guildford in Surrey. His name was chosen randomly from all the CA members who placed an order with Gill throughout March.

 

CA launches a topical Soundings South West Podcast

With cruising sailors firmly anchored ashore in the face of the Covid-19 clampdown, the Cruising Association’s (CA) South West Section has launched a new podcast to keep maritime spirits lifted despite not being able to get afloat.

This is first in the new series of topical podcasts with a CA South-West focus but also including highly relevant information for anyone missing the sheer joy of messing about in boats.

 

Refer a Friend Prize Draw: April 2020

We launched the ‘Refer a Friend’ promotion last year and it was so successful that we’re running it again through the 2020 sailing season from April through to September. We’re always delighted when a member recommends a friend to join the CA and we want to recognise this by offering an incentive to you and to your friend. Once they sign up, your friend receives 25% off their first year’s membership and YOU, the CA member, get £20 to spend in the CA online shop.

Covid-19: Information on Cruising Restrictions

Cruisers will be aware that Covid-19 presents a challenge to cruising unprecedented outside wartime. The situation and the measures being taken by various governments are fast moving. Cruisers are advised to follow these closely through the usual news media.

 

CA Open Weekend: Specialist topics & expert speakers draw high praise

The programme of seminars and speakers that formed such a big part of the success of the recent Open Weekend was a very rewarding experience for visitors and speakers alike.

Coronavirus: Temporary suspension of NCI Operations

The Board of Trustees of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has reluctantly made the decision to suspend all current operations because of the ongoing Coronavirus situation.  As from midnight 18/03/20 all NCI stations have suspended watchkeeping duties and will remain closed until further notice.

18 March 2020

 

Refer a Friend Prize Draw: June 2020

ICOM are the generous promo partners for June’s ‘Refer a Friend’. Icom's range is available in fixed-base radio, vehicle mount radio and handheld radio formats. Valued at £165, the ICOM IC-M25 EURO Buoyant handheld marine VHF transceiver is a popular and capable handheld VHF radio. Read more here: www.icomuk.co.uk/ICM25Euro/Handheld-VHF-Marine-Radio