Trafalgar 200 ??

[Planty]

Registered ages ago with their website and have been receiving regular updates by e mail, also picked up rather a good leaflet in the fuel pontoon yesterday, but it all raises a couple of questions for me.

1. When oh when are the souvenirs / ensigns etc actually going on Sale?? For months they have been saying "coming soon" but still no products?? We are planing to use the event as an excuse to invite some partcular Clients down and wanted to arrange commemorative gifts, but we're only 6 weeks away now and not able to support the organisers at all yet. Calls to them have illicited the response that there are "licensing" problems. Obviously why they moved away from the "vessels must wear a Trafalgar ensign" then?? Seems a sorry state really but yet again the legals are delaying everything, it seems, Oh well. Can see all sorts of supply probs as everyone descends within a short period, when they do go live. Anyone hear got any more up to date or insider info??

2. Do you think that to ensure a relatively good viwing point at sea, one should anchor off the day before in the requisite "zone" and do "night/anchor watch" then bus guests in by rib?? Thinking about "Cowes Week Fireworks", peeps position themselves many hours before to get good position, so for this????

Any thoughts?? Paul

 

[mjf]

Yes it certainly seems to have all the makings of a fiasco.

The 'flag' issue has altered to having a copy of the safety notice O/B and the master must have a working knowledge of the content.

The IOW fireworks is a good exampl;e of what to expect methinks. Several of us discussed this at the w/e. The anchorage suggested are really very poor sites ie you would not normally choose the places allowed. Its going to be busy and the rush 'home' afterwards will be a zoo.

If the wind is up then all hell will break loose! I am seriously thinking of just making a passage out through the Spithead in the allowed channel seeing the massed fleet en route and returning (after lunch in Cowes or similar) either before or after the fun starts. Problem is the Portsmouth small boat channel will suffer all manner of closures so the return is quite critical.

 

[SteveE]

Paul,

Like you I am think of combining the event with taking a select few customers out, thought about the night before thing, but we decided we would not get any sleep waiting for the bang from another boat.

We are thinking of going out on the 28th and see what it is like, plan B would be if to busy, mooring at Gosport (we are Prem customers so booking a slot anyhow) and taking the rib out to see the events, returning to Gosport and maybe over to Cowes?

Is it me or did they have 200 years to get the legals sorted??

 

[rickp]

I'd make sure you get your berth booked up early. I've heard that MDL may be doubling their nightly berthing rates that week (for visitors) and I imagine bookings are being made already.

I'm out with friends that week, and will probably skip the whole thing and go to the Channel Islands - but we'll see. If someone has a burning desire to see it, we may be there but the designated anchorages look crap.

Rick

 

[gjgm]

anyone know when most of the ships arrive? Wondering about avoiding mayhem on the 28th, if most are already there on the Sunday/Monday. Mind you, not too keen in getting swamped by a few hundred battleships arriving and anchoring on the Monday !! Might not be the full spectacle, but might be a little more peaceful. As mentioned, returning home on Tuesday evening could be hell wherever you need to go.

 

[PhilF]

Whats this then

http://www.mrflag.com/index.php?doc=4&pid=5405

 

[amf]

Think Gosport closed their list weeks ago (we tried 2 weeks back). From what I can see its now first come first served on all Portsmouth marinas - which probably means "no chance".

We are in Port Solent but don't fancy locking in/out during that Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues. Anyone found any space anywhere? (25ft boat).

Cheers

Andrew

 

[peterandjeanette]

Also taking customers down for the day, but decided that spending a few hours at anchor bobbing about in the wash of other vessels or in the middle of a F5 may be ok for us, but not for non boaty clients.

Will probably have a slow run round the area then vanish off somewhere for a quiet afternoon - Cowes or Yarmouth etc.

Just hope the good weather turns out for the day too!

 

[Nick_H]

Even if there's no wind the sea will get choppy with all the boats moving around, so the thought of anchoring up hours before in a planing boat (which wallows from side to side in the wake of a canoe), is only practical for those with cast iron constitutions. I may also take customers, but will treat them to breakfast in Lymington, cruise out to see a couple of hours of the main event, find a sheltered anchorage for the afternoon, then cruise back over for the fireworks. That's the plan anyway, so I'll end up doing something completely different.

 

[BlueChip]

Does anyone know exactly where the fireworks are?

 

[amf]

Land based viewing is on Southsea common so assume it will be barge(s) somewhere between there and the forts.

 

[amf]

Looks like the souvenirs are now on the web site.

£1200 for a silver Nelson - anyone?