Port News 

Tradewind Voyages’ Golden Horizon anchored in the Sound on Thursday 22nd July after arriving in Plymouth on her inaugural voyage.

Golden Horizon is the world’s largest square-rigged sailing vessel. She is a near replica of the 1913-built ocean vessel, France II. 

Passengers who chose to come ashore were tendered to the Barbican Landing Stage where they were warmly welcomed by volunteers from Cruise Plymouth, Destination Plymouth’s new Cruise Business Development Manager Glen Gardner, Harbour Master Captain Richard Allan and Plymouth’s Town Crier John Pitt.

Captain Richard Allan said “The inaugural visit from Golden Horizon was a huge success. We’ve already received several compliments from both passengers and staff back on board of how well organised, received and enjoyable their short stay in Plymouth was. 

Being able to tender visitors into the heart of historic Plymouth via the Barbican Landing Stage from anchor in the Sound is the perfect way for a cruise visitor’s first experience of the city to begin. We look forward to welcoming many more cruises over the months and years ahead.”

As is tradition when inaugurally welcoming ships to a port-o-call ceremonial pieces are exchanged, such gifts are frequently displayed on-board, be it in full view of the public or more privately on navigation bridges.

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners were delighted to present Captain Mariusz of Golden Horizon with a signed copy of ‘Cattewater Harbour Office’ by internationally renowned, and Plymouth based artist, Brian Pollard, and in exchange received a beautiful bone china ceremonial plate.

Different View Photography were asked by Cattewater Harbour Commissioners to capture Golden Horizon’s arrival.

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners’ former Chairman, Robin Love, has recently been presented with his MBE, awarded for services to the maritime sector and for his work in the local community.

Robin’s MBE was announced in December 2019 as part of Her Majesty’s New Year Honours 2020 list but due to the ongoing pandemic received his MBE at St. James’s Palace last week, presented by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Robin began his career in 1957 as a Clerk at Cattedown Wharves Ltd. Retiring in 1998, Robin remained a consultant until 2010. He joined the board of the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners in 1973, becoming Chairman in 2007. He stood down as Chairman on 31st October 2019, bringing to an end a tremendous 63 year career in the Port of Plymouth.

Robin was accompanied by his wife Irene to receive his award.

Hundreds of Plymouth schoolchildren will enjoy a spectacular day of sailing aboard heritage boats this May, giving them a chance to connect with the Mayflower story in a new way.

The ‘Spirit of Adventure’ programme was crowdfunded last year and the first part of the project is set to take place from 4 to 7 May 2021.

During the week, 240 children will enjoy a day of hands-on sailing adventure with one of four sailing organisations: The Island Trust, The Bounty Project, Sailing Tectona and The Lynher Barge CIC. The organisations have seven traditional wooden sailing vessels between them, which will undertake daily voyages in Plymouth Sound.

Led by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP), the crowdfunder raised £50,000 with support from individuals and organisations including Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Mayflower 400 and Plymouth City Council.

Diane Mansell, Chief Executive of PWP, said: “As Britain’s Ocean City, and the departure point for many a famous journey, it’s shocking that so many children in Plymouth have never had the chance to try out sailing. The Spirit of Adventure project offers an amazing opportunity to engage children and young people with the waterfront, with the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and with the Mayflower story in a very tangible way.

“We’d like to give a huge thank you to all the businesses and people that contributed to the crowdfunder to make this a reality.”

Chairman of the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Mr Alan Nichols said: “The Commissioners recognise the huge importance of our local community being able to engage with the water but also appreciate that not everyone has the opportunity to easily do so. We are delighted to have supported this project which will enable local school children to get out on the water to learn more about the Mayflower expedition, and to understand the importance of water safety and teamwork, which will be much needed when hoisting those heritage sails!”

The schools involved are located in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the city, with the aim being to work with children that have not been given these opportunities before, particularly those living in poverty, young carers and children in care. 

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners recently welcomed Katie Rich to join the team on a two year Workboat Level 3 Apprenticeship.

The Commissioners are working with local business SeaRegs Training, based at Turnchapel Wharf, an MCA, SQA, RYA and Highfield approved maritime training provider who deliver short courses and apprenticeships for skippers, engineers and crew.

Katie says: “I can proudly say I am a 16 year old female in the maritime industry and am forever grateful for the opportunities I have been given, I look forward to seeing where my journey with Cattewater Harbour Commissioners takes me. Each day is different. I spend time on all of the vessels working in and around the harbour, whether it be on the tug at 3pm bringing in a ship or out replacing mooring buoys at 9am.”

CEO and Harbour Master of Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Captain Richard Allan says: 

“We are delighted to welcome Katie to the team. We look forward to supporting her for the next couple of years through her apprenticeship to enable her to gain the knowledge and experience needed to progress her maritime career further.”

During her time with the Commissioners Katie has been welcomed aboard the Pacific Constructor which arrived into Millbay in February and departed at the weekend with a new name, Constructor 1, sailing under a new flag, and last week was part of the crew out on Plym Catte laying seagrass as part of Natural England’s ‘Recreation ReMEDIES’ project which launched in January 2020.

Katie adds: “In the future I’d like to be a deck officer (working my way up to Captain) within the Merchant Navy.”  

Katie is documenting her apprenticeship and maritime training via her own blog at www.katienautique.co.uk and on Instagram at @katie_nautique 

** Thank you to all those who attended our recent water safety virtual meet and greet. You can view a recording of the session here. **

As the summer season approaches Plymouth Harbour Authorities invite you to join them on Thursday 18th March at 7pm for a virtual ‘meet and greet’ and Q&A session about water safety within the Cattewater and Plymouth Sound.

Four guest speakers representing diving, OWS, stand-up paddleboarding and PWC will each chat about their individual disciplines and the importance of water safety.

Representatives from the QHM, Plymouth Pilotage Service, RNLI, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre and the Wave After Wave initiative will also be available to answer any questions.

To attend the Zoom meeting next Thursday please email info@plymouthport.org.uk to request the joining instructions.