Maritime Volunteer Service - Rochester Unit

A charity dedicated to involving interested people with the local maritime resource of our river and estuary. Started from the old Royal Naval Reserve using some of its members and much of its expertise and has been up and running from 1984.

The local unit boasts it latest edition which is the historic ex sailing pinnace COLLIE (circa 1890), converted into a tug and then fire boat working for HMS Hermes and HMS Defiance in Devonport.Today she is based at Cuxton Marina and is available available for training in navigation, pilotage and boat handling whilst also being used for filming, photography,observation and research. Having been used by Imray Charts and Sailing Today to supply photos of the Medway carefully taken by Dick Holness (co- author) I was flattered to receive the news that we should be added to his new edition of EAST COAST PILOT regarding information and advice and (who knows) even as an auxiliary pilot boat!! adding to another piece of Collie's amazing history now in its third century as a work boat.

This year we are planning to take research and photo trips down into the Swale involving The Kent Ornathalogical Society.One of our distinctive uses has been to raise money for other charities by organising trips along the East Coast for those mariners with the will and determination to give of their time and money for many worthy causes. In 2007 we joined forces with the famous old Dunkirk sailing barge GRETA sailing out of Faversham for SEEDS FOR AFRICA, a fairly local charity based at Kent Uni in Canterbury. This year we plan a long haul up to Scotland and have been invited by both Leith Docks and Port Edgar Yacht Club further up the Firth of Forth.

Anyone wanting to get out onto our tidal waters to experience what it offers or fancy a two week adventure up to Scotland, for further details please contact me.