Welcome to the MYA website. The site has been developed with simplicity and accessibilty as paramount and we hope that you will find the extensive data content informative and useful.

Not only does the MYA now encompass activities other than sailing, it also does considerably more than facilitate a sharing of resources amongst its member clubs and organisations.

The Association has an excellent relationship with the port authority and is represented on the RYA Regional Council as well as at meetings of the Medway and Swale Maritime Forum which encompasses other organisations such as the Kent Police Marine Unit, English Nature, the Port of London Authority, the River Medway Business Users Association as well as the large marine operators such as Powergen, Thamesport and Scotline. From this privileged position we not only have real opportunities to influence the outcome of issues that have the potential to damage the wonderful marine environment we all enjoy so much, but also to promote the sports that we participate in to a wider audience than we might normally interact with.

Members of the Association have been involved in many areas of activity this past year. These have included:

• Keeping a close eye on Kent County Council’s plans for the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road. The sub-committee, headed by Will Pretty, worked hard to bring the issues relating to the council’s plan not to include an opening bridge over Milton Creek to the attention of the planning authorities and the general public. This fight is far from over and the sub-committee will continue to receive all the support it requires.

• The Queenborough all-tide landing has also been the cause of some concern, especially as the jetty was out of action for most of last season. The MYA will continue to keep a close eye on the situation and we have indicated our willingness to get involved in brokering a deal to secure the future of this important asset if required.

• Promoting the MYA Dinghy and Keelboat Regattas.

• The MYA cruiser rating committee is now well established and a list of current MYA handicaps will be published on the website so it is available for use by any of the clubs organising cruiser racing on the river. The success of this scheme has enabled boats from different clubs to compete in each other’s racing programmes to great effect.

• Following a meeting with Network Rail regarding the weekend opening of the Kingsferry Bridge to leisure craft it had been expected that the area controller would visit an MYA meeting during 2007 to answer members’ concerns. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, this visit did not take place however, through a local contact, we have been able to raise many of the issues with the route director and will continue to use this source to give feedback on the way the agreed arrangements are working.

• The Marine Watch Scheme continues to be successful, with the MYA having a close working relationship with the Marine Policing Unit.  Steve Elliott, the driving force behind this liaison, has now retired from the force and we look forward to working with his replacement, Dave Lavender, to keep up the momentum in this very important area .

Going forward the MYA will continue to maintain a watching brief over all matters of potential interest to its members as well as providing a forum for its member clubs to interact, facilitating ways of sharing resources and encouraging an spirit of co-operation amongst the recreational boaters using the rivers Medway and Swale. Further information can be found in our yearbook which you can download from the homepage or email our office and request a hard copy.

May we all continue to derive great pleasure from the waters we sail upon.

Jenny Deacon
Chairman Medway Yachting Association