Dear Boat Owner,

It is that time of the year again when we are starting to make plans for the annual outing in Chichester Harbour for local children with learning difficulties.

This year it will be held on Friday 15th May, which fits in with the school routines.

High water at the entrance to Chichester Harbour will be at 10.53 BST. (Boats returning to the Solent that day should be aware that low water at the entrance will be at 16.15 BST, so they may need to delay their return trip until after that time).

As has happened for the last few years, for administrative and insurance reasons, the event is now under the umbrella of the three Rotary Clubs of Chichester Priory, Havant and Heathfield and Waldron, who have delegated the organisation to the Sussex Fleet of the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians. The Sussex Fleet has run the event for the last 40 years.

Teachers have told us that the Kids Out on the Water experience has, for many of their children, been the highlight of their year and it has also been a rewarding experience for the many boat owners who have taken part.

For this event to take place we do need your help, and the purpose of this letter is to ask if you and your boat will be available on Friday 15th May.

The format will be similar to previous years. Depending on the location of the school, the children will be delivered to either Chichester Marina, Itchenor or Northney Marina at around 10.00 am.

The schools have been told of the importance of arriving at their departure points at this time. However, because of the nature of the children, delays can occur, but we hope these will be minimal.

Once they have been fitted with life jackets and met their skippers, they will be taken onboard ready to leave when the skipper decides.

We will all meet up at East Head, drop anchor and have lunch onboard before returning to the departure points soon after 2.00 pm, ready for the children to be picked up by the school transport.

All children will be accompanied by a carer from their school who will be responsible for the children whilst onboard. Lunch boxes for the children will be provided. The carers will bring their own food.

If you would like to offer the children soft drinks, these should be non-fizzy and low in sugar. The carers will be able to advise what is suitable.

Please send me an email (KidsOnTheWater@outlook.com) as soon as possible to let me know that you will be able to take part. On receipt of your email I will ask you to complete an online Boat Owner’s Form, so that we will have all of your up-to-date details.

If you are unable to help this year, please let me know as this will save you from being bombarded with reminders.

I do really hope that you will be able to help. If you know of any other boat owners who may be willing to help, either please let me know, or forward this letter to them and ask them to contact me.

We do ask that all boats have cover in case of rain and have a suitable toilet onboard. The boat must be large enough to safely carry skipper and crew plus two children and at least one carer.

The skipper should also have an appropriate boating qualification or experience.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

PLEASE COME AND HELP PUT A SMILE ON THESE CHILDREN’S FACES.

Kind Regards,
Lawrence Muffett
Boats Coordinator Tel.: 01892 661705 or Mobile 07880 730 699

NB. Your email address and other personal data held by the organisers will not be passed on to any third parties without your permission.