The RIBnet Gathering - North Wales & Isle of Man - weekend 6/7 June 2009
Leave Conwy on Saturday for day trip to Douglas and return, then do a run round Anglesey on the Sunday
Launching
Launching is from The Beacons slip right next to Conwy Marina, on Friday or early on Saturday.
Heading west on the A55, ignore the first sign for Conwy. Go through the tunnel and take the next exit which is signposted to the marina. Turn right towards the marina. At the first mini roundabout, turn left and follow to the end which is Beacons slip. The parking area is yards from the slip.
For this weekend only, for RIBnet boats launching at The Beacons only, this is the deal:
FREE Registration
FREE Launching
FREE Parking
FREE Secure trailer parking
FREE Camping
Every boat launching from the slip must have proof of insurance
DM and GED be at the slip on Friday and early Saturday for anyone who needs help launching and Sunday evening for recovery. If recovering bigger boats at lowish water, it sometimes takes two trucks to pull them out.
The riverbed is sand and stone so back up well away from the trailer before turning. Also beware of the pontoon just yards upriver from the slip. If the current is strong, it's easy to get swept into it if you're slow getting off the trailer. Conwy quay is about 1/2 mile upriver from the slip on the starboard side. Don't get out of the boat and into the water here. The bottom is soft deep mud.
Please arrive with full tanks as there will be no time to fill up in the Marina. With a lot of boats to get in launching needs to be quick and efficent.
The HM has asked us to give regard to the local boats launching. Speed limit in the river is 8 knots.
If you are launching from any other council slipway in County Conwy or Anglesey,
you need to be registered. However, if you are already registered with one of the N.Wales councils, you won't need to register for another, you just have to pay the daily launch fee.
For those launching at Menai, Port Daniel boatyard, which is adjacent to the slip,(see Terry)will do you a tractor launch and look after your trailer for a fee. If you launch yourself, trailer storage is £6. Beaumaris slip is OK but don't know what the charges are for it and the trailer storage is not secure.
If you want to keep your boat in the marina for the week contact Conwy Marina or Deganwy Marina direct:
www.quaymarinas.com
Saturday 6 June
Conwy to Douglas is 55 nautical miles. On a recent trip it took GED 3 hours there, 2 1/2 back with a total of137 Total miles including avoiding ferrys and playing around.
We'll have limited time to see the TT, but there's more information here:
www.iomtt.com
One of the bigger ribs will be carrying a mechanic and act as sweeper boat.
There will be a plan B if the weather's iffy - probably go down the straits for a feast somewhere.
The plan is to leave Conwy at 10 to 1030. After launching, can all boats head upriver 800 yards to Conwy Quay which is the departure point.
Channel 8 for contact with DM or GED but any of the safety boats will answer to Mustang 1 to 4
There is no fuel on the quayside at Douglas, and no alternatives have been arranged. Make sure you have enough for the round trip.
When we leave the river, we'll be going straight out over the sands which can only be done at high water. All other times you need to use the buoyed channel.
It's then a straight line to Douglas with no hazards enroute apart from the odd ferry. There will be a lead boat and two sweeper boats. If we're on time and all in order, we'll do a rolling start poker run style.
Douglas
Schematic attached below showing where the mooring pontoons are in Douglas Harbour.
You MUST radio in on channel 12. Beware. All ferries spin round inside the harbour taking up most of the space every time they dock. Harbour Master usually forbids entry/exit and any movement by other vessels when a ferry is docking. Hence your need to radio in (Chan. 12).
Insurance
Check that your insurance covers you for this trip. You will be well in excess of 12 miles off shore which is a common restriction - if in doubt check with your broker and get additional cover if you require it.
You will also be required to show proof of insurance when you launch at The Beacons. Bring it with you.
Sunday 7 June
Round the island clockwise. Coffee and scones at Naomis in Beaumaris is a favourite stop off.
Other stuff
If anyone who wants to go but is boatless, or has room for a passenger, please let DM know by PM.
If you haven't sorted out accommodation yet, contact send GED a PM.
A bonus for Mercury/Mariner powered ribs is that EP Barrus will kindly be supplying some free 2 stroke and opti oil.
Massive thanks to DM and GED for putting everything in place for us, and many many thanks to Tony Mead (Principal Harbour and Maritme Officer) for agreeing to let us have free access to their lanching and storage facilities.
Please send me a PM with any updates/corrections/ommissions.
