At Thames Motor Yacht Club at 8Pm

Mandy Want (TMYC), Martin Powell (PHYC), Linda Turner (TWYC), and

Dominic Evans (SBC).

1. Welcome:

David welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked all for attending.

2. Apologies:

Michael Shefras, Andrew Bernstein and Philip Chart (RYC)

3a) Minutes of the previous meeting:

These were accepted with no comments.

3b) Matters Arising:

None, other than those that will be covered elsewhere.

4. Outgoing Chairman’s Report

David Jones reported that the structure of the Committee had changed over the last year, whereby The Vice Chairmen were responsible for different reaches of the Thames, with the intention of facilitating greater liaison between the Clubs and the ATYC Committee.

David reported that the ATYC Website had been set up successfully, and was being run by Terry Sharpe.

David stated that the ATYC had been liaising actively with the PLA (Tidal Thames) and Environment Agency (Non-tidal Thames), and had been representing the voices of boaters at these and other river group meetings.

David invited Richard Hart to update the members following meetings with the PLA. Richard stated that the PLA had appointed two new Harbourmasters: Katherine Spain (Tower Bridge Down) and John Riler (Above Tower Bridge).

The PLA had produced a very good and informative 2017 Recreational Users Guide, which includes the locations of Visitors’ Moorings, (although many have no access to the shore).

The PLA have announced that there has been an increase in the number of large barges, and other craft, on the tidal Thames, so they warn recreational users to be extra vigilant when they go out. There have been a few incidents recently involving recreational users including a speeding cruiser reported to the Harbourmaster, another cruiser swamping two rowing boats, a narrowboat with a faulty water pump, and a rowing cox’s faulty steering resulting in an accident.

David thanked Richard and Pam Chart for their efforts and input to the meeting.

David reported that the ATYC had been active on the non-tidal stretch meeting with the EA, at Thames User Group (Navigation) meetings and at Thames User Group forums. Mike Chambers, David Jones and Mike Shefras had discussed with the EA and the Lockkeepers Group, how the locks were manned, with reference to priority manning on named locks, like Bray, Boveney, Romney and Marlow, supervised ‘volunteers’, and lockkeepers working the locks at weekends, with time-off during the week.

David stated that the future of the Thames was still being discussed with the Canal & River Trust.

The River User Groups were still having regular meetings, although attendance numbers varied considerably, from 80+ in RUG8 to 10+ in RUG7.

The RYA had recently reorganised themselves and had split the Thames into two regions. Bob Smith, ATYC representative, reported that they were still busy with offering training courses, but their focus was clearly on sailing boats located in the coastal regions, rather than motor boats on the Thames.

The ATYC Social Events, both were very successful, Dinner/Dance at Crowne Plaza (thanks to Pam C and Dave H) and Rally at West India Dock (thanks to Richard Hart and the Dockland Scouts). Both events made a small surplus.

This year’s rally likely to be at Beale Park, but still in discussion phase.

5. Treasurer’s Report

Peter went through the End of Financial Year accounts and brought us up to date on the finance of the ATYC.

At the end of the financial year there was a surplus of £582 (as opposed to £820 at end of 2015), due to £388 from Dinner Dance and £229 from Rally (after £400 donated to Naomi Riches for her charity).

Currently £13,130 in bank, (costs almost £20,000 to make Rally go ahead).

The accounts have been agreed by the Honorary Reporting Accountant.

Peter stated that the signatures for the account were Chris Turner, Mike Shefras and Peter Hasler.

Chris Turner proposed that the accounts were accepted by the members.

Richard Hart seconded this. The accounts were accepted unanimously.

David thanked Peter for all of his efforts on the accounts.

6. Outgoing Chairman’s Thanks

David thanked the ATYC Committee for all the efforts over the years. In particular, he thanked Emma Abbott and Richard Hart as they would be stepping down from the Committee at this meeting.

Ian Weston thanked David (Chairman) and Peter (Treasurer) for their reports.

7. Election of Officers

Nominations for 2017/2018

ChairMike Chambers

D. ChairVacant

Hon SecMarian Lonsdale

Membership SecGabrielle Chambers

Hon TreasurerPeter Hasler

Training and CompsAndrew Bernstein

RallyJeremy Stromberg

Vice Chairs

Above OxfordDave Hansell(SRCC)

Above ReadingVacant

Above Windsor & Q/MPaul Lonsdale(BCC, TWYC, BOC, TSCC)

Above StainesMartin Powell(PHYC)

Above Hampton CourtGabrielle Chambers(MTYC, TMYC)

Above TeddingtonNeil Winckless(LRYC, Rotarians)

Above TowerPam Chart(RYC)

Below TowerVacant

WebmasterTerry Sharpe(Ex Officio)

Independent ExaminerKeith Clarke(Ex Officio)

RYA RepresentativeBob Smith (Ex Officio)

All were duly elected unanimously.

David presented Mike C with the Chairman’s Chain of Office.

Martin was presented with his ATYC Officer’s Burgee.

The meeting ended and was followed by the General Meeting.