A total of 31 members attended the Spring Social gathering a Gosport Marina on 26th February. Of these 21 made it to MRCS Solent Coastguard where on a glorious sunny morning we were shown given a tour of the facilities which included a very interesting film on the services provided by the coastguard.

        Initially, the intention was to split the numbers into two groups to tour the operations room, but this did not work out - as the first group went for their tour an emergency was declared so we all had to return to the “waiting” room while the emergency was dealt with. A 65-year-old  “yachtie” was using his dinghy to get to his yacht on the upper reaches of the Beaulieu past Buckler’s Hard. On trying to transfer from the dingy to his boat it appears he slipped and ended up in the briny - still a bit cold in February! The coastguard helicopter was used to pluck the man from the water and he was then flown to Southampton hospital were he was said to be recovering. All in a days work for what is the busiest coastguard area in the UK.

        Eventually the tours got under way and now because of time all those attending were shown round at one go. Despite the events of the morning, the tour was great success and thanks must be given to Jennifer Taylor who worked very hard to show us around.

        Following a group photograph outside MRSC Solent, it was then a precession on to Gosport Marina for lunch and our speaker.  The Chairman introduced Commander John Porter who gave a very interesting talk on his experiences while serving as Navigator Commander on HMY Britannia.

        The humorous episodes concerning the revolution of the screws, the Duke of Edinburgh’s response to being given the best view he had had of a particular castle for the sea side were all very amusing.  Geoff Sheddick gave a vote of thanks and then it was back to serious discussion about the forthcoming season and the rather large motor yacht “parked” outside the restaurant window - some wag suggested it might well serve as club escort boat for the cross channel trip later in the year.