Whitstable Maritime is a charity set up to help people experience and benefit from Whitstable's maritime heritage, culture and environment.
Using the power of our past and present connections to the sea, we offer a range of fun, healthy and educational activities for people in our community and beyond to benefit from.
Examples of our charitable work are:
- Restoring one of the last remaining Whitstable Oyster Yawls: The Gamecock for people in our community to enjoy using and benefit from
- Whitstable Coastal Trail - Encouraging healthy activity and supporting our coastal businesses through offering locals and visitors a beautiful route to explore the coast and learn about our maritime heritage and environment at 8 Highlights featured on the map.
- Working with Kent Wildlife Trust and Marine Conservation Society to use our local maritime environment as a place to promote conservation and encourage activities that support our local community's needs.
We fund raise to make these activities available to as many people as possible, including people with any disadvantage, so they can be free or subsidised.
Please explore our work in more detail using the website and if you'd like to know more about how to get involved with what we offer, become a volunteer or donate we'd be delighted to hear from you.
Editorial
October 2024
At the latest Board meeting of Whitstable Maritime there was a unanimous decision to fit an engine to Gamecock. I have chosen to be a non-executive President so my vote was insignificant but I supported the proposal. Given that we have been advised Gamecock will have over 60 years of working life because of the high quality of the Restoration work, it is realistic to plan for income from commercial. Then she will need to work to a timetable, rather than be susceptible to the vagaries of wind and tide. It is also a significant additional safety feature.
Of course this is not the end of the matter. There are still decisions to be made as to the source of the power – diesel or electric; one or two propeller shafts – the latter helps when turning in the Harbour; and how to balance the craft so that she remains a good sailer.
This is not to deny the absolute pleasure of handling a large sailing craft without the assistance of an engine, and the skills, judgements and teamwork required. Here is a paragraph from Wind, Tide & Oar published this year by New Menard Press which extols the virtues of ‘engineless sailing’.
…….. ‘there is an important caveat to this augmentation of power…Sailing without the option of an engine creates ideal conditions for learning some invaluable life skills that stand you in good stead whatever you may be doing. For a start, you have to pay close attention to what is going on around you because, under sail, you have no brakes, no handy reverse gear to get you out of a tight spot. You have no choice but to co-operate with the forces at work, the strength of the wind, the momentum of the boat, the direction of the tide. You need these to work with you, not against you, and the only persuasion you have is in the set of the sails and the angle of the rudder……With practice, you learn to trust your judgement, to focus on on the detail of the task in hand yet remain aware of the peripheries and to recognise the supreme importance of co-operation and teamwork’.
That is why Gamecock will be such a valuable addition to the experiences on offer to those in our community who are disengaged, depressed, or lacking in confidence. It is also why sail training is widely recognised as offering opportunities for leadership development, with or without an engine – and an adventure for everyone.
Gordon
President
Whitstable Maritime Partnership 2024
We are grateful to our partners for their support in fair winds and calms.
The Gamecock Restoration - A Second Life
How many of us have the opportunity of extending our working life by 60/80 years?
