Meeting Place: Brundall Bay Marina, Brundall, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 5PN

When: On Thursday 9th or before mid-day on Friday 10th April 2009. Cruising from Friday afternoon till Monday morning to allow recovery of boats on the slipway and drive home before the rush that evening.

Brundall Bay Marina lies on the River Yare about 5 miles East of Norwich. Approach by the A47 Yarmouth Road, Right at the roundabout into Cucumber Lane to Brundall, Left into The Street, and then Right into Station Road. Downhill over the level crossing at Brundall Station, past “The Yare” pub then after about 100 metres, first left by the sign “Brundall Bay Marina”. Reception office is in the first building on the left hand side.

The Marina has all the usual facilities including a good concrete slipway and adequate parking for car & trailer. There is a barrier which closes at 6pm, but we will have a key and will be able to open this by arrangement for those arriving during evening hours. Contact by mobile phone to 07796 488654 please if you are arriving after 6pm Thursday.

Special Marina Fees at half price have been negotiated for the rally. These are:

· Use of slipway, £6 each way

· Parking car & Trailer for the weekend: £12 total.

Overnight mooring if required is at the normal visitors’ rate of £12 per night.

Licence & Safety.

A 7-day Licence for the Broads is available to be purchased from the office of Broom Boats, near the Marina, at a cost of £40.60. No form filling is required and two adhesive labels will be issued for attachment to the boat.

Although the Broads have adopted the Boat Safety Scheme, they do not apparently insist on the certificate for the issue of a 7-day licence. Their website states “Visiting craft that do not hold a current BSS certificate may be subject to a dangerous boat check”.

Petrol Supplies.

Riverside petrol is not easily available on the Southern Broads. The only known supply point is at the Waveney River Centre which might well be about half-way through our cruise. Otherwise it may be necessary to obtain petrol from nearby garages. Without detailed planning, it’s difficult to forecast what distance we might travel, but it’s unlikely to exceed about 60-70 statute miles of which, hopefully, some proportion should be sailing.

Maps/Charts.

There are several suitable choices and alternatives. One such is “The Broads” by GEOprojects (UK) Ltd 8 Southern Court, South Street, Reading, RG1 4QS Tel: 0118 939 3567 or website http://www.geoprojects.net This is a map, not a chart, but it does give some basic advice where navigation warnings are appropriate. Like many others, it is generally available from nautical bookshops.

Cruise Planning.

This will be on a daily basis dependant on numbers participating, weather conditions, etc. There are several options and overnight mooring within walking distance of a suitable hostelry can be expected. A BBQ might be appropriate at some stage so do bring a portable one and something to cook thereon.

Showers and toilets including portaloo emptying facilities are available at Oulton Broad and it is likely that will be one of our ports of call during the weekend.

Shopping facilities are within walking distance at several towns and villages including Reedham, Oulton Broad and Beccles.

Low Bridges.

The only bridge likely to impede our progress is at Haddiscoe Cut, approximately half way between Brundall and Oulton Broad, where the air draught is stated as 24 ft or 7.32 metres. It is therefore essential to be able to lower the mast briefly at this point. There are also two low rail bridges, but both are swing bridges and open on request subject to the train timetable.

Responsibility.

As always, the Skipper is in charge of your boat both on land and on the water. Any arrangements suggested above, or planned during the Rally, are purely suggestions and it is the individual Skipper’s responsibility as to how and whether they should be followed.