It's that time again, Round The Island Race

In summary - watch out for large quantities of our yottie friends all around the Island on Saturday 20th June. If you are fishing in their way, expect some close company! Here are the details from QHM Portsmouth:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth in conjunction with ABP Southampton(Notice 11 T- 2009)and the Cowes Harbour Master that the ‘Round the Island Race’ will start from Cowes between 0730 - 0910 on Saturday 20th June 2009. About 1700 yachts are expected to take part in the Race. In order to control the congestion that is likely to arise in the Central Solent, during the start period and throughout the day, the following procedures will be adopted.

• The start line will be the Royal Yacht Squadron westerly transit line. The outer distanceMark will be an inflatable orange pillar buoy secured to the Williams Shipping Buoy for the day.
• Due to the number of competitors taking part, the various class starting times will be staggered to take place at 10-minute intervals between 0730hrs and 0910hrs.
• The anti-clockwise course around the Isle of Wight will be from Cowes west-about and back to Cowes. Turning marks for the race are at the Needles Lighthouse, Saint Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge Buoy.
• In order to separate the competitors from any commercial traffic movements intending to pass through the Central Solent, or bound to or from the Port of Southampton, during the starting period, where possible Masters of vessels not directly involved in the event are to arrange to be clear of the start area by 0700hrs and are not to enter the start area until after 0930hrs or when the bulk of competitors have cleared the area.
• It has been agreed with the organisers that all competitors awaiting their class starting time will proceed to designated holding / waiting areas, to avoid congestion in the main navigable channel. All competitors will be equipped with VHF radio and will keep a listening watch on Channel 37, in the event that a recall or postponement becomes necessary, for example, for the passage of a large commercial vessel through the area.
• Whilst the main bulk of the fleet of yachts is expected to pass the Bembridge Ledge Buoy between 1600 and 1900 and the peak finishing time at Cowes is likely to be between 1700and 2100, it should be noted that the earliest finish could be around 1030 and the finish limit time is 2230. Hence, there will be increased levels of recreational activity within the Central Solent area throughout this period.
• Should the weather forecast indicate light airs, the finish line may be adjusted to be in the vicinity of Bembridge Ledge.
• All spectator craft not taking part in the race are to keep well clear of the start area. Further information and updates on the ‘Round the Island Race’, both ahead of and on Race Day, is available at http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/