A New Dawn in Le Guilvinec!

AIS trails Plot Star 1994.

The aerial seen on the foremast at the start of the clip is for the new AIS system being trialled on the Pilot Star - 1994.

 An early incarnation of AIS was trialled aboard the Newlyn netter, Pilot Star skippered by owner Martin Johns. At one time, Martin was invited to London to se AIS working on a huge display screen - bet he never dreamt he would be using a mobile phone to do the same a few years later - in context, 1994 was a year before Microsoft released Windows 95 and bundled Internet Explorer with it - most schools, colleges and universities only had access to the internet in specialised teaching rooms for ~IT students. A few people at home tangled with 14Kb dial-up internet access - if they were able to configure the settings! Texting on a mobile phone was introduced in 1994.

Cornwall's Maritime Strategy - from Cornwall Council.

Cornwall's coast - fishing - environment - shipping - bio-diversity - leisure - tourism

About to go online tomorrow - a chance for all those involve to participate in the future of Cornwall's maritime role. Worth going to the page on the web site to see some of the comments that this article has already received! 

The future of Cornwall's delicate coastline and seas is being mapped out in a maritime strategy aimed at safeguarding marine enterprises worth £485 million – and protecting the environment.

The draft maritime strategy is the brainchild of Cornwall Council which is launching a consultation on the future of Cornwall's coast, seas and vital maritime sectors. ​ Andy Brigden, the council's maritime manager said the strategy would look at the challenges and opportunities facing those who rely on the county's maritime heritage to make a living. He said: "The strategy will guide the future direction of work, increase the recognition of the importance of the maritime sector and respond to the various challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. "We hope anyone who works, lives or plays on the sea or around our coast will take the time to look at this consultation and let us know their views."  

Paul Wickes, chief executive of the Cornwall Marine Network, said the maritime business sector contributed £485 million to the county's economy and supported 14,000 jobs. "The development potential of Cornwall's maritime sector, from the world-class reputation for ship repairs on the world's busiest shipping lane, super-yacht manufacture and the fast-emerging opportunities for developing Cornwall as a world leader in marine renewable energy production, all contribute to the region's future long-term prosperity," he said. Included in the study will be everything from boatbuilding to marine renewable energy, surfing to fishing and tourism. Malcolm Bell from Visit Cornwall said people were attracted to the county because of its beautiful marine environment. He said: "Tourism is central to Cornwall's economy; we attract around 4.5 million visitors annually, who spend £1.4 billion and support directly and indirectly over 53,000 jobs around 20 per cent of all employment. Our marine and coastal environment, landscape and activities are a key factor in people choosing Cornwall, which has been voted best UK destination three years in a row." 

Philippa Hoskin, the council's maritime environment officer, said the strategy would also look at key environmental issues. She said: "The sheer diversity of maritime wildlife makes Cornish waters a biodiversity hotspot, demonstrated in the number of nature conservation and landscape designations covering the sheltered muddy creeks of our estuaries, rugged granite cliffs, rocky reefs, islands and beaches to more specialist habitats such as the ancient maerl beds – the Cornish equivalent of a coral reef – all supporting an amazing array of species including commercially important fish and shellfish." 

The draft Cornwall Maritime Strategy and questionnaire will be available online from December 7 to January 18 at www.cornwall.gov.uk/maritimestrategy. Paper copies will be available in each of the Council's One Stop Shops or copies can be requested by phoning 0300 1234141.

Monday morning market.

 Eye's down for a nearly full house this morning, a good mix of trawl and A1 quality inshore fish.......

 including these colourful wrasse, popular with the sushi chefs......

 and a 170 box trip of hake form the Ajax.......

 proving her worth this morning to get in a shot overnight despite the weather, the brand new sardine boat Asthore makes her second landing in Newlyn before........

taking ice ready for the off ce soir.

High water, time to slip away on Saturday.

 Mid neap tide and there's still a few netters against the quay.......

 but aboard the beamer Sapphire the sparks fly.......

 under the gaze from the wheelhouse.......

 as the chain mat and footrope get their end of trip once over............

two identical orange hulls.........

first weekend in Newlyn for the latest boat to join the Cornish fishing fleet, the Asthore owned by Ocean Fish and purpose built to chase sardines.......

she sports  a huge bulbous bow........

 sophisticated fish handling gear........

 as seen from the fore mast....... 

 looks like plenty of weather has passed by this bow........

a subtle reminder on the way out........

off to try and beat the tide, harbourmaster Andrew Munson heads for the slip......

as does the Stevenson harbour launch........

 it's that time of year when........ 

 a lick of red paint.......

might turn Rudolph blue.......

the company flag flies at half mast for ex-skipper Peter 'the Greek' Neale, probably best known for holding the port record for over 20 years with the Altje Adriaante...... 

which has meant another busy week for the Mission team.

Asthore in town.

Making her way to Newlyn for the first time, the ring netter Asthore owned by Ocean Fish and skippered by Peter Bullock arrived in the early hours........

the Asthore was fitted out at Penryn, Cornwall.

Clever chameleon-like cuttles change colour to confuse!

Damned clever fish these cuttles!