Affiliated

The Merchant Navy Association Boat Club Commodore: Clive Edwards, 19 Horsford Street, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UH Tel 07785 392892, email clivecgedwards@gmail.com MNABC COMMITTEE MEETING “SELANGOR HOUSE”, MARKET STREET, TUNSTEAD NR12 8QY WEDNESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 2026 1. Meeting opening The meeting opened at 14.00 hours. The Commodore & Chairman welcomed the three Committee members to the meeting and thanked NW for providing the meeting venue. Members present: C Edwards (Commodore and Chairman) – (CE), R Card (Vice Commodore) – (RC), T Brant (Secretary) – (TB) and N Williams (Membership Secretary) - NW. 2. Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from: Mrs V Foster (Rear Commodore), J Sail (Rear Commodore), I Pearson (Treasurer), D Hearn (Webmaster), L Payne (Committee Member), Graeme Shimmings (Committee Member) and C Woods (Committee Member). 3. Matters arising from the last meeting CE stated he had received a positive response from K Usher (MNA National Secretary) regarding a future discussion for improved links between the MNABC and MNA National. Dates for a Teams meeting would be sent to K Usher. A change of the Club name would be considered after the above meeting. 4. Commodore’s report CE advised that Ian Pearson, Commodore, had stood down but he had agreed to remain as Treasurer until the next AGM and would help with the AGM arrangements in Hull. CE stated he would continue as Commodore and he was co-opted for this position until the next AGM which was unanimously agreed by the meeting. D Cornes had resigned as Membership Secretary and N Williams had agreed to take over the position. He was co-opted into the position for ratification at the AGM. M Harris had stood down as Shop Manager due to pressure of work but would continue to sell the MNABC stock. He was due to set-up a website MNABC Facebook page. 5. Officer’s reports 5.1 Treasurer The Bank Balance was reported by IP as £642.55. 5.2 Membership NW reported that there were now 30 members. 5.3 Webmaster CE stated that David Hearn continued in updating the Club website which was greatly appreciated. 6. Benefits of being a MNABC member The following proposals were drawn-up by RC and was thanked for all his hard work and dedication in preparing them. Recruitment of New members Identifying the benefits and potential benefits of becoming a member of the MNABC in terms of producing these in a format suitable for printing as a leaflet in line with the paper discussed at our meeting in Peterborough, as summarised below Benefits of MNABC-to-MNABC members at large or boaters at large Affiliation to the RYA enable the MNABC to promote the interest of MNABC members, centrally and through the RYA regional committees. Lobby authorities on matters affecting safety on the water, river and canal sides and along the coast. * Operational Partnership with the RNLI for members to become MNABC-RNLI Volunteer Ambassadors to promote the National Respect the Water Campaign on inland waterways. * Partnership with the National Independent Lifeboat Association (NILA) to support and promote independent lifeboat stations around the UK. Affiliation and/or operational partnerships with other organisations such as the National Independent Lifeboat Association, The Institute of Seamanship, The National Water Safety Forum and local and regional boating associations. Formation of special interest groups, in particular the MNABC Water Watch scheme where members act as watchkeepers afloat or ashore and Spot, Plot, Report incidents, potential incidents or hazards on the sea and on the UK’s inland waterways to HM Coastguard and liaise with the local Marine Police. Publication of the MNABC’s “Boating Basics” guide for newcomers to boating. Publication of articles in publications such as Institute of Seamanship Journal, Full Ahead, Canals on Line, Practical Boat Owner etc. Provision of Safety Boat Crews for international sailing races and local regattas. (* These benefits are pursuant to the first of the MNABC’s two objects under its Constitution: the facilitation and promotion of safe participation in boating.) Benefits (Actual or Potential) to individual MNABC members (What’s in it for me?) In what follows under this heading, the benefits mentioned will sometimes depend on increasing the MNABC’s membership, especially in most areas. Except in two areas (East Anglia and Solent/Dorset), the MNABC currently does not have the membership to facilitate them. Where a benefit requires funding, the MNABC’s current low membership and consequent low subscription income present a problem; one solution is sponsorship. The MNABC provides or could provide the following actual or potential benefits for its members: Fellowship The MNABC can provide fellowship, in particular for these of its members who do not belong to any form of boating club. The MNABC is unlikely to appeal to two types of boaters: those who race (who will already belong to a sailing club), and those who belong to a cruising club. Fellowship be fostered in various ways. For example: One way is via social get-togethers with fellow members, e.g. coffee mornings and meeting-ups in pubs, especially if one has a speaker or other entertainment. Another way is a members’ forum on a regional or national basis via Zoom, Teams, Facebook etc. The forum could deal with matters relating to the MNABC or general boating matters/chat. A particularly enjoyable way of promoting fellowship is via members meeting up accompanied by their craft. This could be done on a regional basis or as has happened on two occasions at the time of MNABC AGMs. For dinghy sailors, meeting up could be achieved by group participation in sailing a dinghy trail devised by the RYA. Participation in the work of special interest groups and in the work of Safety Boat Crews for international sailing races and local regattas, referred to above, would enhance fellowship among the members concerned. MNABC information/news on a national or regional basis via email. The information/news could relate to national or regional boating news or issues relevant to MNABC members. This benefit could appeal in particular to those who do not belong to another boating organisation. Discounts and concessions The RYA does it, and so do some other boating organisations, i.e. negotiate special deals for MNABC members, e.g. discounts on insurance premiums. Annual members’ handbook It could include information useful to members, such as a list of members, their craft and boating area, tidal tables (e.g. for Dover) with list of tidal constants, details regarding port authorities and navigation authorities (including navigational matters and charges for navigation), the MNABC Constitution, a list of Committee members (with thumbnail sketches of them) and roles/contact details, and a calendar of MNABC events. Unless, and until, the MNABC could afford, and wanted, a hard copy Handbook, the Handbook would only be on line in the form of a “Flip Book” accessible via the MNABC website. MNABC flag, badge etc MNABC members are entitled to the MNABC pennant flag, lapel badge and have access to a range of MNA Boat Club regalia., and (hopefully) defaced Red Ensign. All such items are available from the MNABC slops chest. A positive discussion followed on the benefits. Provide a member’s handbook and an Events calendar. Entitlement to fly the MNABC pennant and purchase other regalia - some MNABC members do not belong to another club entitling them to fly a pennant. The Benefits were listed on the MNABC website home page -http://www.mnaboatclub.org.uk/ 7. Any other Business RC had recently received a Department for Transport Open consultation entitled “Draft Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) (Amendment) Order published 3 February 2026. RC undertook to review the consultation so a reply from the MNABC could be made. A copy of the MNABC response is attached. 8. Next Committee meetings Committee meeting – date/time to be advised. AGM – 23 September in Hull. Time and venue to be advised. Social activities to be arranged. 9. Meeting closure The meeting closed at 15.50 hours.