Sussex Motor Yacht Club

24/03/2026

Rescue Near Brighton Marina ⚓️

On Saturday, Shoreham RNLI volunteers rescued a lone yachtsman after his yacht was found drifting near the Rampion Wind Farm off the Sussex coast. The skipper, who had set off from Southampton bound for Hartlepool, had reportedly become exhausted and fallen asleep after raising the alarm. RNLI crew boarded the yacht, checked he was safe, restarted the engine and escorted him back into Shoreham Harbour in the early hours. A timely reminder of the importance of calling for help early and of the outstanding work our local lifeboat crews do.

Quick Safety Check:

✅ Always carry a means of calling for help.
✅ Wear a lifejacket when on or near the water.
✅ Check local tide and weather conditions before heading out.

Full details via BBC News:

The skipper is found asleep and exhausted as his vessel drifted in and out of the Rampion windfarm.

10/03/2026

This morning at around 4am, firefighters were called to Premier Brighton Marina after a fire broke out on one of the boats on the West jetty. It would appear the vessel is a total loss, but thankfully there are no reports of casualties or anyone onboard. Its a timely reminder to brush up on your fire safety. According to 2025 UK Fire & Rescue statistics, the average response time to a primary fire is over 9 minutes. On the water, you are your own first responder; preparation is everything. We're sharing these resources to help you prepare:-

RYA Fire Safety Guidance: https://www.rya.org.uk/water-safety/boat-safety-and-maintenance/fire-safety-on-boats/

UK Government Fire Safety on Boats checklist:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/628780b2d3bf7f1f422c883c/Fire_Safety_on_Boats_v4_-_Web_accessible.pdf

The cause of the blaze at the West Jetty Marina in Brighton was accidental, the fire service says.

27/02/2026

Goodbye February, Hello March! 👋💐

We made it through the shortest month. Next month brings the official start of spring, warmer tides, and the beginning of the fitting-out rush.

Have a great weekend, everyone. If you're at the club this weekend, come say hello!

25/02/2026

⚠️ Safety Reminder: The Kill Cord

It’s a simple red curly wire, but it saves lives.

If you are operating a tender, PWC, or an open motor boat this season, the kill cord must be attached to your leg or lifejacket.

Incidents happen in a split second. If the driver is thrown out, the boat will continue to circle, posing a lethal threat to the person in the water.

Rule of thumb: Engine on? Kill cord on.

23/02/2026

📜 Heritage Monday: A New Home at Soldiers Point

After WWII, the landscape of Sussex changed, and so did we. In 1949, the sailing division moved to the Lighthouse Club.

Eventually, this transition led us toward our presence at Soldiers Point. The history of our club is very much a history of moving to where the water (and the members) needed us most.

Read the full story of our locations: https://www.sussexmotoryachtclub.co.uk/history

20/02/2026

The days are getting longer! ☀️⏳

Sunset is now creeping past 5:20 PM. Can you feel the spring itching to start?

What is the number one thing you are looking forward to this season? A) A specific destination? 🗺️ B) Testing out new gear? ⚙️ C) Just a quiet pint or G&T on the deck? 🍺

Let us know below!

18/02/2026

🌿 Fuel Focus: HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil)

You might have seen "HVO" appearing at more fuel pumps along the UK coast recently. But what is it?

HVO is a drop-in replacement for red diesel that reduces net CO2 emissions by up to 90%. The best part? For most modern diesel engines, it requires no modifications. It also doesn't suffer from "diesel bug" the way bio-diesel blends do, making it safer for tanks sitting idle over winter.

Thinking of switching your fuel this year?

16/02/2026

📜 Heritage Monday: Becoming Official

In 1929, we made it official. "The Sussex Motor Yacht Club Ltd" was incorporated.

During the late 20s and 30s, the club was described as "unrivalled for comfort," becoming a major social hub on the Sussex coast. It was a golden era for motor yachting, with designs becoming sleeker and engines more reliable, allowing members to venture further afield.

https://www.sussexmotoryachtclub.co.uk/history

13/02/2026

👻 It’s Friday the 13th...

We know mariners are a superstitious bunch! From bananas on board 🍌 to whistling in the wind 🌬️, the sea is full of old myths.

Since it’s Friday the 13th, we want to know: Do you follow any boating superstitions? Or is it bad luck just to talk about them? 😉

Tell us in the comments! 👇

11/02/2026

🎙️ Radio Check: Can you hear me?

Before we get fully into the 2026 season, let’s talk comms. When was the last time you actually tested your VHF radio?

1. Check your aerial: Winter storms can damage antennas.

2. Radio Check: Don't use Channel 16 for a radio check! Use a marina channel or the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) local working channel if available.

3. MMSI: Is your DSC registration up to date with your current contact info?

A working radio is your lifeline.

09/02/2026

📜 Heritage Monday: A Prestige President

In 1921, as the world recovered from the Great War, SMYC appointed a new President who brought serious maritime weight to the club: Admiral Sir Edmond Slade.

Sir Edmond wasn't just a figurehead; he was a key figure in the transition of the Royal Navy from coal to oil fuel -a pioneer in propulsion, much like the motor yacht enthusiasts of our early days. His leadership helped solidify the club's standing in the post-war era.

Read more about our timeline: https://www.sussexmotoryachtclub.co.uk/history

Since 1907 sussex motor Yacht Club Our story begins inAPril1907 The Sussex Motor Yacht Club was founded in April 1907. The Bystander, a magazine of the day, reported in its May 22, 1907 edition, that “the inaugural luncheon of the club was held at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, on Saturday the 11th of...