Hamble’s Harbour Master, creative Tony Clatworthy, has emailed Yachting Monthly a seasonal Christmas message with a special Port Marine Safety Code for the festive period….

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following rules apply for the period 2359 hrs 24 December 2008 until 0001 hrs 26 January 2008

1. Low flying sleighs are restricted to a maximum speed of 6 knots within the Harbour Limits.
Vessels expecting a visit from Father Christmas must display the appropriate lights and shapes as required by the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions of Sleighs.

2. Sleigh bells must be silenced after sunset.

3. He also thanks all River users for their kind gifts of??
Twelve dinghies racing
Eleven lights occulting
Ten fenders missing
Nine staff revolting
Eight buoys a-floating
Seven swans a-swimming
Six ships a-sinking
Five – short blasts
Four speeding RIBs
Three French yachts
Two woolly socks
And an egret in an oak tree