The annual RYA Autumn Muster in Cowes over the weekend saw sailors and powerboaters get together for a series of practical master classes and one to one support and advice from industry experts.

Some twenty four boats from across the South Coast and even as far afield as Swale Marina on the East Coast, gathered at Cowes Yacht Haven, Isle of Wight to embark on a busy weekend schedule of both on water and shore based activities.

The whipping and splicing master class proved as popular as ever with participants getting the opportunity give it a go for themselves under the expert eye of rigging expert Dave from Aladdin’s Cave.

Whilst representatives from the RNLI and Ocean Safety, ran an interactive ‘Abandoning Ship’ session with the use of some willing volunteers demonstrating the use of lifejackets and life rafts.

Experts from ICOM, Sea Start, The Green Blue and Raymarine were also on hand throughout the weekend providing bespoke advice and guidance on board individual boats, helping provide answers to all the muster go’ers questions.

Out on the water the ‘Try Sail’ and ‘Try Power’ sessions provided attendees with the opportunity to get some boat handling tips for the experts from Sealine Sea School and Hamble School of Yachting or even just a taste of how the other half do it.