Thanks to volunteers
Two major projects since the last bulletin which could not have been achieved without a lot of hard work - many thanks to everyone who came along. We successfully moved all our spare gear out of the Gosport Sea Cadet building (many thanks to them for the use of this storage space over many years) and into the new container at the Riverside Boatyard, thanks to Wolf, Caz, Mattie, Annie Holt, Di Roberts and Martin Skipper.

Later we had two days in Gosport to prepare for the Tall Ships series, as we'll be away from our home base for almost two months. We cleaned the whole boat, loaded huge amounts of non-perishable stores, and did a lot of essential maintenance. Many thanks to Wolf, Liz, Chris and Tristan from Contact Marine, Chris Robinson, Caz, Ben Gillett, Kerrin Koetsier, Lucy Jack, Colin Robertson, Heidi Frith, Emma Burrows, Mark Boggis, Annie Holt and Jordan Saunders.

Website version of this newsletter
Don't forget you can read this newsletter on the website: http://www.oytsouth.org/newsletter/latest-newsletter.asp. The linked index makes it quicker to jump to the sections you want! And there are pictures, which I don't put in the email version because they can cause problems for those not on broadband. You can also read any back issues which you may have missed.

* Move to new storage container - volunteers desperately needed 29/30 June
We have only had a couple of volunteers responding to our appeal to help us move kit to our new container this Sunday and Monday, and we really wanted a team of six or seven! PLEASE help if you can - it is really vital that we get a few more people. We have to get all our equipment - spare ropes, sails, refit equipment, etc. - out of the Sea Cadet unit in Gosport and into our new container at Riverside Boatyard, Bursledon. Please call Wolf on 07771 771864 if you could help on either day.

Website version of this newsletter
Don't forget you can read this newsletter on the website: http://www.oytsouth.org/newsletter/latest-newsletter.asp. The linked index makes it quicker to jump to the sections you want! And there are pictures, which I don't put in the email version because they can cause problems for those not on broadband. You can also read any back issues which you may have missed.

* Move to new storage container - volunteers needed 29/30 June

Website version of this newsletter
Don't forget you can read this newsletter on the website: http://www.oytsouth.org/newsletter/latest-newsletter.asp. The linked index makes it quicker to jump to the sections you want! And there are pictures, which I don't put in the email version because they can cause problems for those not on broadband. You can also read any back issues which you may have missed.

* Vessel tracking
There is a temporary problem with John Laing's vessel tracking system which normally shows up on our website (http://www.oytsouth.org/tracking-john-laing.asp). Apologies to anyone who has been trying to follow the vessel's progress this week. We will try to get the problem resolved as quickly as possible.

* June adult sailing weekend - places still available

Storage URGENTLY needed
We've had this appeal in the bulletin for a few weeks, but the best offer so far will cost us £1,500 a year - a big burden for a small charity! Before we have to commit to this, PLEASE think hard about whether you have any space where we could store a 20-foot container, or if you know of an empty garage or similar space that we could have for less than £1,500 (preferably free) in the Hamble or Southampton area, to store equipment used during the refit, and spares for the sailing season. Contact the office 0845 365 6781 office@oytsouth.org a.s.a.p. with any offers or ideas!
 
* June adult sailing weekend - places still available

* Storage URGENTLY needed
We've had this appeal in the bulletin for a few weeks, but the best offer so far will cost us £1,500 a year - a big burden for a small charity! Before we have to commit to this, PLEASE think hard about whether you have any space where we could store a 20-foot container, or if you know of an empty garage or similar space that we could have for less than £1,500 (preferably free) in the Hamble or Southampton area, to store equipment used during the refit, and spares for the sailing season. Contact the office 0845 365 6781 office@oytsouth.org a.s.a.p. with any offers or ideas!

* June 9-14 - second mate needed - URGENT
We are still short of a second mate for 9-14 June - please contact me a.s.a.p. if you could help.

Maintenance day June 8th
There will be a maintenance day on Sunday 8th June in Southampton. Help needed, both skilled and unskilled. Please call Wolf on 07771 771864 and book yourself in.

* June 9-14 - qualified watch leader needed
We are still short of a second mate for 9-14 June. It is possible that the bosun booked for that voyage may be a second mate by then, in which case we could fill the gap with an extra qualified third mate. Please contact me a.s.a.p. if you could help.

* Maintenance day June 8th
There will be a maintenance day on Sunday 8th June in Southampton. Help needed, both skilled and unskilled. Please call Wolf on 07771 771864 and book yourself in.

* Ocean Youth Club 1960s to 2008
David Baker sailed with the Ocean Youth Club several times as a teenager in the 1960s. Forty years later he came back for an adult voyage. Here is David's account of his latest voyage, and his reflections on how things have changed: http://www.oytsouth.org/how-to-sail-with-us/david.asp. Well worth a read!

* June adult sailing weekend - at least TWO places left

* June adult sailing weekend
20-22 June (8pm Friday till 5pm Sunday): Southampton, £150, at least 4 places left (over-18s only). Anyone want to come? This should be a relaxed, fun weekend in John Laing. Ideal for anyone who just wants to go for a sail, it would also be a good option for anyone who is thinking of joining our volunteer sea staff and wants to find out more about us (though this is NOT a formal mates' training weekend). It's also open to parents of past crew members who want to sample the John Laing experience for yourselves, or any other adult who just wants to enjoy a weekend away and find out a bit more about us. Contact the office on 0845 365 6781 for bookings.

* Tall Ships 2008 - just ONE last place left

* Short notice vacancy: 1 place left on adult voyage next week
We have one space available on the adult voyage next week, 29 April to 4 May (Southampton to Poole, £275) following an unavoidable cancellation. This is suitable for anyone aged 16+. Call 0845 365 6781 if you would like to come - you won't be able to book it by emailing me as I shall be on the boat and won't see your message in time.
 
* Maintenance day next Monday - help needed (and social evening afterwards)
John Laing has a maintenance day next Monday 28th April, in Southampton - help needed, skilled and unskilled. Call Skipper Wolf on 07771 771864 if you could come and help - he needs to know numbers in advance, so he can plan jobs (as well as planning to feed you!). And we are aiming to have a social evening afterwards - again, call Wolf if you would like to come. This will be a chance for people to say hello to our new General Manager, Chris Robinson.
 

* General Manager appointment
OYT South is delighted to announce that our next General Manager will be Chris Robinson. Chris is a highly experienced manager with a strong background in business development, client services, sales and marketing and project management.

His skills and experience will help to take OYT South forward over the next few years, as we seek to grow and develop, and as we face exciting new challenges including the New Boat Project. Chris will be starting work on Monday 19th May, alongside the current General Manager, David Salmon, and the Office Administrator, Sally Croly, and will spend several months on vital project work while becoming thoroughly familiar with the charity, ready to take over when David retires in November. We are all looking forward to welcoming Chris to the team.