Getting into sailing at Milford Marina

Tell us more about your sailing yacht, “Ronor”

Ronor is a Mirage 28, a bilge keel sailing yacht. She is in the boatyard at the moment for some maintenance including a new seacock by the engine, and some rudder repairs. I was full of excitement when she first came out and like a bull at a gate, I ripped all the headlining down!

As most boat owners know all too well my motivation has waned a bit due to the weather preventing things being done and I keep finding extra things that need doing. So, to get my mojo back, I’ve ordered some sparkle to add to my boat in the form of glitter wall cladding! Once the repairs are finished, she’ll just need to be anti-fouled and she’ll be back in the water.

What’s the best thing about being a berth holder at Milford Marina?

Definitely the community, I’ve made some lifelong friends! I’ve been given instructions on how to sail and have had lots of help and advice from my fellow berth holders. Everyone helps everyone, we all keep an eye on the boats and there’s always an invite either to hop aboard my boat or theirs.

It can be daunting to head out on the water for the first time, what advice do you have for any novices to sailing?

There is so much to learn but practice makes perfect! I knew absolutely nothing about sailing when I first bought my boat and I had a few rolling of eyes and sniggers, but this made me even more determined to learn as much as I could and attempt to do it well. I’ve had the best and most patient people who have taken the time to come out with me onboard Ronor.

I managed to get out on the Milford Haven Waterway more than twenty times last summer (Yes, I did count!) and I have also completed a marine radio course and the RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling course, which have been extremely useful and would highly recommend.

Don’t forget to familiarise yourself with the rules of the road (safety regulations in place to reduce the risk of collisions between vessels) and abide by the bye-laws in order to safely navigate along the Milford Haven Waterway.

The Port of Milford Haven’s Notices to Mariners advises of particular activities or situation which may impact on the safety of users or those carrying out activities, please subscribe to keep up to date.

Where has been your favourite place to sail to and why?

There are plenty of places to sail to, but I would have to say Lawrenny! I spent the whole of the summer up and down the estuary while learning the basics. I absolutely loved getting to Lawrenny, mooring up at the bottom of the pontoon and proudly looking at my boat from the beer garden while I enjoyed a well-earned break and a bowl of chips.

The Milford Haven Waterway is phenomenal to sail around as the scenery varies throughout, the views are hard to beat.

The Port of Milford Haven have produced a Leisure User Guide which shows how to use the Waterway safely including designated areas, dead slow minimum wake areas, pontoons and moorings along the Waterway and more.

We can appreciate that it’s not always ‘plain sailing’ when it comes to boats, what’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to face so far?

My biggest challenge was actually getting back from Lawrenny the same day I took the photo above. I was advised to always go with the tide (with my tiny engine), but I was insistent that I wanted to go to Lawrenny and on our way back we were really battling against the tide.

It was a calm day with hardly any wind and to cut a long story short we ended up having to sail onto the Mackerel Stage before being towed in. I had spent 16 hours on the estuary by the time I’d got home but with the mindset of every cloud has a silver lining, I would never have sailed onto a pontoon with no engine otherwise - all good learning!

Luckily, I managed to get back to my berth, but I always make sure my lifejackets and radio are in good working order in case of an emergency.

If you ever find yourself in difficulty whilst on the Waterway, it’s imperative to know how to call for help.

Have you got any sailing goals that you’ve set yourself?

The next goal I have after a few local sails (I feel a bit rusty now) is to sail out of Milford Marina on my own with a fellow berth holder on their boat in front of me and then anchor or moor up a short distance up the estuary and then once I feel comfortable, I’d be happy for them to leave me on my own for the night. Eventually, I would want venture further afield and maybe even make use of the Passeport Escales scheme!

When will you be heading out on the water next?

I’m being lifted in this week, just in time for the good weather. I’m eager to get back on the water once I’ve carried out all the necessary pre-season boat checks!