Solent Branch

The Solent Branch of the RIN is located in one of the key navigational hubs in the UK. At sea, Southampton is still the home of the Cunard Fleet and many other famous ships. Portsmouth's links with the Royal Navy, dating back to the time of Nelson, are as strong as ever. The RYA and the RNLI have their headquarters in the region, as do many maritime companies such as Garmin and Raytheon. As a yachting centre the Solent is without parallel.

On land and in the air, the region embraces such organisations as Ordnance Survey and the main UK Air Traffic Control Centre at Swanwick, to name but two. The objective of the Solent Branch is to be a focal point in the Solent area for all involved in navigational activities, be they professional or amateur; Master or student; civil or military.

Operating across the region with activities at local colleges, yacht clubs, commercial organisations, Ordnance Survey and other centres, such as the Southampton Hall of Aviation, the Branch runs a full and varied programme of events and visits. Regular newsletters keep members informed about our events. To get involved in the Solent Branch or simply to attend a meeting as a visitor contact the Branch Secretary through admin@rin.org.uk

For Solent region information about the weather, tides, habours and shipping the links below will be useful for both local mariners and visitors:-

For the times of local weather forecasts on BBC and commercial stations and much more visit - www.qhmportsmouth.com ( Click "information for mariners" then "weather")

For the shipping and inshore forcasts visit - www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/marine

To see what is happening at present - www.sotonmet.co.uk

For longer term forecasts try - www.windguru.cz or www.xcweather.co.uk

For tidal information - www.ukho.gov.uk/easytide

For harbour information - www.harbours.co.uk

To see the current AIS display of ships positions and much more - www.ais-live.co.uk

For information about Solent events, yacht clubs and classes - www.scra.org.uk