H2o Show

On 11th of November 2008, the iconic liner QE2 left Southampton on her final voyage, bound for a new life as a floating hotel in Dubai. On the day, BBC Radio Solent had reporters at strategic points along and on Southampton Water. In a special programme, memories of special times on board were shared by those who sailed, worked and watched her. There are recollections of her time in the Falklands and reactions from those who gathered on the waterside to watch her leave. Podcast produced by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

On this week’s edition, mixed fortunes in the Route du Rhum and Maiden sets sail for her world tour. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.

On this week’s edition, Alex Thomson and Jack Trigger look ahead to the 40th anniversary Route du Rhum. Also the map of World War 1 shipwrecks is launched, new rules on sailing in restricted visibility off Cowes have been introduced, and from the archive, the world famous comedian who polished his act whilst working at a shipwrights in the south. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

On this week’s edition, a Red Funnel car ferry is involved in a collision and runs aground. Plus, Trafalgar Day, a call to ban INEOS Team UK from the America’s Cup. Poole lifeboat, no Type 26's for Porstmouth and It's the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest sea rescues conducted by a single unsupported helicopter. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

On this week’s edition, a massive visitor to the Solent, virtual sailing and a family’s plan to row the Atlantic. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

On this week’s edition jets land on the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time, a Wight Link deck officer is decorated and from the archives we go on a tour of historic tug Calshot. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

Maiden makes a triumphant return to the Southampton Boat Show with Tracy Edwards MBE. Also a competitor in the Golden Globe race is rescued, we hear about a couple’s challenge to visit every RNLI station in the UK and 14 Royal Navy P2000s have been on exercise in the Solent. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.

The end of the line for the Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival. Also we hear from the teenager from Warsash who sailed round the Isle of Wight for charity, an adventurer prepares for a round the world voyage and a cross Solent ferry operator goes green. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.

Reaction from Geoff Holt MBE as sailing is once again dropped from the Paralympic Games. The 50th Southampton Boat Show opens, Simon LeBon talks about the Tall Ships Youth Trust, we hear from a veteran lifeboat crew member and there’s bad news for the Royal Marines Museum in Portsmouth Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.

This week: Sir Ben Ainslie and his backer talk about their America’s Cup dream. Also, the Dorset designed AB dinghy class marks its 60 anniversary, Hamble Lifeboat its 50th and Alan Priddy unveils his round the world powerboat. A boat used by disabled youngsters in Dorset is destroyed by fire and we mark Merchant Navy day. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.

The 36th America’s Cup is launched in Cowes. Hear from all 4 skippers hoping to lift the oldest trophy in international sport. Also, the Harmsworth trophy is lifted, the bell from SS Mendi goes home to South Africa and hear about the man who dazzle painted the Royal Navy fleet in the first world war. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

This week we’re at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy as the 25th anniversary RS Games draws to a close. Also we hear from the sailor with a unique crowd finding scheme, HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves for the States, we look ahead to Bart’s Bash and tributes to paraplegic sailor Hilary Lister Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk Pic: Sportography

Some good news this week from National Coastwatch, a Clipper Race crew member reflects on his race. The Old Gaffers are in Cowes and Poole lifeboat rescues a yacht from the chain ferry.Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley.email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

It’s Cowes Week, and we’re looking back at the world’s greatest sailing regatta. Sir Ben Ainslie tells us about the 1851 trust – Cowes Week’s official charity, Tracy Edwards talks about her 1989 Whitbread race, what happened next and the restoration of Maiden. We’ll hear from some of the young sailors taking part in the regatta, and we find out from title sponsor Lendy why they put their name to this iconic event. Plus we go for a spin with some of the crew of Akzo Nobel, as they look back on their Volvo Ocean Race campaign. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.

History is made as the Clipper Race ends in Liverpool. Also, the Sailing World Championships start in Denmark, it’s lifeboat week in Lyme Regis, we meet the 2 grandads planning to row the Atlantic and remember round the world sailor Tony Bullimore. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk Pic: imagecomms Clipper Race Finish, Liverpool.

This week from on board SS Shieldhall as the charity celebrates 30 years of ownership. Also this week Red Jet 7 is named, and we remember Sir Alec Rose’s return to Portsmouth in July 1968. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.

In this Round the Island Race round up we hear from some of the trophy winners, including the Gold Roman Bowl winner. And spend time with the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat as they prepare to go out on patrol. Plus we have the founder of the Turn to Starboard charity telling us about the plans for their new Gosport centre, we’re on board HMS Bristol at the annual Portsmouth Schools Regatta and Ian Walker tells us about the challenges facing British Sailing. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

This week, a dramatic finish to the Volvo Ocean Race and Sir Ben Ainslie talks about his team’s plans for the next America’s Cup campaign. We’re at Seawork International in Southampton, finding out how the event has grown over the past 21 years, visit Trinity House’s Alert, hear about a new kill cord design and meet a female engineering trainee. Also this week, we have a look around Dorset’s last remaining tall ship, find out what it takes to be a ferryman on the Hamble, hear from the cast of a play marking the SS Mendi tragedy and find out how noise could be affecting marine life Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Shelley Jory-Leigh tour WWII submarine HMS Alliance.

In this archive edition, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Shelley Jory-Leigh visit The Needles lighthouse.They hear from Gordon Medlicott, one of the last keepers to live at the lighthouse before it was automated in 1994.Trinity House’s lighthouse manager Warren Clarke is on hand to give them a tour of the famous landmark, and attendant Sean Crane tells them how the light is maintained.