The Forth Yacht Clubs Association, the parent organising body of ECSW 2010 with BP, is again honoured to enjoy the support of BP as Principal Sponsor of this major sailing event on the East Coast at its tri-annual Forth Estuary location. BP’s Hound Point crude oil loading terminal is the largest marine operation on the Forth. BP has been the principal sponsor of the Forth event now since 1995, during which time more than 400 yachts have raced over miles of courses in weather ranging from thunderstorms to sunny calms, with some exciting and unplanned occurrences but no reportable accidents or misdemeanours under port regulations. The consistent strength has been the demand for quality of event organisation and competence by competitors, resulting in enjoyable racing, great social mingling ashore and the development of good working relationships between sponsors, commercial operators, the port authorities and the thousands of sailors who can confidently sail safely in our busy local waters.

ECSW 2010 with BP is delighted to have confirmed the sponsorship of Mainstream Renewable Power plc, one of the organizations currently engaged in search for reliable and renewable energy in the outer reaches of the Forth, as well as elsewhere throughout the World from the Americas to Europe and Africa, even in the Southern North Sea off Norfolk! While we sailors may have a common power source, our scales of operation are somewhat disparate, but we hope to demonstrate to our participants and supporters that through partnership in many ways we may achieve a solution greater than the sum of its parts. We are currently discussing with Mainstream the best way to afford them relevant and effective exposure during the “week” and how their experience may assist our event.

British Waterways (Scotland) have again agreed to provide the essential, but temporary, extension to the pontoon berthing system in Granton harbour. This practical sponsorship in kind is particularly welcome as it reinforces the relationship between the boating users of all the Scottish waterways, both inland and coastal, with the sea-going origins of the canals and with the publicly-owned operator of the sea-to-sea, city-to-city facilities. Most East Coast yachts are able to transit all three trans-Scotland canals, the Caledonian, Crinan and Forth and Clyde, while shallower draft vessels can access Glasgow and Edinburgh city centres by entering the system through tidal sealocks and the dramatic Falkirk Wheel boatlift. British Waterways operate for the benefit of the public in many ways, not only boaters, and their efforts have launched urban regeneration throughout the former industrial areas along the central Scotland corridor, creating greener space for recreation and employment for local people. The investment of lottery and public money during the Millennium Link Project has been the catalyst for threefold returns to local authority and community interests. The canals are now an asset to be proud of and merit your interest and use.

Forth Ports plc has again confirmed their support for ECSW with BP in 2010, sponsoring our event through making the use of Granton Harbour available and allowing temporary use of adjacent areas for boat transfers, parking and the like.  While FPplc cannot provide surplus cash injection in the current property market downturn, their contribution “in kind” is a major element of support, without which we would have no secure home port and moorings and is very much appreciated, especially at this early stage by the organisers who are now making reliable, secure and detailed plans for the shore-based activity.

Along with Forth Ports plc, we must immediately recognise the Royal Forth Yacht Club as main sponsors of the ECSW with BP event, as their hospitality and welcome within their clubhouse and boatyard uniquely provides the waterfront venue which has been so successful in past years and confidently expected to sparkle again in 2010. The Forth Corinthian Yacht Club, adding their adjacent facilities at Granton Square to the mix of on-shore hospitality is also most welcome.