Laura Hodgetts

Features Editor at Practical Boat Owner

Cruising Editor at Yachting Monthly

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Articles

Left for dead after falling overboard: how one sailor survived 5 hours lost at sea before rescue

2 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Roger Cottle was presumed dead after falling overboard a 27ft yacht and lost at sea for five-and-a-half hours in a holed lifejacket, at night in the Bay of Biscay TAGS: Man OverboardseamanshipTop stories Falling overboard, I discovered that what they don’t tell you on the sailing courses is that a safety harness is great until you fall in, and then you become a waterskier.
Plan to secure future of nautical publisher Imray paper charts

2 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Imray’s nautical paper charts and books are no longer at risk of ceasing publication this year. TAGS: boatinggearnavigationTop stories Leading publisher of nautical information for leisure sailors Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd (Imray) and Austrian cartographic specialist freytag & berndt (FB) have pledged to “ensure the continued availability and development” of Imray paper charts.
Big worries over new MCA Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice

3 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Sail training providers across the UK are warning the cost of proposed changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice’ could have a ‘devastating’ impact on the services they deliver.
Have your say on boat licensing via the Canal and River Trust survey

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Boat owners and other stakeholders are invited to share their boat licensing experiences and suggestions for improvement via the Canal & River Trust's survey – are changes are needed for the UK network’s future? TAGS: boatingTop stories An independently led commission is reviewing the legal framework around the Canal & River Trust’s boat licensing.
Where to recycle old sails and end of life kit – drop off points across the UK and Europe - Practical Boat Owner

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Got old sails and unwanted rope that you don't want to put into landfill?
Buyers beware: new AIS MOB device rule

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Big changes to marine radio device rules are planned to be brought into the UK, impacting man overboard (MOB) locator devices. TAGS: gearsailingTop storiesUK seas New European safety rules to address congestion of automatic identification system (AIS) frequencies used by Autonomous Maritime Radio Devices (AMRDs) have already taken effect in many countries including Ireland.
Ian Williams named YJA Yachtsman of the Year

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Ian Williams has been named the Yachting Journalists' Association's Yachtsman of the Year; Jessye Opoku-Ware was awarded the 2024 YJA Young Sailor of the Year TAGS: awardawardsnewsTop stories Ian Williams, who made history after securing an unprecedented eighth World Match Racing Tour title, has been named the Yachting Journalists’ Association’s (YJA) 2024 Yachtsman of the Year.
Practical Boat Owner

2 months ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

A grand prize of up to £6,000 can be won by the UK sailing charity or sailing and yacht club with the best grassroots initiative, whilst two runners-up will be awarded £2,000 each. TAGS: boatingRYAsailingTop storiesUK seas The official launch of Sunsail’s Funding the Future initiative for 2025 will be held this Sunday, 23 February, at the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Dinghy and Watersports Show, at 1pm on the Sunsail Main Stage.
Triple amputee Craig Wood prepares for 80 day solo Pacific crossing

2 months ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

“I can do one-handed bowlines because I’ve got no other choice” – Triple amputee Craig Wood is gearing up for a world record setting solo voyage across the Pacific to change perceptions of what disabled people can do and show that sailing is a sport for everyone. TAGS: boatingCruisingTop stories Sailing for 80 days solo, non-stop and unsupported 6,000 miles across the Pacific would be a daunting enough voyage for many people.
Talks schedule and sailing stars confirmed for RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show

2 months ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

A host of British sailing stars are set to join tactical and technical experts and inspiring adventurers as guest speakers at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show, including small boat cruising doyen Roger Barnes.