In the hope that those with the requisite knowledge, even if only of one landing place will fill in the form enclosed and will not be backward at coming forward for more, here are a few notes and definitions to help you in the process. Some of these will appear in the Handbook to help later contributors and explain the terms used.

The object of the list of landing places is to give sufficient details of each to enable those to whom the area is quite new to choose the most convenient landing for their particular needs, locate it with ease, and know exactly how they will be able to land, bearing in mind the state of the tide. This does not mean that you should not fill in a form unless you know the landing intimately — put in the details you remember and indicate any of which you are not certain by a query mark. Others may have visited there and may either know the details you lack or be able to confirm the ones of which you are not certain.

DEFINITIONS

A LANDING PLACE exists where an appreciable area of land, dry at states of the tide, is safely accessible at some or all of those states from water deep enough to float the average sailing-dinghy.

Dry land is SAFELY ACCESSIBLE only if mud, or other ooze, no more than ankle deep will be encountered.

The WATERWAY is that on which one would be cruising at the time of seeking the landing place (if on a tiny creek the landing will presumably bear the name of that creek).

The ASSOCIATED PORT is either that to which the landing gives direct access or the nearest one which can be reached over land.

We ask you to give the number of times you have visited the place not because we doubt the veracity of those who may be describing their favourite landing place but because we also want the vaguer memories of the less well known and more interesting landings. An indication as to the number of informants and their familiarity with the piece in question will therefore be of enormous value to the handbook holder in assessing the reliability of the information.

No details of the anchorages off are requested because such may generally he gleaned from pilot books etc., and the location on a chart. If, however, you draw a sketch chart please indicate any suitable anchorages and give other information not likely to be included in publications generally available.

Please give us plenty of work by co-operating in this first attempt (other than the Bulletin) to share members’ experience — the chief function of the Association.