The Cruising Association is pleased to welcome Steve Haines as the new Chair of the Cruising Information Development Group (CIDG). A seasoned sailor and CA member since 2019, Steve brings a wealth of experience, both on the water and in leadership.
A member of CIDG since 2023, Steve has stepped into the chair role after Ian Wilson retired in May.
Working closely with volunteers, Local and Cruising Sections, Committees, the Almanac Group and others, CIDG ensures the CA delivers the highest-quality cruising information, surpassing what may be available elsewhere.
A lifelong passion for sailing
Steve’s connection to sailing began decades ago. "I learnt to sail at university in the seventies and since then have raced and cruised various boats." Steve and his wife Elizabeth bought their current boat, a Bavaria 40, in 2016 and after several years exploring from their Suffolk base, they are venturing farther afield, as Steve noted, "As I write this, we are heading down the west coast of France to our summer mooring on the Villaine."
Stepping up to lead
Steve joined CIDG two years ago after responding to a call for volunteers. "My background in IT and customer service meant it was well suited to my skills and knowledge, and I wanted to get a bit more involved," he explained.
When asked how he became Chair, he joked, "No one else volunteered, and I blinked first! Seriously, I have experience chairing other voluntary committees, we have a good team on CIDG, and I felt I could do the job."
Building on a strong foundation
Praising his predecessor, Ian Wilson, Steve said, "Ian has done a great job steering the group and leading the development of the current version of CAptain’s Mate, and the migration of data from the older version."
Looking to the projects ahead, Steve noted, "I would like to identify what members need from cruising information, how we can make it easier to share, and what new technologies, such as AI, might offer us in the future. CAptain’s Mate is a very powerful platform and there is a lot more we can do with it."
He also highlights ongoing updates to the CA website and the need for broader member engagement.
Giving back
For Steve, being a volunteer is about giving back. "It’s easy just to sit back and use the information in CM and on the website," he reflects, "but the spirit of CA is members helping each other, through sharing cruising and technical info, and I wanted to contribute more to that."
The personal rewards are just as meaningful, adding, "The benefit is getting to know other members much better and making new friends."
Members can find out more about the work of the Cruising Information Development Group at www.theca.org.uk/about/committees/cidg.
Join the CA Volunteer Team
If you would like to discuss opportunities to contribute your expertise and passion to the CA's outstanding work, please contact Bob Slay, CA Volunteer Champion, at volunteering@theca.org.uk. Giving even a small amount of your time will have a meaningful impact.
20 June 2025