The future of Marconi may rest in the hands of one John Devaney , who, Poll understands, is in line for the chairman's chair.

And while The Times was kind enough to print Mr Devaney's impressive business history - executive chairman of Eastern Electricity , chairman of logistics group, NFC , and its successor, Exel - Poll noticed that his recent foray into publishing went unmentioned.

Mr Devaney was the man who backed David Williams , ex-CEO of The Baltic Media Group , which published Boating Business, Marina International and Workboat International and had interests in conferencing.

Mr Williams' less than burgeoning publishing empire crashed owing millions.

Poll wonders if Mr Devaney's experience makes him the ideal rescuer for the heavily indebted Marconi.

Lewmar had no less than five products nominated for DAME Awards at METS last month: more than any other company. Unfortunately, none were rewarded with DAME accolades.

However, Lewmar's managing director, Robert Hill , comforted himself with the thought that, having supplied race winner Illbruck , Lewmar achieved the position of first deck hatch across the line in the Volvo Ocean Race .Congratulations, says Poll, to the intrepid "golfers" who played at the recent North Sails Golf Day in aid of the John Merricks Sailing Trust .Poll hears the hackers managed to raise £9,000 for the charity, which helps youngsters progress in sailing.

Poll hears an expensive Mercedes E Class ran hard aground recently, wiping the sump off.

The car's excellent emergency system saved its engine by insisting the driver turn it off as it had no oil left in it.

However, the ensuing oil slick, Poll suspects, might have been some way above the MARPOL oil in water limit of 15 milligrammes per litre.

The driver would have known this, of course, as he runs a company that markets a bilge water filter that protects the environment from things like oil slicks.

As the president-elect of the British Marine Federation - James Grazebrook - is probably slightly embarrassed by his slight lapse in concentration. His passenger at the time was none other than SueBishop , head of the DTi 's marine unit.

Ooops!

Another Ooops! was heard from Heathrow when top PR supremo, Clive Bartlett , arrived for his flight to METS to find his passport was still in Poole.

He has mitigating circumstances: the Saltwater premises were burgled the day before they hit the METS trail, which led to Bartlett having his mind elsewhere, as well as his passport.

Poll says don't be too hard on him.

Poll offers her congratulations to Ellen MacArthur for her outstanding victory in the Route du Rhum.

But how will she fare in the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year ? If the national press sports journalists are to be believed, it's a foregone conclusion that Paula Radcliffe will run off with the trophy.

Poll wonders where the Yachting Journalists Association's Yachtsman of the Year trophy is bound.

Ben Ainslie? Iain Percy?

And how about Stuart Childerley winning the Etchells Worlds forthe second time?

Poll says we have some truly world-class sailors in the UK.