South Coast
MDL Upgrades Southampton's Ocean Village Marina
One of Europe’s largest marina groups, MDL confirmed a £2.2 million investment in its flagship Ocean Village Marina in Southampton. This significant investment has enabled the complete replacement of all pontoons along the south side of the marina and the introduction of new smart electric technology.Commencing in mid-October 2023, the upgrade works involved installing brand-new pontoons from F through to L (inclusive). This consisted of removing some of the piles, dredging, reinstating the piles and then installing brand-new pontoons…
First UK-based Sanlorenzo SX88 Sold
Sanlorenzo Yachts UK & Ireland announced the sale of the first Sanlorenzo SX88 to be based in the United Kingdom.First launched in 2017, the 26.70m SX88 is an extremely popular model for the Sanlorenzo shipyard, with over 30 of the yachts already sold.Nick Hatfield, sales manager for Sanlorenzo UK, said, “The first U.K.-based Sanlorenzo SX88 has now arrived here where she will undergo her pre-delivery inspection before being handed over to her new owners, ready for a summer of cruising the south coast of the U.K.
Billionaires Square Up in Battle for America's Cup
As Britain and Italy go head-to-head for the right to challenge New Zealand for the America's Cup, the teams' billionaire backers will have their colors emblazoned across the hulls and sails of their futuristic "foiling" yachts.Behind the bold graphics are hundreds of millions which have been sunk into the America's Cup campaigns of Jim Ratcliffe, founder and chairman of chemicals company INEOS, and Patrizio Bertelli, chief executive of luxury goods group Prada.Since it began…
Acoustic Tech Used to prep for America's Cup
INEOS TEAM UK needed accurate measurements of speed through water while training for the America’s Cup in waters with complex current flows. How did Nortek’s acoustic Doppler instrumentation meet their stringent demands for high performance?INEOS TEAM UK was formed to challenge for the 36th America’s Cup, to be held in New Zealand in 2021. They will compete in their new AC75 yacht named Britannia, a foiling monohull that flies over water on T-foils at speeds up to or exceeding 50 knots.The team represent the Royal Yacht Squadron…
New Dates for The South Coast Boat Show
The South Coast Boat Show, guided by Raymarine, has been rescheduled to the first weekend in July. Following the escalation of the worldwide pandemic, and UK Government advice to practice social distancing in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19, the organizers have taken a pragmatic approach.The show will return to Ocean Village Marina in July 2020 featuring global power and sailing brands as well as an extensive land-based exhibition of ancillary services.
MCI Sees Turnover by Quarter
Dorset, UK maritime company Marine Components International has increased turnover by a quarter in the last 12 months under new management.New deals in the superyacht and motor boat sectors across the UK and Europe have ramped up turnover to $1.76million, nearly double sales from two years ago at the company which provides distribution and technical support for a range of manufacturers.MCI managing director Andy Scott, who took over the Poole headquartered company in 2017, said…
Hythe Shipyard Opens in Southampton
Fairline Yachts announced the opening of Hythe Shipyard at its new manufacturing facility on the south coast of England. Originally designed and built by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s, the slipway at Hythe was used to launch landing craft that were manufactured at the site. Fast forward half a century and this impressive piece of mechanical engineering has been given new purpose as the only slipway of its kind on Southampton Water.Hythe Shipyard facilities accommodate vessels of up to 950 tonnes and 11.5 meters in beam…
Sailing-Stars & Stripes Team USA Joins Challengers for America’s Cup
Stars & Stripes Team USA has been accepted by holders Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as the fifth challenger for the 36th America's Cup, which will take place in Auckland in 2021.The team was co-founded by sailors Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield and represents the first all-American team in more than 15 years to compete for the oldest trophy in international sport, Long Beach Yacht Club said in an emailed statement."Our name is a nod to Dennis Conner's ‘Stars & Stripes’ campaigns that defined all-American America's Cup racing for decades.
SMS Completes HSC Refit in Cherbourg
SMS, a ship repair and marine engineering service company based in Southampton, has completed its first major high speed craft (HSC) refit in France. Last week, SMS docked the HSC Condor Rapide on the Port Normands Associe’s (PNA) ship lift at the Port of Cherbourg in France.The Rolls-Royce syncrolift is 90m x 32m and offers a 3000T lift capacity. Located just 75 miles from Southampton on the UK's south coast, it is a more effective solution for Solent centric operators than the ship repair yards in the North East and South West of England.Chris Norman…
Ainslie in Hunt for Cash to Fulfil America's Cup Dream
When Ben Ainslie is not out sailing with his crew, he is busy inside Land Rover BAR's futuristic headquarters raising the money he needs to make his America's Cup dream a reality. Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor and a winner of the "Auld Mug" with Oracle Team USA in 2013, is racing to secure at least 100 million pounds ($141 million) needed to design, construct and race the latest version of America's Cup boat. "We are on that funding trail right now ... Land Rover have been fantastic as title partner and some of the other partners are coming back in…
Specialists Team Up for International BWTS Refit
U.K.-based Solent Refit and global marine equipment specialists Cathelco have teamed up to help international customers meet new ballast water management regulations. Solent Refit, at Hythe, on Southampton Water, has built its reputation on maintaining and refitting classic and modern superyachts. Now it has entered into a ‘preferred partner’ agreement with water treatment systems specialists Cathelco and its Antibes based subsidiary HEM. The move comes as owners of ocean going…
Premier Marinas Acquires Endeavour Quay
Marina Projects Ltd. announced the sale of Endeavour Quay, the Gosport run specialist boatyard business, to Premier Marinas Ltd. As part of Premier Marinas’ expansion and development plans, the company has purchased the rights to the name and business operation of the specialist boatyard. Endeavour Quay lies adjacent to Premier’s Gosport Marina and offers one of the largest boatyard facilities on the South Coast. The yard will continue to serve its existing customers, while providing additional boatyard facilities for Premier customers, trading as Premier Endeavour Quay as of August 1, 2014.
Oman's All-Women Crew Make Yacht-race Mark
The Oman on the Al Thuraya Bank Muscat Team team honed their racing skills at the J80 World Championships in Marseilles, France recently. A milestone event for the young Omani crew, who have only been racing together for four months, the J80 Worlds were always going to be a challenge, with a massive fleet of 118 teams, including Iker Martinez, the Olympic 49er gold medallist and Volvo Ocean Race skipper, reports Times of Oman. But the crew adjusted to the frenetic starts and melees around the marks to work their way up the rankings to finish in 31st place in the 59-strong silver fleet.
Marina Projects Secures Commission with Ports of Jersey
U.K.-based marina consultancy Marina Projects Ltd. was appointed by Ports of Jersey to deliver two new developments in St. Helier Harbor. The two projects, The Redevelopment of Berths № 4 & 5 and The Refurbishment of the Fishermen’s Berths, due to commence later this year, will considerably enhance the harbor offering for both the marine leisure and commercial fishing industries. This appointment is a further step in the long standing and successful relationship between Marina Projects and Ports of Jersey.
PCA Celebrates 21 Years
On May 13, the Professional Charter Association (PCA) celebrated 21 years of activity in true traditional style, onboard the classic English motor yacht, Seafin, kindly provided by Warwick Bergin, in the Solent on England’s South Coast. Twenty PCA members joined together to toast the milestone with a splendid lunch and a special 21st birthday cake with candles and champagne. Combining elegance and class with the luxuries and amenities of modern cruising and chartering, Seafin provided a platform for members to reminisce and also to look forward.
