Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are highlighting their seagrass restoration project at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show.
They have linked up with the University of Portsmouth in the bid to recolonise seagrass beds locally. Some of these sites are very fragile and activities like anchor dragging can cause untold damage, hence them trying to get this message over to boat owners.
1 of the most unusual boats at the show is ‘Message in A Bottle’ which is there to promote a new book. Translated from Dutch, ‘The Last Great Adventurer – Message in a Bottle’ by Fons Oerlemans and published by Medina Publishing, Cowes is really 3 books in 1.
Fons is an adventurer and innovator but sadly was unable to attend the launch in person due to being laid low by COVID. His bottle boat now resides in Antwerp and is owned now by an adventure charity- Stormkop.
The bottle boat was brought to the UK for the 1st time for the show and prior to going on display had to have hundreds of barnacles removed from its hull.
‘Thalassa’ a 47-metre-tall ship is the star attraction of the 54th Southampton International Boat Show. Originally built in 1980 as a fishing trawler, she was converted into a Barquentine in 1995. At 282 tons, this Dutch owned vessel offers day trips and longer voyages and at the show is offering evening sailings.
Another feature of the show is Blue Funnel’s ‘Ocean Scene’, which is offering regular daily harbour trips for show visitors.
Sunseeker, based in Poole, boasted the largest display vessel with its 100-footer alongside 8 other boats in the Sunseeker Range. Former Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan is a brand ambassador for Sunseeker.
Based near Northampton and originally founded in 1967 Fairline gave its redesigned Squadron 58 its World debut at the show. The original incarnation was produced between 2001 and 2009 and became a classic design.
Well known for its high specification features in natural wood, Fairline conceived and formulated this updated model over a 2-year period.
A sandy beach in the centre of Southampton was provided by Haven Knox Johnson. Complete with buckets and spades and an ice cream van this sandy spot was much enjoyed by visitors of all ages. It is housed in the Watersport Zone.
Haven Knox Johnson is the name now to seek out for maritime insurance. Howden UK & Ireland launched its new marine insurance practice at the show. This new marine practice provides a full spectrum of insurance solutions to the marine industry, UK boat owners and blue ocean cruisers.
It will operate under 3 distinctive trading styles, as Haven Knox-Johnston, Haven Knox-Johnston Specialist and Haven Knox-Johnston Commercial.
There are a number of interesting boats moored on the floating pontoons including a new RNLI lifeboat ‘Robert & Catherine Steen’ which after trials will be based in Anstruther, Scotland.
Island Ribs have launched their newest model and for those seeking something to view what is going on around the coast, binoculars are on offer from Island Photo Centre based in Ryde.
