A minute’s silence to mark the passing of HM the Queen was held on the opening day of this year’s Southampton International Boat Show (Friday), and the show was closed on Monday – the day of the state funeral.
As a further mark of respect, the Royal Navy were non-attenders. In their place, a photographic tribute was mounted, showing images of H.M. The Queen with Navy personnel.
Environmental issues were very much on the show’s radar. For the 2nd consecutive year, Yachting Monthly in conjunction with B&G hosted the Brian Black Memorial Award. Brian – a revered marine environmental journalist with Yachting Monthly – died two years ago. Round the World sailor Mike Golding OBE – a keen environmentalist himself – was on hand to host the prizegiving.
Unfortunately, the winner Jon Antrup was absent as he is currently off Norway studying the reducing ice pack. He could be reached however thanks to a video link. He was awarded a trophy and a cheque for £2,500. A check presentation of £1,500 was also handed over to the Sea Changers charity.
Mike recently completed the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race – which started and finished at Cowes – aboard the class 40 yacht ‘Kite’. He knew it would be a slow race but had not reckoned on 14 days. Fortunately, they had sufficient victuals and drinking water with them.
Boat Folk marina group – which has a marina at East Cowes – was the winner of the British Marine Environmental Award. East Cowes Marina manager Mike Townshend was both surprised and delighted for his staff as were the other managers for the group’s 11 marinas across the UK.
This year marked the 4th year of the awards, which recognise an exceptional exhibitor, who has truly embraced environmentally responsible behaviour and sustainable work practices both during and outside the show. Entrants needed to demonstrate how they are promoting good environmental practice and sustainability to show visitors and their customers, be it through new products and equipment, environmentally friendly changes to their stand or even changes they have made to their day-to-day company procedures outside of the show.
For Sunseeker, Southampton is the home boat show as the main works are at Poole. This show is following on from Cannes where the exceptional Sunseeker 100 Yacht won the ‘Best Exterior Design’ award in one of the most prestigious and internationally recognised awards in the yachting industry. Again, this year the various Sunseeker models were afloat in the Marina rather than mounted on terra-firma as they had been at past shows. Both the 65 Sport Yacht and the award-winning 88 Yacht were featured.
Barrus gave a progress report saying COVID had brought people out onto the water, subsequently their sales rose. In 2018, this marine equipment specialist acquired Seaflo, which had only launched in 2012, making a range of equipment including pumps and filters. They boast a 4-year warranty, with each product having its own unique serial number. Barrus are also linked with Mercury engines, and the latest 25 and 30hp four-stroke outboards were on show.
Bentley were at Southampton International Boat Show for the 2nd year; they had three models on view with their new luxury flagship car the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Azure the star attraction. It is a true one-off automobile, available for a cool £283,000.
For anyone wanting a quick water adventure, try a mini cruise from Ocean Scene. These are free and really informative if you want to know the history of Southampton, The Titanic and Pilgrim Fathers. Whilst aboard take in the full view of the show including the special boats moored on the outside of the marina. These include tall ship Morgenster and Police CPI Boat. The Police are also on hand in the main pavilion with information on crime prevention on the water. Boat owners are often very unaware of how their boat is a target for theft or other crimes.
The Police were also on hand in the main pavilion with information on crime prevention on the water. Boat owners are often very unaware of how their boat is a target for theft or other crimes.
