EURO-NEWS


New hoist dock at HYS A


brand new hoist dock, which has been under construction for the past 12 weeks, is now operational


at Hamble Yacht Services (HYS), which is situated between the English ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. The new dock accommodates


the yard’s 80 tonne hoist and a second 40 tonne hoist. It replaces the previous boat lifting dock, which was consigned to history after 44 years in service at what is now one of the busiest boat-lifting facilities in the UK. The new structure, which was designed by Mayhew Callum Ltd, was built by Walcon Marine Ltd, who mobilised its full fl eet of three 20 metre barges to assist with construction and the movement of equipment and materials to the site.


“The construction work went very smoothly,” commented Robert Bicket of HYS. “We are delighted with the work carried out by Walcon, which fi nished on time and on budget.” He added, “The timetable was designed to cause minimum disruption during the quieter Winter months and we


are now ready to start launching again for the Spring season”. The extensive project involved dismantling the old steel structure and removing it by sea, and then driving 23 new piles into the seabed. The new hoist dock top frame was pre-assembled at the Walcon


EYEBROW 3


waterside facility in Woolston and brought up the Hamble River by barge. The barge crane lifted it into place and the Walcon team fi xed it in position. Finally, 24 cubic metres of concrete were poured on to the runways used by the travel hoist. The signifi cant infrastructure


investment is part of a continuing programme of major improvements at HYS, since being taken over by the current owners early in 2015. “Having a fully up-to-date hoist operation is vital to the company’s position as the leading site for the lifting and storage of large and small vessels on the Solent,” stated HYS Yard Manager Lee Pollack. The hoist dock has the capacity to


lift yachts up to 33.5 m length, 7.3 m beam and 5.5 m draft. Both the hoists have also undergone complete servicing and refurbishment.


Marina partner aids America’s Cup entry


MDL Marinas, Europe’s leading marina operator and official mari- na partner to Land Rover BAR (Ben Ainslie Racing), is helping the team gear up for the 35th America’s Cup, which is destined for a climactic finale in Bermuda this Summer. MDL has worked closely with Land Rover BAR to help set up the team’s base in Bermuda and has created customised pontoons, ex- pertly designed to give swift access for the team and accommodate the crucial support boats. Alongside the existing


partnership, which has seen MDL Marinas involved in the Portsmouth Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (the preliminary series to the 35th America’s Cup), as an official Engagement Partner, the marina operator has designed custom- made pontoons tailored to the racing conditions in Bermuda. Using innovative, industry-leading technology, the berthing pontoon has the ability to rotate 90�, which will allow Land Rover BAR to secure the boat in all wind directions and stay attached to


the shore, instead of having to have the boat on a swing mooring. The pontoon was constructed in Southampton and has travelled 3,400 miles to reach Bermuda, where it is now undergoing trials as part of the team’s intensive training programme.


The extensive design stages


were started at the beginning of 2016, with the pontoons being completed and shipped by the end of the year. They are now fully installed in Bermuda, ready for the competition to begin. The competition so far has been


a high adrenaline whirlwind, gaining international attention and reaching a peak last year, with Sir Ben Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR winning the overall Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Japan, as well as the team’s home event in Portsmouth last year.


MARCH 2017 • MARINA EURO-REPORT


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