RSrnYC marks key milestone in development of Prince Philip Yacht Haven

The first pile is driven at the Royal Southern Yacht Club's Prince Philip Yacht Haven © Mark Inkster

The first pile has been driven in the Royal Southern's Yacht Club's most ambitious construction scheme to date, the creation of the Prince Philip Yacht Haven. The Royal Southern Yacht Club and its close neighbour, the RAF Yacht Club, have worked together for several years to reach this milestone.

The need for this major construction project arose as a direct result of the deteriorating condition of the Royal Southern's sea wall but, looking to the future, the Club decided to make a virtue of necessity and improve its berthing facilities. The result is a crucial construction scheme that will:

• stabilise the waterfront land for generations to come;
• provide some 70 walk-ashore berths for motor and sailing boats available at all states of the tide
• state-of-the-art services
• flood protection for the shoreside facilities
• a slipway for launching Optimists and other dinghies

Facilities for sailors with disabilities

Incorporated into the design are facilities to enable sailors with severe physical disabilities, including those who are restricted to wheelchairs, to have direct access to boats afloat.

Geoff Holt MBE, an Honorary Member of the Club and inaugural Chairman of RYA Sailability, was paralysed in a swimming accident in 1984. He is a keen sailor, a wheelchair user and has been a passionate supporter of getting less-able people on to the water and has been assisting in the design of these facilities. Two years ago Geoff founded his latest project 'Wetwheels', a fully accessible, purpose-built power catamaran that takes people of all abilities and all ages out on the water and he plans to establish a Wetwheels Hamble at the Royal Southern Yacht Club.

Improved facilities for RAF Yacht Club

This project will also provide improved facilities for the RAF Yacht Club who will now have direct access to their pontoons and rationalisation of land holdings.

Watching the first pile being driven, David Mead, Commodore of the Royal Southern Yacht Club said:

"As Commodore I am proud to have witnessed the first pile being driven for the Prince Philip Yacht Haven, an enhanced facility that will be enjoyed by, and protect our members and their floating assets for many years to come. I take this opportunity to thank all our Members who have helped to make this happen."

He was supported by David le Mare, Commodore of the RAF Yacht Club, who added:

"The Yacht Haven project has brought the RAFYC and the RSrnYC closer together in co-operation and understanding while maintaining their individual identity. The Clubs have been equal partners in the planning stage and are financing their respective proportion of the construction. The finished Prince Philip Yacht Haven will bring enhancements to both of our Clubs and an attraction to those who wish to join us."

This complex project, in an environmentally sensitive area, is being managed by Marina Projects Ltd. The principal contractor is Raymond Brown Construction Ltd whose Managing Director, Guy Hardacre, commented:

"We are absolutely delighted to have been selected by such a prestigious organisation to undertake the construction of the Prince Philip Yacht Haven. It is an exciting project for us and it is fantastic to be delivering a facility which will serve future generations of yachtsmen.

"We are looking forward to developing our relationship with the Royal Southern Yacht Club and the local community throughout the works."

Work will be completed in three phases with completion planned for next April / May. A further two specialist contracts have been awarded to Walcon for the pontoons, and ML UK for the dredging. Walcon is well-known to the Club and its many Members, whilst ML Dredging has huge experience of dredging in the Hamble River.

Environmental aspects taken into account

A number of environmental features are an integral part of the scheme such as a living wall for invertebrates and incorporation of a number of features to take account of possible sea level rises whilst minimising the effect of flooding on adjacent land.

The scheme will change the face of the Hamble waterfront with the construction of a large quarter-deck over the water in front of the Club, linking it with a replacement pier and providing facilities that will also benefit the local community.

Past Commodore Mark Inkster, who is leading the team responsible for delivering this project, is also writing a PPYH Blog supported with images to provide Members and other interested parties with an overview of progress being made.

Read it at www.royal-southern.co.uk/PPYH/PPYH-Blog