Boatyard
(formerly Kingston Marine Boatyard)
Strategic Plan Objectives
Performance: Review performance against business plan and KPIs. 2016-2021
Performance is under continual review against the current Business Plan. New systems for recording throughput are being
implemented.
Boatyard hard standing: Continue phased investment into upgrading the quality of boatyard hard
standing. 2016-2021
Options are currently being evaluated for upgrading the Boatyard hard standing.
Boatyard and Storage Report
The Cowes Harbour Services Boatyard occupies a large proportion of the Kingston Wharf site and is one of the biggest yards on
the River Medina, providing services for around 150 yachts and motor vessels up to 40 tonnes.
A recent addition to the Boatyard offer is a self-storage facility. CHC purchased Island Stowaway’s storage facilities and took on the
running of the business from 1 st March 2018 after the previous owners had decided to retire. The business will now be known as
“Cowes Harbour Storage”. This new facility has allowed Cowes Harbour Services to extend its offer to not only harbour users but
also Islanders in general. The Cowes Harbour Storage rental units comprise of 48 units from 18 to 90 sqft; ideal for storing boat
gear in the winter or household items.
The Boatyard also operates an under cover Boat Store facility that covers 4035 sqft with access via a standard door and a 4.6m
wide roller shutter door. The Boat Store offers year-round indoor storage, suitable for boats on trailers, boats up to 10m, and boats
in cradles.
The year 2017-2018 produced an increase in turnover for the Boatyard from the previous period, and despite some services being
slightly behind, others saw a signifi cant increase. Certain spring offers at the yard saw an increase in uptake, which has added to
the 2017-2018 successes.
Signifi cant work has taken place on site to further improve the site safety and appearance. A ground works project was
completed to re-organise parking and manage accessibility throughout the yard; this has resulted in safer transiting for
customers and tenants on the site. Other improvements have consisted of a full site gardening clear up, and the adding of a
fence to the middle terrace road way.
In the early part of 2017, a 25t self-propelled boat mover was purchased for the Boatyard and was fully commissioned during
the last half of 2017. The system utilises specially designed cradles to facilitate the quick and effi cient movement of vessels around
the yard. Boats are directly loaded on to the cradles at the hoist dock and then picked up by the boat mover, transported to a
designated slot in the yard and set down. This removes the need for any chocking or shoring up of the vessels, which is not only a
quicker method but also much safer and eliminates the need for staff to work underneath vessels. Staff have been fully trained in the
operation of the boat mover and are integrating it into the Boatyard operations. Continued monitoring of boat mover operations will
be carried out to ensure the Boatyard operation is kept as effi cient as possible. Continued analysis of boatyard operations remains
a priority for CHC; this helps CHC to ensure it provides value for money and delivers on our customers’ needs.
Annual Report 2017 - 2018
29