MARINA FOCUS

MARINA FOCUS SHAMROCK QUAY MARINA

Marina Manager: Barry Radband el ail sha rockquay dl arinas.co.uk ha rock uay arina illia treet ortha outha ton

Shamrock Quay is a popular South Coast marina steeped in history.

Situated on the south coast of England, deep within The Solent and Southampton Water, MDL Marinas’ Shamrock Quay Marina is ideally situated for anyone wanting to explore beautiful cruising grounds but also enjoy the benefi ts of being close to a thriving city centre.

Shamrock Quay was originally a major ship building and refi t yard owned by Camper & Nicholson. In the 1920s, Camper & Nicholson was commissioned by Sir Thomas Lipton, of Lipton tea fame, to build a series of J Class racing boats, specifi cally as challengers for the America’s Cup. Five of the J Class boats were eventually built, most notably Shamrock V. The building of these iconic yachts led to the site being renamed Shamrock Quay.

Shamrock V is currently undergoing a refi t at MDL’s Saxon Wharf Marina, less than a quarter of a mile away from her birthplace.

MDL purchased Shamrock Quay in the 1980s from owners, Dean & Dyball, who had developed the shipyard into a marina. MDL quickly set about further redeveloping the site, turning it into the modern, fully-serviced marina seen today, offering safe, secure berthing for boats up to 90m.

FACILITIES & BERTHING

Shamrock Quay has 255 berths, accommodating both power and sailing boats from 3m through to 90m.

All berths are fully serviced deep water berths, with power and water outlets available. Shamrock Quay also boasts a boatyard with a storage area for up to 180 boats, and lifting facility for vessels up to 75 tonnes.

This centrally located marina also offers car parking, WiFi, shower and laundry facilities, and secure storage lockers for stowing boating gear. In addition, there is a host of on-site marine and non-marine related businesses, including riggers, engineers, a sail loft, bistro/bar, designer outlet, fresh fi sh market, boat brokerage, chandlery, café, sea school and boat charter fi rm.

By Sea: Access to the marina is from the Solent via Southampton Water where special attention should be paid to commercial shipping operating within the main shipping channel. Shamrock Quay is accessed from the upper reaches of Southampton water. As you approach the Port of Southampton at Dock Head turn to starboard and enter the River Itchen. From here you have a 10-minute cruise up the river, passing under the impressive Itchen Bridge, which spans the river. The approach to the marina along the River Itchen is via a dredged channel which is marked with the appropriate channel markers. Due to the tidal nature of the river, all vessels are advised to always navigate between these markers. All vessels visiting the marina are asked to contact the marina on the VHF via Ch80 or the landline number 02380 229 461.

By Land: Shamrock Quay is a few minutes from the main motorway network of the M3 and M27, providing easy access to Southampton and the marina.

M27 Eastbound - exit Junction 3 on to the M271. Follow signs for St Mary’s Stadium and Shamrock Quay is signposted as you pass the stadium on the left.

M3 Southbound - exit Junction 14 on to the A33. Follow the signs to the Docks and Old Waterfront.

M27 Westbound - exit Junction 7 on to the A334. Follow the signs to Southampton city centre. Turn left into rince’s Street at the traffi c lights after the small bridge over the River Itchen. Follow the road for about half a mile and turn left into William Street where Shamrock Quay is signposted.

By Rail: Arriving at Southampton Central Station, Shamrock Quay Marina is a short taxi ride away.

CRUISING

Shamrock Quay’s secluded location close to the upper reaches of the Solent offers endless cruising potential.

Destinations within easy reach from Shamrock Quay include the yachting mecca of Hamble River, which is also home to MDL’s Hamble Point, Port Hamble and Mercury Yacht Harbour marinas. The Isle of Wight is also only a couple of miles sail or motor from the marina.

To the west is the picturesque Beaulieu River, the surrounding New Forest National Park, and the thriving yachting haven of Lymington. Further afi eld are the tur uoise waters of oole arbour and the sandy beaches of Studland Bay.

To the east, a few miles away is Portsmouth arbour, home to a large eet of modern and historic warships, including Lord Nelson’s agship, MS ictory.

LOCAL EATERIES

For something delicious to eat, the marina has both the Bistro Shamrock Quay and the Yellow Welly Café on site. Just down the road at its sister marina, Ocean Village Marina, there is Banana Wharf and the multi award-winning Jetty restaurant based in the exclusive Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa.

Southampton city centre, with its multitude of shops, bars and restaurants is also only a minute walk or fi e minute taxi ride away. For everyday items and basic provisioning, there is a Tesco Express at the nearby Ocean Village Marina, but for more extensive restocking a large ASDA supermarket can be found in the town centre and there is a Sainsbury’s and M&S Food Hall at Hedge End, approximately four miles away. bananawharf.co.uk/ocean-village/about www.harbourhotels.co.uk/southampton/ eat-and-drink/the-jetty THINGS TO DO

There is so much to see and do in and around Southampton, including the Sea City Museum (which tells the story of the people of the city), St Mary’s Football Stadium (home of the Saints - Southampton FC) and Solent Sky Museum (the history of iconic craft from the golden age of aviation).

There is also entertainment at the May ower heatre and you can shop til you drop at West Quay Shopping Centre.

Southampton, being home to the Spitfi re as well as a major commercial port, was a key target for the Luftwaffe during WWII, until late 1944, with much of the older historic city around the docks area needing to be redeveloped as a result.

Today the Port of Southampton is one of the country’s most successful ports, and Europe’s leading turnaround cruise port, welcoming around two million passengers each year. PERSONAL “We have moored at Shamrock Quay for the last 20 years. The marina has good road and sea access with all the facilities required to maintain a boat. The team at Shamrock are excellent and are willing to go the extra mile. This is driven by the manager Barry Radband who is passionate about the marina and providing the best customer service possible.” Maggie & Barry Pickett