2 INDUSTRY NEWS
Hamble Point Marina welcomes FlexiSail fleet
M
DL Marinas is delighted to welcome FlexiSail and its 15-strong fleet of cruising yachts, catamarans, cabin cruisers and RIBs to the 230-berth Hamble Point Marina. The boat share membership company, which offers boaters an affordable way to enjoy time out on the water, has relocated to the marina at the entrance to the River Hamble, just in time for the start of the 2022 boating season. In addition to berthing for its comprehensive fleet, FlexiSail will also occupy one of MDL’s business units at Hamble Point Marina, acting as its new headquarters and sales office. “We’re delighted FlexiSail has chosen Hamble Point Marina, not just for berthing its impressive line-up of boats, but also for its main base of
operations,” confirmed Tim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL. “With quick and easy 24-hour access to the world-famous waters
Unusual layout at Shepperton
Completed in September last year, a project designed and built by Walcon Marine for Shepperton Marina on the River Thames was most unusual. The facility’s requirement was for a continuous walkway to run around a small island within the marina, off which would be installed a number of finger pontoons in a ‘hub and spoke’ layout for leisure craft to moor alongside. A linear walkway
(see top of picture) connects the berths to the adjacent shore. The project required precise design and manufacturing to ensure that it would fit together exactly whilst allowing room for movement and, once delivered by Walcon, the client was able to install the pontoons without difficulty, leaving the 12-sided (dodecagon) structure to be admired by visitors to the marina.
MARINA INDUSTRY • FEBRUARY 2022
of the Solent and excellent shoreside facilities, Hamble Point Marina is an ideal location for FlexiSail’s members to explore from and enjoy the many
cruising opportunities in this stunning area.” FlexiSail offers three levels of membership, providing an agreed number of guaranteed days onboard each year. Providing a supportive environment for those new to boating, as well as seasoned sailors, FlexiSail also operates a memberonly RYA Training Centre, which tailors training to an individual member’s needs. “We’re excited to bring our Hamble-based fleet to Hamble Point Marina,” stated FlexiSail Director Nikki Walker. “We couldn’t wish for a better location on the River Hamble. Its proximity to the Solent provides our members with more time sailing and our new office allows us to offer a better customer experience to our members.”
Marinetek rep for South-East Asia Finland’s Marinetek Group recently appointed Dutchman Ruurd van Putten and his Vietnam-based company, Anchor Management, as its representative for South-East Asia. Marinetek is an internationallyrecognised brand name for premium marinas and advanced floating solutions. Now, through strategic alliances in the Middle East, India and Asia, the Group is expanding its global reach and presence in new and developing markets. In recent years, Marinetek has successfully delivered turnkey marina projects and superyacht facilities in several South-East Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam. “With the local knowledge, expertise and regional network of Ruurd van Putten we can continue our strong track record achieved in South-East Asia during the past ten years,” said Mika Parviainen, CEO of Marinetek. “Together, we are dedicated to increase the footprint of Marinetek and contribute to the rising demand
of marinas and floating solutions in this region.” Anchor Management has been a pioneer in the yachting and marina industry in Vietnam and and the surrounding region. Since 2007, the company has been involved in several new and ground-breaking activities, such as starting Vietnam’s first sailing charter company, establishment of Princess Yachts Vietnam and Cambodia and the realisation of Ana Marina Nha Trang, the first marina in Vietnam. According to Van Putten, “Anchor Management is excited to join forces with Marinetek and to develop more and better marinas and floating infrastructural projects in the area. With Vietnam as a base, we feel we are in the middle of the emerging yachting and marina industry in this part of the world. We look forward to raising standards, with regards to quality, durability and sustainability, not only for marinas, but also to improve the infrastructure of ports and waterways in the commercial and governmental sectors”.
