Walcon Marine will continue to deliver the marina for the Southampton International Boat Show for the next 15 years. The marina is among the largest recurring temporary marinas in the world.
“We are delighted that British Marine has shown their confidence in our ability to deliver their marinas, well into the future,” said James Walters, managing director of Walcon Marine. “We built our first marina for what has become one of Europe’s largest on-the-water boat shows, in 1973. Since then, it has grown and evolved into what it is today, a facility hosting 350 power and sailing boats of all types and sizes.”
Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, said after the signing ceremony: “Walcon are great supporters of the boat show, and have been for a long time. Their dedication and expertise helps us create one of the most impressive temporary marinas in the world. It’s not just a functional space, it’s a true centrepiece of the show, offering an unmatched experience on the water and setting the Southampton International Boat Show apart as a must-visit event for boating enthusiasts.
The building and breaking down of the marina is a major logistical feat. Each year, work begins early in the spring, as the fabrication of the pontoons gets underway, with finalisation of the layout following sometime later. The next phase is the installation of around 50 piles using Walcon’s piling rig, after which the process begins of installing almost 10,000 square metres of pontoons, all of which are brought in by sea on Walcon’s barges. Last of all, just a week or two before the show opens and with the boats already coming in, the three bridges that link the marina to the shore are installed.
“It is a major planning and logistical challenge,” added James Walters, “but the experience that we have accumulated over the years serves us well. Since we installed our first SIBS marina back in 1972, they have experienced all sorts of weather, including some serious storms and the waves that go with them, but they have come through thanks to our heavy duty, wave attenuating pontoons that form the outer perimeter and which also host the largest yachts, tall ships and other vessels.”
