Poole Harbour will be welcoming hundreds of cruise ship passengers this summer with the arrival of a new cruise liner visiting the town.
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) has welcomed its first visit from Clio operated by Grand Circle Cruise Line.
The exclusive, luxury cruise liner carries 90 passengers, mostly from the USA. The vessel, which is 122 metres long and was originally built in 1998, will be operating between Poole and Edinburgh this summer, calling at Irish, Scottish and west coast English ports.
PHC chief executive Jim Stewart, said: “It’s great to see an uplift in cruise activity in the port and to welcome the cruise ship passengers to Poole so that they can enjoy everything the town has to offer.
“These smaller vessels cater for the top end of the market, however next year we expect to welcome larger ships carrying up to 1,000 passengers to Poole with the construction of our new quay.”
Grand Circle Cruise Line is the leader in small ship cruising worldwide and invested five million pounds refurbishing Clio at the beginning of May.
Poole has also welcomed the ocean-cruising vessel Corinthian this summer, the vessel has already called into the port six times and is too owned by Grand Circle Cruise Line.
The Corinthian carries 98 passengers and features itineraries throughout Europe and North Africa, including the British Isles, the Baltics, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, France, and beyond.
Jim added: “PHC is delighted to confirm that both Clio and Corinthian are both booked in for 2017. We work very hard to ensure that we provide the best customer service and we are confident that the message that Poole is a perfect place for cruise activity will spread throughout the cruise sector.”
Following the huge success from its inaugural event, the organisers behind Poole Harbour Boat Show are proud to announce it has been shortlisted for the Tourism Event of the Year category at the 2015 Dorset Tourism Awards.
Poole Harbour Boat Show took place over two days in May and exceeded organisers’ expectations with visitor numbers resulting at a level of 50 per cent over what was predicted. In excess of 15,000 visitors were attracted to the regional boat show.
Organised by the team at Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) and Poole Quay Boat Haven, more than 60 exhibitors used the show as a platform to display their products. Boat enthusiasts gathered onto the pontoons to look at the variety of marine-related businesses, including some big names such as Sunseeker, Princess, Fairline, Windy, Stingher Ribs, Bayliner and Sealine.
Adding to the day out experience were the popular attractions of a regional boat show including a range of stalls and various activities to keep the crowds entertained including on-the-water displays, tall ships, live music, children’s entertainment and a spectacular firework display on the Saturday evening.
Britain’s Paralmypic medallist Helena Lucas MBE was the guest of honour on the Sunday where she met with guests and showcased her gold medal. Helena, who won gold in the London 2012 Paralympic Games and has become the first Great Britain athlete to be selected for Rio 2016, hoped the boat show would encourage more people to get out on the water.
Chief executive of PHC, Jim Stewart said: “Being shortlisted for the Tourism Event of the Year category is well-deserved recognition for the team’s efforts in organising the inaugural Poole Harbour Boat Show. We were delighted with the success of this year’s show and we are now in the process of planning the event for 2016.”
For 2016, Poole Harbour Boat Show will be extended to three days and will take place on May 20 to 22.
The PHC team will be heading to Bovington Tank Museum on October 15 for the awards evening.
Poole Quay Boat Haven was a winner at this year’s Southampton Boat Show after being announced the UK’s number one Marina/Harbour at the 2015 Sailing Today Awards.
The Poole marina, which is run by Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), was shortlisted among four other finalists with the casting vote being chosen by the public. Thousands of the magazine’s members voted for their favourite boat, sailing kit and destination, with the winners being acknowledged at a prestigious champagne reception on the opening day of the Southampton Boat Show.
The award-winning boat haven was recognised for its coveted five Gold Anchor achievement from The Yacht Harbour Association and for its organisation behind this year’s inaugural Poole Harbour Boat Show, which attracted more than 15,000 visitors.
Marina manager John Binder, who accepted the award, said: “We are very proud of this award and to be recognised for our efforts. It has been a busy year with the first-ever Poole Harbour Boat Show and everyone at the marina should be proud of their achievements, this is such great recognition. Thank you everyone for your support.”
Editor of Sailing Today, Sam Fortescue added: “With so much investment going into providing new berths and new services in marinas across the UK, this was always going to be a close-run category.
“The marina has recently won five Gold Anchor status and just launched its own boat show. Located in the stunning natural surroundings of Poole Harbour, close to the historic centre of a town that is undergoing major regeneration, it makes an excellent spot for short-term berthing.”
A £1.3million investment has swung into Poole Port with Poole Harbour Commissioners adding a brand new crane to its fleet supporting the harbour’s busy freight port.
The machine, which can be used in either hook or grab mode, will be the main crane for cargo coming into Poole which includes: bricks, timber, steel, clay, sand and roadstone.
The Sennebogen Harbour Crawler Crane measures 38 metres high and weighs approximately 156 tonnes. The crane was shipped from Germany and has now joined the rest of the port fleet of four cranes, with an estimated value of around £4.2million.
Commenting on the investment Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners said: “The new crane will be used to move anything from bulk cargoes to hook work and everything in between.
“It’s essential that we make efforts to continually improve efficiency in order to ensure our operations, and those of our customers, remain competitive to allow Poole to develop and grow.
“This latest purchase, which forms part of our planned programme of on-going investment, means the port will continue to thrive.”
Ian Hassell, managing director of the Sennebogen sales and service partner E.H. Hassell & Sons Ltd., added at the official handover: “We have a long standing relationship with Poole Harbour Commissioners and see this new addition to their Sennebogen fleet as sentiment that they are happy with the quality of the product, reliability and most importantly our parts and service support. Like all our customers we work closely with them and Sennebogen to make 100 per cent certain, what they require we collectively deliver.”
The organisers of the Poole Harbour Boat Show have announced a host of exhibitors already signed-up for this year’s show.
Names including Sunseeker, Fairline, Windy, Stingher Ribs, Bayliner and Sealine are set to exhibit at the free public event which will take place on the weekend of May 9 and 10. Together with Spinnaker Yachts, Quicksilver and Cobalt, a number of other marine companies will also be showcasing exciting new products and innovations on Poole Quay and at Poole Harbour Commissioners’ award-winning marina, Poole Quay Boat Haven.
Jim Stewart, Poole Harbour Commissioners’ chief executive, said: “2015 is as a vital year for the marine industry, and with a number of confirmed exhibitors so far, the show is set to be a spectacular way in which businesses and marine enthusiasts can come together.
“From marine insurers, to local chandleries and boat manufacturers, the show looks to provide a host of different exhibitors, and put Poole on the regional maritime calendar, building year on year with the successes of the harbour and its marine operators.”
Supported by the Borough of Poole and Poole Tourism, the show will include on-the-water activities courtesy of the local yacht clubs, and the RNLI will be playing a key role across the weekend. TS Pelican and Stavros S Niarchos will also be alongside the Quay and open to the public at dedicated times.
Limited stand space and sponsorship benefits are still available, for further information please contact John Binder at Poole Quay Boat Haven on 01202 649488, or head to Poole Harbour Boat Show’s official website at www.pooleharbourboatshow.co.uk.
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