Portland Marina
Portland Marina is a marina for pleasure boats in the south-west corner of Portland Harbour, adjacent to the Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy at Osprey Quay. Construction of the marina began in 2007, with the developers and marina management firm Dean & Reddyhoff opening it in 2009.
Portland Marina is the largest single marina constructed in the UK since Halsar Marina at Portsmouth, which was built in 1993. Portland's is also the largest and most sustainable marina of its kind in the country. It was the first permanent facility built in the UK for the 2012 Olympic Games, and is one of Dean & Reddyhoff's five marinas; the others being located at Weymouth, East Cowes, Haslar and Deacons.
The marina is home to over 400 berths, surrounded by an 860 metre breakwater of Portland stone. The development involved reclaiming approximately two acres from the harbour, dredging an approach channel to provide a hoist dock, and the installation of a steel-framed piled-access walkway. The surrounding area also holds various sailing and watersports-related businesses, office space, boat storage and other facilities.
History
Early plans for a marina
Portland Marina was developed as one of a number of key projects forming Osprey Quay during the 2000s. Prior to the site's redevelopment, RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), operational from 1959, was one of the busiest air stations on the south coast. Following its closure in 1999, the Ministry of Defence sold the 80-acre site to the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), who revealed their plans in 2001 for the transformation of the area into Osprey Quay. Meanwhile, the closure of HM Naval Base Portland in 1996 saw Portland Harbour transformed into a commercial port.
With the closure of the air station, the western region of the harbour was able to become a popular area for sailing and watersports, with the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy being established in 1999. Basing themselves in the remaining military buildings, the academy began operations in 2000 and later underwent £7.85 million redevelopment work in 2003-05, which transformed it into a world-class sailing academy. In 2005, with Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay recognised as the finest sailing waters in the UK, the academy was chosen to host the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Plans for a potential marina were first announced in October 2003, following a feasibility study by the SWRDA, assisted by Luhrs Marine. The marina, which would be closely linked to the sailing academy, was seen as an essential addition to the area due to the academy's limited pontoon space. Although no detailed plans had been drawn up at that time, the SWRDA began to receive interest from various commercial operators. Further plans were announced for the marina in February 2004 and the SWRDA began inviting interested developers to approach them. It was hoped a contractor would be appointed that summer, allowing work to commence in 2006. Although the marina operator Marina Developments Ltd had been approached, no agreement materialised. Instead, by the end of March, several constructors had been shortlisted for the project.
With the official announcement in July 2005 that the academy would host the 2012 sailing events, further investment and development of Osprey Quay was expected to be fast-tracked in order to be completed in time. In addition to the marina, other developments being focused on included the Ocean Views development at Castletown, the eco-homes development at Officer's Field, known as the Olympic Village, and the tourism and leisure development Castle Court. By 2006, the SWRDA came to an agreement with Dean & Reddyhoff Limited, who acquired the lease for the marina site. The company's plans for the marina were revealed in September 2006, which also saw the announcement of a new marine business park for the area.
The main feature of the marina plans was a 500 berth yacht marina, protected by a 860 metre breakwater of Portland stone. The plans also included various marina-related buildings, with 40,000 square feet of business space and office accommodation, and a new waterfront promenade with a cycle route. Following a period of public consultation in early 2007, a planning application was submitted in April that year and approved in June. Early predictions hoped the project would create up to 1,000 jobs, while the finished marina would create business opportunities and up to 50 jobs. The scheme was seen as being able to "transform Weymouth and Portland", before, during and after the Olympics.
Construction of Marina
The marina project totalled £21 million, which was privately funded. The construction work of phase one commenced in September 2007, with initial plans aiming to have half of the berths and the entire breakwater completed and opened by late 2008.
The marina development was split between two separate contracts. One focused on all marine and civil work, and the other on the remaining land-based construction. Faithful+Gould were appointed the project's quantity surveyors and CDM coordinators, and provided cost management services throughout the development. Atkins, a global-leading design, engineering and project management consultancy, was hired to help plan and construct the marina. It supplied the marina's architecture, civil and structural engineering, building services engineering, as well as town planning, landscape design, environmental impact assessment, and site supervision. ADP Architecture worked in partnership with George and Harding Construction on designing and constructing the marina buildings, which were given a contemporary design.
The overall goal was to create "a market-leading marina with high quality facilities for cruising and racing yachtsmen". Preliminary work focused on on-site preparations, along with making a start on the mooring piles and pontoon foundations. During October, heavy equipment arrived on site to begin the major work. The pontoon spaces were supplied by Walcon Marine and installed as part of a £3 million contract. The same month saw the construction of the breakwater which saw 200,000 tonnes of Portland Stone used in total.
Due to Portland's extensive range of flora, fauna and wildlife, the development of the marina had to be completed under strict conditions. A rare form of lagoon sandworm, Armandia Cirrhosa, lives on the sea bed of Portland Harbour, and was the source of some debate during the planning and construction of the marina. Dean & Reddyhoff were also given strict rules over construction methods, in effort to avoid disturbing wintering birds in the nearby Fleet Lagoon. No piling was allowed for the pontoons and regular bird counts had to be made. Aside from environmental factors, the marina plans also ensured that it would be compatible for the 2012 Olympic events, along with any related trial events during 2010-11.
In January 2008, further development plans for the marina were announced and put forward to the council for planning permission. These plans included constructing six engineering workshops and a chandlery unit, as well as making space for dry boat storage. They were approved in April, while during the following month, it was revealed that over 250 marina berths had already been reserved by interested boat owners. In October, it was announced that Priority Sites would invest £8 million into developing 65,000 square feet of office space and industrial units within Osprey Quay, and that these would compliment the sailing academy and marina.
Opening of Marina and Use in Olympics
Portland Marina opened in April 2009, although an official ceremony was not carried out until October, when Portland town mayor Richard Paisley and his wife cut a ribbon to officially open the site. The creation of the new marina allowed the neighbouring sailing academy to take advantage of the new breakwater too, while the academy's old moored pontoons had also been reconfigured with piled moorings.
The marina and its facilities were approved by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games as a training venue for international Olympic and Paralympic sailing teams. In June 2009, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, made a royal visit to Weymouth & Portland, and during their time at Portland they visited both the academy and marina. They were showed around by the Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the 2012 events, Lord Sebastian Coe.
In 2009, the marina buildings were awarded a certificate of merit by Weymouth Civic Society for their modern appearance, high standard of design and reflection of the contemporary maritime scene. In 2011, Portland Marina was awarded the Yacht Harbour Association's Five Gold Anchor award, and was the first marina to achieve the standard since the scheme had been re-launched that year. The TYHA gave the marina the maximum amount of 'anchor' points after an inspection. An assessor noted that the marina "boasts a 'well-thought-out' modern marina complex with excellent facilities for boaters plus an onsite restaurant." Julian Goldie, honorary chairman of TYHA, described the marina as "impressive example of effective British industry".
During the 2012 Summer Olympics, the marina's Osprey Quay lease required them to vacate the site for the sailing events. The area was also closed to the public from mid-July until mid-September 2012, with a high security fence being erected around the academy as part of security measures. All of the on-shore facilities and 270 berths at the marina were put into use for the events, with the berths accommodating various vessels, including safety boats, media vessels, official race boats and other support craft. In August, prime minister David Cameron visited the marina, and had commented to the media: "You can see quite a lot of legacy in terms of Portland's great new marina, berthing arrangements and the athletes' accommodation. Alongside the physical infrastructure invested and built, there's the even bigger boost because the Olympics have given Weymouth and Portland great advertisement time. It will also inspire a whole lot of people to take up windsurfing and sailing."
After the success of the 2012 Olympics, Dean & Reddyhoff and the on-site businesses were able to resume normal service at the marina. In July 2013, Lord Sebastian Coe visited Weymouth and Portland to celebrate the upcoming first anniversary of the games. He visited the Olympic Rings monument at New Ground, and unveiled plaques at Portland Marina and the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre.
Facilities
The marina holds over 400 berths, which are available at an annual rate, while additional visitor berths are able to accommodate vessels up to 50 metres. There is a wide range of storage facilities ashore, with dry-sailing facilities for sports boats and RIB's, as well as a "monster forklift system". A lift out travel hoist is available to boats up to 50 tonnes and 18 metres long.
A number of sailing-related businesses have established themselves within the marina, and these include:
The marina office is manned each day of the year, 24 hours a day. The site is also home to the Dorset Marine Police, who have a fully operational unit onsite.
As part of the marina's environmental commitments, a number of wind turbines have been erected on site, which were produced by Northern Ireland Westwind, along with a bio-mass boiler and solar panels. During development, the Atkins developer used a low carbon design for the marina in order to optimise natural light and ventilation. In July 2010, one of the marina's turbines collapsed during a storm.
The Boat That Rocks
On site is the now-closed bar and restaurant The Boat That Rocks, which was open to marina members and the public. Aside from the main ground floor restaurant and bar, the venue also has a terrace area on the first floor. The venue's function room, now known as the Osprey Suite, was originally named the Mulberry Suite.
The venue was originally operated by Dean & Reddyhoff, who invested £750,000 in the venue. It opened in July 2009 and was named as a reference to the 2008 film The Boat That Rocked, which was partially filmed in Portland Harbour. The venue's signage and artwork was also based upon the 1960s pirate radio Radio Caroline, again referring to the film. The venue opened to good reviews, and also hosted Wessex FM's 2010 and 2011's 'The Wessex FM Local Hero Awards'. In August 2010, Rel Pub Co became the new owners of the venue.
In October 2013, the Boat that Rocks unexpectedly closed as a result of the tenant firm, The Boat That Rocks Limited, ceasing trading, with the loss of 15 jobs. After five months of closure, the venue re-opened as Harbour Lights in March 2014, with the new owners Nigel and Ysanne Williams. 20 jobs were created, and plans were immediately made to refurbish the function room. In February 2016, Harbour Lights reverted to the name The Boat That Rocks, though the venue was still under the same ownership. The venue closed in December 2022 due to rising energy costs.
Lynx Display Aircraft
As a reminder of Osprey Quay's former use as RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), a Westland Lynx helicopter has been on display within the marina since June 2011. The idea of placing a helicopter at the marina came from Joanna Dean, wife of John Dean of Dean and Reddyhoff. The Lynx XZ250, which has been nicknamed 'The Hermanator', was loaned to the marina by RNAS Yeovilton. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Lynx helicopter, an official ceremony was held on 12 July 2011, which saw the helicopter unveiled in front of invited guests, including Rear Admiral Tom Cunningham, servicemen and women, local dignitaries and members of the public.
The helicopter entered service in 1978 and remained in operational use for approximately 32 years, with a flying time clocking 7,667 hours. It served at RNAS Portland from 1982 and 1999, as part of the 702, 815 and 829 Naval Air Squadrons, and saw operation on nine Ship's Flights around the world. After 1999, it was transferred with other Lynx helicopters to RNAS Yeovilton.
The helicopter returned to RNAS Yeovilton to undergo restoration in 2014. The work was completed in early 2015 and the helicopter returned to the marina, in its original place, on 20 February 2015. A ceremony was held on the day, and this was attended by the mayors of Weymouth and Portland, Commander Louis Wilson-Chalon, a number of RNAS Yeovilton personnel from the Lynx Helicopter Force, the 1st Portland Scouts and other Portland representatives.
Tom the Torpedo
A Mk 8 torpedo, nicknamed 'Tom the Torpedo', has been displayed at the marina since July 2009. It acts as a reminder of Robert Whitehead's now-demolished Torpedo Works, which was opened in 1891 at Wyke Regis, on the northern shore of the harbour. The factory operated throughout the 20th century and was demolished in 1997 to be replaced by a housing estate.
The torpedo was donated by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. For displaying at the marina, it was restored with assistance from David Heap and George Nowak of the Dorset Submariners Association. The restoration involved repainting the torpedo in its original colours. The Mk 8 torpedo was the common submarine torpedo in use during World War II. The propulsion unit is made up of a radial four cylinder semi-diesel engine, developing 350 BHP, giving a range of 5000 yards at 45.5 knots. This particular model has the identification marks: Mk8** Mod4, AA3321, Number 244, WH 2029.
HMS Illustrious Memorial
During a ceremony on 17 October 2010, a Portland stone memorial was unveiled within the marina in remembrance of a peacetime accident within the harbour involving crew members of the HMS Illustrious. On the night of 17 October 1948, a motor pinnace containing fifty liberty men from the aircraft carrier sank in the harbour with a loss of 29 lives. They had been returning from shore-leave and left Weymouth pier in rough weather. The boat, which was already overloaded, founded 50 yards from Illustrious when it encountered rough seas towards the breakwaters. Of the 23 men recovered, 16 were buried in Portland's Royal Naval Cemetery. The disaster has been described as "one of the biggest tragedies to befall the Royal Navy in peacetime history".
The memorial had been commissioned by the HMS Illustrious Association to mark the 62nd anniversary of the tragedy. It was built by the local stone firm Albion Stone using Jordans Basebed stone. The association felt the memorial would raise awareness of the tragedy. Following the departure of the Royal Navy from Portland Harbour in 1996, a timber plaque memorial was removed from St Paul's Church at Castletown and relocated to Devonport.
The memorial ceremony was performed in the presence of hundreds, which included naval officials, 120 members of HMS Illustrious Association, four survivors of the event, surviving crew mates of Illustrious, relatives of the crewmen who lost their lives in the disaster, and a large Royal Marine Marching Band. Of the various local dignitaries was the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mrs Anthony Pitt Rivers, the borough mayor Paul Kimber, Portland mayor David Thurston, and representatives of the Portland Royal Naval Association. John Green CB QHC, Chaplain of the Fleet, conducted the ceremony, while the memorial was unveiled by First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope. During the ceremony, naval Lynx helicopters and RAF planes flew overhead in tribute to the event. A ceremony has since been held annually at the memorial.
Timber Log
In April 2010, a large timber log was recovered by the Dorset Police Marine Section, approximately 15 miles south-east of Portland Bill. It was decided to tow the log back to Portland Marina and display it in the interest of safety for other seafarers.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) ADP Architecture - Official Website - Portland Marina - website page
2) Albion Stone - Portland Stone Projects - HMS Illustrious Memorial, Portland Marina, Dorset - website page
3) All at Sea - Britain's Most Read Waterfront Newspaper - Directory - Portland Marina - website page
4) Atkins Global - Official Website - Projects - Portland Marina - website page
5) BBC News - New Olympic marina plan approved - June 2007 - website page
6) BBC News - Olympic marina proposal unveiled - February 2007 - website page
7) BBC News - Work continues on Olympic marina - October 2007 - website page
8) BBC News Dorset - Portland Olympic sailing venue wind turbine blows over - July 2010 - website page
9) Bournemouth Echo - Blast from the past at Portland Marina - Martin Lea - July 2009 - website page
10) Dean & Reddyhoff Marinas - Official Website - Portland Marina - website page
11) Dorset Echo - numerous articles from the online archive from 2006 to 2016 - website page
12) Dorset for You - W&P Borough Council - Planning Application Details - 07/00307/FULE (13 July 2007) - website page
16) Dorset for You - W&P Borough Council - Planning Application Details - 08/00011/FULM (9 April 2008) - website page
14) Exploring Portland - Portland Castle, The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and Portland Hospital - Geoff Kirby - website page
15) Faithful+Gould - Official Website - Portland Marina, Osprey Quay - website page
16) Hansard 1803-2005 - Loss of Naval Pinnace (Inquiry) - website page
17) HMS Illustrious Association - HMS Illustrious News - website page
18) Jurassic Electric - Official Website - Electric Bike Demo Day at Portland Marina - website page
19) Ocean Views - Portland Marina - An introduction to Portland Marina - website page
20) Official information board for Royal Navy Westland Lynx at Portland Marina
21) Official information board for Timber Log at Portland Marina
22) Pastscape - HMS Sereptia - website page
23) Powerboat & Rib Magazine - Dry stack comes to Portland Marina - website page
24) Royal Navy - News - Black cat lynx returns as gate guard to Portland marina - February 2015 - website page
25) The Boat that Rocks - Bar & Restaurant - Official Website - About the Boat that Rocks - website page
26) The Boat that Rocks - Bar & Restaurant - Official Website - The Mulberry Suite - website page
27) TripAdvisor - Dorset Restaurants - Isle of Portland - Harbour Lights - website page
28) Weymouth & Portland Marine Directory - Portland Marina - website page
29) Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy - Official Website - History of WPNSA - website page
30) Weymouth in Old Postcards and Photographs - Whitehead Torpedo Works - website page
Portland Marina is the largest single marina constructed in the UK since Halsar Marina at Portsmouth, which was built in 1993. Portland's is also the largest and most sustainable marina of its kind in the country. It was the first permanent facility built in the UK for the 2012 Olympic Games, and is one of Dean & Reddyhoff's five marinas; the others being located at Weymouth, East Cowes, Haslar and Deacons.
The marina is home to over 400 berths, surrounded by an 860 metre breakwater of Portland stone. The development involved reclaiming approximately two acres from the harbour, dredging an approach channel to provide a hoist dock, and the installation of a steel-framed piled-access walkway. The surrounding area also holds various sailing and watersports-related businesses, office space, boat storage and other facilities.
History
Early plans for a marina
Portland Marina was developed as one of a number of key projects forming Osprey Quay during the 2000s. Prior to the site's redevelopment, RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), operational from 1959, was one of the busiest air stations on the south coast. Following its closure in 1999, the Ministry of Defence sold the 80-acre site to the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), who revealed their plans in 2001 for the transformation of the area into Osprey Quay. Meanwhile, the closure of HM Naval Base Portland in 1996 saw Portland Harbour transformed into a commercial port.
With the closure of the air station, the western region of the harbour was able to become a popular area for sailing and watersports, with the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy being established in 1999. Basing themselves in the remaining military buildings, the academy began operations in 2000 and later underwent £7.85 million redevelopment work in 2003-05, which transformed it into a world-class sailing academy. In 2005, with Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay recognised as the finest sailing waters in the UK, the academy was chosen to host the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Plans for a potential marina were first announced in October 2003, following a feasibility study by the SWRDA, assisted by Luhrs Marine. The marina, which would be closely linked to the sailing academy, was seen as an essential addition to the area due to the academy's limited pontoon space. Although no detailed plans had been drawn up at that time, the SWRDA began to receive interest from various commercial operators. Further plans were announced for the marina in February 2004 and the SWRDA began inviting interested developers to approach them. It was hoped a contractor would be appointed that summer, allowing work to commence in 2006. Although the marina operator Marina Developments Ltd had been approached, no agreement materialised. Instead, by the end of March, several constructors had been shortlisted for the project.
With the official announcement in July 2005 that the academy would host the 2012 sailing events, further investment and development of Osprey Quay was expected to be fast-tracked in order to be completed in time. In addition to the marina, other developments being focused on included the Ocean Views development at Castletown, the eco-homes development at Officer's Field, known as the Olympic Village, and the tourism and leisure development Castle Court. By 2006, the SWRDA came to an agreement with Dean & Reddyhoff Limited, who acquired the lease for the marina site. The company's plans for the marina were revealed in September 2006, which also saw the announcement of a new marine business park for the area.
The main feature of the marina plans was a 500 berth yacht marina, protected by a 860 metre breakwater of Portland stone. The plans also included various marina-related buildings, with 40,000 square feet of business space and office accommodation, and a new waterfront promenade with a cycle route. Following a period of public consultation in early 2007, a planning application was submitted in April that year and approved in June. Early predictions hoped the project would create up to 1,000 jobs, while the finished marina would create business opportunities and up to 50 jobs. The scheme was seen as being able to "transform Weymouth and Portland", before, during and after the Olympics.
Construction of Marina
The marina project totalled £21 million, which was privately funded. The construction work of phase one commenced in September 2007, with initial plans aiming to have half of the berths and the entire breakwater completed and opened by late 2008.
The marina development was split between two separate contracts. One focused on all marine and civil work, and the other on the remaining land-based construction. Faithful+Gould were appointed the project's quantity surveyors and CDM coordinators, and provided cost management services throughout the development. Atkins, a global-leading design, engineering and project management consultancy, was hired to help plan and construct the marina. It supplied the marina's architecture, civil and structural engineering, building services engineering, as well as town planning, landscape design, environmental impact assessment, and site supervision. ADP Architecture worked in partnership with George and Harding Construction on designing and constructing the marina buildings, which were given a contemporary design.
The overall goal was to create "a market-leading marina with high quality facilities for cruising and racing yachtsmen". Preliminary work focused on on-site preparations, along with making a start on the mooring piles and pontoon foundations. During October, heavy equipment arrived on site to begin the major work. The pontoon spaces were supplied by Walcon Marine and installed as part of a £3 million contract. The same month saw the construction of the breakwater which saw 200,000 tonnes of Portland Stone used in total.
Due to Portland's extensive range of flora, fauna and wildlife, the development of the marina had to be completed under strict conditions. A rare form of lagoon sandworm, Armandia Cirrhosa, lives on the sea bed of Portland Harbour, and was the source of some debate during the planning and construction of the marina. Dean & Reddyhoff were also given strict rules over construction methods, in effort to avoid disturbing wintering birds in the nearby Fleet Lagoon. No piling was allowed for the pontoons and regular bird counts had to be made. Aside from environmental factors, the marina plans also ensured that it would be compatible for the 2012 Olympic events, along with any related trial events during 2010-11.
In January 2008, further development plans for the marina were announced and put forward to the council for planning permission. These plans included constructing six engineering workshops and a chandlery unit, as well as making space for dry boat storage. They were approved in April, while during the following month, it was revealed that over 250 marina berths had already been reserved by interested boat owners. In October, it was announced that Priority Sites would invest £8 million into developing 65,000 square feet of office space and industrial units within Osprey Quay, and that these would compliment the sailing academy and marina.
Opening of Marina and Use in Olympics
Portland Marina opened in April 2009, although an official ceremony was not carried out until October, when Portland town mayor Richard Paisley and his wife cut a ribbon to officially open the site. The creation of the new marina allowed the neighbouring sailing academy to take advantage of the new breakwater too, while the academy's old moored pontoons had also been reconfigured with piled moorings.
The marina and its facilities were approved by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games as a training venue for international Olympic and Paralympic sailing teams. In June 2009, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, made a royal visit to Weymouth & Portland, and during their time at Portland they visited both the academy and marina. They were showed around by the Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the 2012 events, Lord Sebastian Coe.
In 2009, the marina buildings were awarded a certificate of merit by Weymouth Civic Society for their modern appearance, high standard of design and reflection of the contemporary maritime scene. In 2011, Portland Marina was awarded the Yacht Harbour Association's Five Gold Anchor award, and was the first marina to achieve the standard since the scheme had been re-launched that year. The TYHA gave the marina the maximum amount of 'anchor' points after an inspection. An assessor noted that the marina "boasts a 'well-thought-out' modern marina complex with excellent facilities for boaters plus an onsite restaurant." Julian Goldie, honorary chairman of TYHA, described the marina as "impressive example of effective British industry".
During the 2012 Summer Olympics, the marina's Osprey Quay lease required them to vacate the site for the sailing events. The area was also closed to the public from mid-July until mid-September 2012, with a high security fence being erected around the academy as part of security measures. All of the on-shore facilities and 270 berths at the marina were put into use for the events, with the berths accommodating various vessels, including safety boats, media vessels, official race boats and other support craft. In August, prime minister David Cameron visited the marina, and had commented to the media: "You can see quite a lot of legacy in terms of Portland's great new marina, berthing arrangements and the athletes' accommodation. Alongside the physical infrastructure invested and built, there's the even bigger boost because the Olympics have given Weymouth and Portland great advertisement time. It will also inspire a whole lot of people to take up windsurfing and sailing."
After the success of the 2012 Olympics, Dean & Reddyhoff and the on-site businesses were able to resume normal service at the marina. In July 2013, Lord Sebastian Coe visited Weymouth and Portland to celebrate the upcoming first anniversary of the games. He visited the Olympic Rings monument at New Ground, and unveiled plaques at Portland Marina and the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre.
Facilities
The marina holds over 400 berths, which are available at an annual rate, while additional visitor berths are able to accommodate vessels up to 50 metres. There is a wide range of storage facilities ashore, with dry-sailing facilities for sports boats and RIB's, as well as a "monster forklift system". A lift out travel hoist is available to boats up to 50 tonnes and 18 metres long.
A number of sailing-related businesses have established themselves within the marina, and these include:
- KTK Prime Motor Yachts - a leading UK Beneteau dealer
- Apollo Chandlery - operated by Apollo Marine Systems
- Halfwave - a global inspection service leader to the oil and gas industry
- Cove Yacht Brokerage - a broker selling sail and power boats
- Quality Time Training - a RYA training centre
- Subsea Asset Location Technology (SALT) Ltd - an underwater location technology-based specialist
- RYA Performance Centre - a centre with facilities for team-training or competition, including gyms, treatment rooms, workshops and teaching areas.
- Scimitar Diving - a diving company for divers of all levels, operating with local knowledge and a fleet of three dive boats
- Marine Tec Limited - a maintenance and engineering service, covering all aspects of boat or yacht maintenance
The marina office is manned each day of the year, 24 hours a day. The site is also home to the Dorset Marine Police, who have a fully operational unit onsite.
As part of the marina's environmental commitments, a number of wind turbines have been erected on site, which were produced by Northern Ireland Westwind, along with a bio-mass boiler and solar panels. During development, the Atkins developer used a low carbon design for the marina in order to optimise natural light and ventilation. In July 2010, one of the marina's turbines collapsed during a storm.
The Boat That Rocks
On site is the now-closed bar and restaurant The Boat That Rocks, which was open to marina members and the public. Aside from the main ground floor restaurant and bar, the venue also has a terrace area on the first floor. The venue's function room, now known as the Osprey Suite, was originally named the Mulberry Suite.
The venue was originally operated by Dean & Reddyhoff, who invested £750,000 in the venue. It opened in July 2009 and was named as a reference to the 2008 film The Boat That Rocked, which was partially filmed in Portland Harbour. The venue's signage and artwork was also based upon the 1960s pirate radio Radio Caroline, again referring to the film. The venue opened to good reviews, and also hosted Wessex FM's 2010 and 2011's 'The Wessex FM Local Hero Awards'. In August 2010, Rel Pub Co became the new owners of the venue.
In October 2013, the Boat that Rocks unexpectedly closed as a result of the tenant firm, The Boat That Rocks Limited, ceasing trading, with the loss of 15 jobs. After five months of closure, the venue re-opened as Harbour Lights in March 2014, with the new owners Nigel and Ysanne Williams. 20 jobs were created, and plans were immediately made to refurbish the function room. In February 2016, Harbour Lights reverted to the name The Boat That Rocks, though the venue was still under the same ownership. The venue closed in December 2022 due to rising energy costs.
Lynx Display Aircraft
As a reminder of Osprey Quay's former use as RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), a Westland Lynx helicopter has been on display within the marina since June 2011. The idea of placing a helicopter at the marina came from Joanna Dean, wife of John Dean of Dean and Reddyhoff. The Lynx XZ250, which has been nicknamed 'The Hermanator', was loaned to the marina by RNAS Yeovilton. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Lynx helicopter, an official ceremony was held on 12 July 2011, which saw the helicopter unveiled in front of invited guests, including Rear Admiral Tom Cunningham, servicemen and women, local dignitaries and members of the public.
The helicopter entered service in 1978 and remained in operational use for approximately 32 years, with a flying time clocking 7,667 hours. It served at RNAS Portland from 1982 and 1999, as part of the 702, 815 and 829 Naval Air Squadrons, and saw operation on nine Ship's Flights around the world. After 1999, it was transferred with other Lynx helicopters to RNAS Yeovilton.
The helicopter returned to RNAS Yeovilton to undergo restoration in 2014. The work was completed in early 2015 and the helicopter returned to the marina, in its original place, on 20 February 2015. A ceremony was held on the day, and this was attended by the mayors of Weymouth and Portland, Commander Louis Wilson-Chalon, a number of RNAS Yeovilton personnel from the Lynx Helicopter Force, the 1st Portland Scouts and other Portland representatives.
Tom the Torpedo
A Mk 8 torpedo, nicknamed 'Tom the Torpedo', has been displayed at the marina since July 2009. It acts as a reminder of Robert Whitehead's now-demolished Torpedo Works, which was opened in 1891 at Wyke Regis, on the northern shore of the harbour. The factory operated throughout the 20th century and was demolished in 1997 to be replaced by a housing estate.
The torpedo was donated by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. For displaying at the marina, it was restored with assistance from David Heap and George Nowak of the Dorset Submariners Association. The restoration involved repainting the torpedo in its original colours. The Mk 8 torpedo was the common submarine torpedo in use during World War II. The propulsion unit is made up of a radial four cylinder semi-diesel engine, developing 350 BHP, giving a range of 5000 yards at 45.5 knots. This particular model has the identification marks: Mk8** Mod4, AA3321, Number 244, WH 2029.
HMS Illustrious Memorial
During a ceremony on 17 October 2010, a Portland stone memorial was unveiled within the marina in remembrance of a peacetime accident within the harbour involving crew members of the HMS Illustrious. On the night of 17 October 1948, a motor pinnace containing fifty liberty men from the aircraft carrier sank in the harbour with a loss of 29 lives. They had been returning from shore-leave and left Weymouth pier in rough weather. The boat, which was already overloaded, founded 50 yards from Illustrious when it encountered rough seas towards the breakwaters. Of the 23 men recovered, 16 were buried in Portland's Royal Naval Cemetery. The disaster has been described as "one of the biggest tragedies to befall the Royal Navy in peacetime history".
The memorial had been commissioned by the HMS Illustrious Association to mark the 62nd anniversary of the tragedy. It was built by the local stone firm Albion Stone using Jordans Basebed stone. The association felt the memorial would raise awareness of the tragedy. Following the departure of the Royal Navy from Portland Harbour in 1996, a timber plaque memorial was removed from St Paul's Church at Castletown and relocated to Devonport.
The memorial ceremony was performed in the presence of hundreds, which included naval officials, 120 members of HMS Illustrious Association, four survivors of the event, surviving crew mates of Illustrious, relatives of the crewmen who lost their lives in the disaster, and a large Royal Marine Marching Band. Of the various local dignitaries was the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mrs Anthony Pitt Rivers, the borough mayor Paul Kimber, Portland mayor David Thurston, and representatives of the Portland Royal Naval Association. John Green CB QHC, Chaplain of the Fleet, conducted the ceremony, while the memorial was unveiled by First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope. During the ceremony, naval Lynx helicopters and RAF planes flew overhead in tribute to the event. A ceremony has since been held annually at the memorial.
Timber Log
In April 2010, a large timber log was recovered by the Dorset Police Marine Section, approximately 15 miles south-east of Portland Bill. It was decided to tow the log back to Portland Marina and display it in the interest of safety for other seafarers.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) ADP Architecture - Official Website - Portland Marina - website page
2) Albion Stone - Portland Stone Projects - HMS Illustrious Memorial, Portland Marina, Dorset - website page
3) All at Sea - Britain's Most Read Waterfront Newspaper - Directory - Portland Marina - website page
4) Atkins Global - Official Website - Projects - Portland Marina - website page
5) BBC News - New Olympic marina plan approved - June 2007 - website page
6) BBC News - Olympic marina proposal unveiled - February 2007 - website page
7) BBC News - Work continues on Olympic marina - October 2007 - website page
8) BBC News Dorset - Portland Olympic sailing venue wind turbine blows over - July 2010 - website page
9) Bournemouth Echo - Blast from the past at Portland Marina - Martin Lea - July 2009 - website page
10) Dean & Reddyhoff Marinas - Official Website - Portland Marina - website page
11) Dorset Echo - numerous articles from the online archive from 2006 to 2016 - website page
12) Dorset for You - W&P Borough Council - Planning Application Details - 07/00307/FULE (13 July 2007) - website page
16) Dorset for You - W&P Borough Council - Planning Application Details - 08/00011/FULM (9 April 2008) - website page
14) Exploring Portland - Portland Castle, The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and Portland Hospital - Geoff Kirby - website page
15) Faithful+Gould - Official Website - Portland Marina, Osprey Quay - website page
16) Hansard 1803-2005 - Loss of Naval Pinnace (Inquiry) - website page
17) HMS Illustrious Association - HMS Illustrious News - website page
18) Jurassic Electric - Official Website - Electric Bike Demo Day at Portland Marina - website page
19) Ocean Views - Portland Marina - An introduction to Portland Marina - website page
20) Official information board for Royal Navy Westland Lynx at Portland Marina
21) Official information board for Timber Log at Portland Marina
22) Pastscape - HMS Sereptia - website page
23) Powerboat & Rib Magazine - Dry stack comes to Portland Marina - website page
24) Royal Navy - News - Black cat lynx returns as gate guard to Portland marina - February 2015 - website page
25) The Boat that Rocks - Bar & Restaurant - Official Website - About the Boat that Rocks - website page
26) The Boat that Rocks - Bar & Restaurant - Official Website - The Mulberry Suite - website page
27) TripAdvisor - Dorset Restaurants - Isle of Portland - Harbour Lights - website page
28) Weymouth & Portland Marine Directory - Portland Marina - website page
29) Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy - Official Website - History of WPNSA - website page
30) Weymouth in Old Postcards and Photographs - Whitehead Torpedo Works - website page
Gallery
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