5th June 2025 • The HERALD • Page 65 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v ASK A PROFESSIONAL YATES & CO Chartered Accountants Specialists in providing accounting and taxation advice to small businesses and individuals Contact: Colin Yates A.C.A. Telephone: (023) 8086 1550 E-mail: enquiries@yatesco.co.uk Personal and Friendly Service Innovation and Standout Debuts Take Centre Stage at the 2025 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show e 6th edition of the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, held at MDL’s Ocean Village Marina from 9th – 11th May, attracted over ve thousand visitors, reinforcing its place as a key event on the UK’s marine calendar. e three day event was officially opened by the Lord Mayor and Sheri of Southampton, Cllr David Shields, with the event welcoming visitors from across the globe including Turkey, Greece, Germany and the USA. With over 130 boats on display both shoreside and a oat, the show featured a compelling lineup of World, UK and show premieres from renowned brands such as Axopar, Hanse and Saxdor. Among the standout launches was the World debut of the Hardy 45 European – the rst Hardy to be completely designed and built in-house by Cockwells – which was o cially unveiled on 7th May by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal at the boatbuilder’s headquarters in Falmouth, Cornwall. Exhibitors reported strong interest and impressive sales activity throughout the event. Approved Boats celebrated a successful start, securing two sales on the opening day alone. Fairline, Absolute and Windy also reported boat sales, along with a steady stream of on-site appointments and highquality enquiries, underlining the show’s e ectiveness in connecting serious buyers with the latest innovations. The Innovation Hub, sponsored by ePropulsion, was a key feature of the show, o ering a dynamic schedule of talks and presentations by experts at the forefront of sustainable marine technology. “The Innovation Hub was buzzing. We had fantastic conversations about our electric propulsion range and met some truly forward-thinking partners and customers. It’s a brilliant environment to showcase real innovation,” said Steve Bruce, Managing Director at ePropulsion. Among the standout presentations was Raymarine’s Paul Childs, who introduced the Dame Awardwinning Alpha Display Series and the new Smart Wind transducer. Both innovations set bold new standards for intuitive navigation and wind measurement, drawing considerable attention from tech-savvy sailors and marine engineers alike. Under the Maritime UK Solent banner, a collection of visionary tech companies demonstrated breakthrough solutions powered by regional funding. Highlights included Anchorite and its award-winning anchor chain marking system, recently named Start-Up of the Year for its innovative, safety-enhancing design. Salmon Marine also captured attention with its revolutionary shock mitigation system for RIBs, developed in partnership with the RNLI to reduce back injuries and improve performance on rough waters. “The show provides vital exposure for local tech startups and a strong platform to accelerate green growth in our region,” says Stuart Baker, Managing Director of Maritime UK Solent. “We were delighted to see such enthusiastic engagement with our supported companies.” Following a public vote that attracted nearly 1,000 participants, Fischer Panda UK was crowned the winner of MDL’s prestigious Green Innovator Award 2025, which recognises sustainable product development across the industry. Recognised for its pioneering work and electric propulsion systems, Fischer Panda UK has been leading the charge in sustainable marine solutions for over 20 years. Voters praised the company’s commitment to rst-class engineering, reliable and sustainable products, and its handson, local support in the Southampton area. Rea rming its long-term commitment to the show, Raymarine has signed a new three-year partnership with the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, securing its role as a key sponsor and guiding presence through to 2028. Richard Marsden, UK Sales Manager at Raymarine, adds: “Raymarine is proud to support a show that celebrates both tradition and progress. The feedback on our Alpha Series displays and Smart Wind sensor was incredible – it’s clear the appetite for smart, sustainable tech is only growing.” Commenting on the show’s success, Tim Mayer, MDL’s Sales and Marketing Director and show organiser, says: “This year’s show once again exceeded expectations. With over 130 boats and 85 exhibitors, the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show has firmly established itself as the UK’s premier regional exhibition for serious boat buyers – and a major driver of dealer sales. We’re particularly proud of how the Innovation Hub continues to grow and inspire. We’re already looking forward to 2026.” e 2026 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show will return to Ocean Village Marina from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th May 2026. 2025 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show
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