Friday 2nd July marked the official hand over to LOCOG, of the new 11m South Cat to be used as a start boat at the sailing events at the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012. I would like you to pass on my congratulations to you and your team at South Boats Special Projects and also to the team at GRP Laminates in Cowes.

To say that the boat is immaculate is almost not doing it justice! Everyone who has so far seen her has expressed their views on the quality of the finish and attention to detail. I have been attending the Olympics since 1984 and I believe that this is the best example of a starting boat yet to be produced and the sailing team are eagerly waiting to use her this year. Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta is her first event, soon coming up in August, where you will be able to see her in action on the web site with live TV on Saturday 14th and a highlights programme likely to be on BBC 2 on the following Saturday.

Once again many thanks to all the team at both companies and please pass on our thanks. Great British workmanship supporting the greatest event to ever come to the UK in our lifetime!

Kind regards,
Rob Andrews
Sailing Manager.

Britain’s first dive school, founded in 1958, Divers Down on Swanage pier offers dive charters and training, with two boats working seven days a week from March to October. With plans to expand further, they chose GRP Laminates’s Kit & Fit option on the 12m South Boats keel catamaran. Skipper Pete Williams is clear about what he wanted from his new dive boat:

“Dive charter boats take a real hammering, with hard kit and a long, non-stop season, so materials and workmanship have to be exceptional. We have been really impressed by the superb build quality at GRP Laminates.”

“Divers take so much gear with them these days, you need a spacious kitting up area. We wanted a full size cabin so that all 12 plus two crew can stay warm and sit out of the weather, and a full size galley. The boat obviously has to have excellent sea-keeping and a decent range, as we travel to dive sites 60 miles away.”

The superb design of the cat adds flexibility to the business outside the dive market; Pete Williams has recently chartered for the BBC Springwatch crew and Bournemouth Air Show. The additional speed, comfort, and capacity of the new vessel will further extend the type of commercial contracts that can be taken on.

Divers Down’s new boat, in their characteristic orange and grey livery, should be delivered by the end of this summer, ready for kitting-out by the customer during their quieter period. She will certainly be earning her keep!

To find out more about Kit & Fit dive boats, please contact Bob Bennett at GRP Laminates, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Ben Colman of South Boats Special Projects at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Visit http://www.diversdownswanage.co.uk for more information including in-build pictures of the new boat or call Pete Williams on 01929 423565.