Portland Marina, with its generously proportioned 270 berths (rising to 560 plus on full completion) now welcomes smaller vessels such as RIBs and small sports/ fishing boats to try out its Dry Berthing facility.

Situated on the beautiful Jurassic Coast and part of the venue for the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer, Portland Marina is accessible at all states of the tide, has exceptional shower and washroom facilities and the buzzing Boat that Rocks bar/restaurant next door to the marina office with its 24 hour CCTV security and ever helpful staff.

This area is ideal for day boats exploring or fishing these wonderful clean waters, with Lyme Bay to the West and Lullworth Cove to the East and everything that Weymouth can offer in the middle – seafood heaven!

Dry berthing means that boat owners can forget about antifouling, electrolysis, unavoidable wear and tear from being in the water and parking the trailer. Boats are launched pretty much on demand or at most with a minimum of 1 hour notice. The package includes unlimited lifts and Portland has its own fuel berth supplying both petrol and diesel at competitive prices.

There are 70 boats dry berthed at Portland Marina at the moment with plans to build a dedicated store which would house up to 180 boats and Dean & Reddyhoff plan to expand this in the future if demand continues to grow.

The state of the art Neptune Forklift (photo) can lift a huge range of vessels into the dry berthing facility, and can lift up to 10 tonnes. Please contact us to check your vessel is suitable on 0845 430 2012 or email JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING

Price ranges are: 5 – 7.9m = £360 per metre and 8 – 9.9m = £385 per metre per annum

For more information please contact a member of the team on 0845 430 2012

Press Contacts please call Penny Hopkins on 07901 573365 : JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING

The Haven Academy is a unique initiative designed to provide funding to selected projects that advance the enjoyment of boating. The Haven Academy offers the opportunity for boating enthusiasts to apply for a grant for any boating project that needs a helping hand.

The judges are looking for project ideas, connected with either inland or coastal waters, which demonstrates a real passion for boat build and restoration, boating innovation, or the boating environment.

The categories, each offering a grant of up to £3,000, are:

-New build or restoration of a boat or boating facility.

-Boating innovation resulting in the improved performance or safety of boating (for example, navigation aids or new ideas for safety equipment).

-Boating environment supporting initiatives for the environmental improvement of inland or coastal waters.

We received a number of outstanding entries for the 2011 Awards and were pleased to award funding to some very deserving projects. The Haven Academy has proved, that with our help and encouragement, previous winners have made great ideas come to life:

-The Grade II listed dry dock at the National Waterways Museum in Cheshire has been cleared and the gates will soon be remounted. The dock will shortly again be able to play a pivotal role in the restoration and upkeep of boats in the locality.

-The restoration of ‘Marlyn’ now restored to a seaworthy state and given to the local Sea Cadets as a much needed training and support boat.

-The installation of a new winch for Dover Watersports will enable dinghies and boats to be moved safely up and down the beach.

World-renowned sailor, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to perform a single-handed circumnavigation of the globe, is Chairman of the Haven Academy. Sir Robin said:

“Our motto this year is ‘Mission Possible!’  so if you have an idea for a great boating project that seems impossible to get started, the Haven Academy wants to hear about it.  Our previous winners proved that, with our help and encouragement, you can make a great idea come to life.”

John Macaulay, General Manager at Haven Knox Johnston, one of the UK’s leading providers in boat insurance said:

“As fellow enthusiasts, we are delighted that our business is able to put something back, purely to fuel the enjoyment of boating. We are looking forward to eclipsing last year’s outstanding response.”

Applications open on 16 September and are available by clicking on to www.boatinsure.co.uk/academy.

The closing date for applications is 30 November 2011, with the winners being announced during April 2012.

With our eyes providing more than 90% of sensory input for top sporting performance, serious enthusiasts should never overlook the importance of the correct eyewear.

Roger Pope & Partners are dispensing opticians offering a solution for all sporting visual needs, particularly if you need vision correction within the lenses. Their aim is to ensure that your eyes receive 100% UV protection and are guarded from debris and dust, particularly when cycling and running, and sporting specs that stay in place are a top priority at the practice.

Now at the New Cavendish Street practice is the Bollé Marine Collection, designed specifically for sailing. Bollé are official suppliers to Skandia Team GB, and the polarised Marine Collection brings a choice of lenses in ten different styles. The embedded polarisation will never rub off or wear out, the anti-reflective coating repels glare that may creep in from behind, and the hydrophobic coating repels water.

You can see the collection at Roger Pope & Partners, 41 New Cavendish Street, London W1.

Recently out from specialist manufacturers Poly-Planar, and now being offered in the UK by Marine AV, is the MRD80i, a premium-quality, waterproof stereo that has been styled to blend in alongside professional-standard navigation instruments. Optimised for maritime use, it has a sealed, die-cast chassis and waterproofing to IP66. For full details visit www.marine-audio.com