COWES MARINE CLUSTER PROJECTS

This section is a round-up of the activity within the Marine Cluster at the moment.

Maritime Enterprises are currently working on projects including wooden blocks for s.y Lulworth, s.y. Britannia. Various spars for s.y.Moonbeam 111. Interior refits of two other classics one motor the other sail.

VT Halmatic continues to work with Cluster members, in seeking quotations, when we feel that a particular company can offer us a product or service that we require. Currently we are placing work on the Isle of Wight which does include a major contract with one organization.

Cluster members that feel that they can offer VT Halmatic products or services, to enhance our range of commercial and military craft, should send information to us and we will ensure that it reaches the correct contact within VT Halmatic and The VT Composite Technology Centre. Both being based at our Portchester Shipyard facility. Contact Simon Thomson at VT Halmatic. (see Cluster Members for contact information).

Navigate Marketing are currently working on the following projects for UK clients:

1. French speaking support for export project:
Establishing a customer base in France for a marine software range. The project process is as follows:
1. Research - Identifying potential routes to market through distributors, specialist technical support companies and franchise operations.
2. Preparation of presentation in French for potential accounts.
3. Market visit with client to present the product range to potential customers.
4. Selection and appointment of new customers.
5. Preparation of marketing programme to support the product range in France, including PR and Editorial to media, sales literature, training programmes and product launch and support at French boat shows.
5. Ongoing sales and marketing management for the French accounts.

2. Marketing Review, Strategy and Action Plan for 1 year old company selling to consumers:
1. Analysis of product features and benefits and unique selling points.
2. Analysis of competition.
3. Identify and build profiles of customer target groups.
4. Clarify marketing strategy.
5. Develop marketing action plan against time and budget, including brand development, new website, increased PR, literature and exhibitions, advertising where cost effective.
6. Review and measure performance.

Multimarine Composites are in the finishing stages of the build of the first ever VSV to be built for a private customer. This 73’ wave-piercing power boat will have a fuel capacity of 13 tonnes, giving it a range of 1,800 nautical miles and making it capable of worldwide cruising. Propulsion is provided by a V12 32litre 1650HP Caterpillar engine, with a kite as an auxiliary system. A Rolls Royce Kamewa waterjet will give increased mobility in tight quarters such as marinas.

Multimarine Composites are supervising the build of the Dazcat 10.2 VOYAGER, a production cruising catamaran with a demountable rig for sailing rivers and canals. The first six boats have already been sold and VOYAGER number one will hit the water early next year.

In a move into the automotive industry, Multimarine Composites has built the superstructure for the Genesis, the UK’s only (recent) enclosed motorcycle. The Genesis has a carbon composite body containing a single seat with a safety cell and a seatbelt to protect the driver. Powered by a 650cc engine and with CVT transmission, it has a proven fuel consumption of 80m.p.g., with one run at 105m.p.g. The project is the brainchild of Ian Pegram, who had the prototype built as a proof of concept vehicle, confident that backing for a production run will be found later.

Creation Composites’ current projects are constructing three Wally pre-preg composite yachts, two of which are the largest carbon composite yachts in the world to date, .one @148ft/1 @143ft/1 @130ft.These are seen on the website wally.com under (yachts under construction) and we have now a website and brochure with dvd to promote our carbon furniture company Affina to which is www.affina.co.uk. We are also making modifications on Prada's America's Cup Yacht Luna Rossa in Valencia with another UK company trading through Cutting Edge Composites Ltd.

The US Army's Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) has awarded FBM Babcock Marine a contract to overhaul and modernise their fleet of specialist Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs). To learn more about this Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) go to http://www.fbmuk.com and click on BEB SLEP.

Cowes Week saw the opening, by Dame Ellen MacArthur, of the new mooring pontoons and access bridge at Trinity Landing completed by Mackley Construction. The SEEDA project undertaken by Mackley Construction at Venture Quays is also nearing completion; works include reclamation of land for future development, sheet and tube piling, installation of a boat hoist and 30T concrete pontoons supplied by Intermarine, Mackley Construction’s new partner.

Mandy Gale & Sue Plummer of Travel Counsellors provide a regular business travel service to SP Systems & GRP Laminates and have now organised a trip to Canada for South Boats.

PD Commercial Consultants have just signed up a distribution Agreement with a transmission/gearbox manufacturer to distribute a modification to volvo drives which increases engine revs and gets the boat up onto the plane very much quicker than before. The trickery is in the little black box at the top of the leg. This has been fitted to a Fairline which is being used as a demonstrator. The difference in performance is remarkable.

The Cluster is looking at a proposed scheme to look at best practice in terms of ‘workforce pooling’ on behalf of the members of Cowes Marine Cluster. More details will follow as this project progresses.