Grants of up to £3,000 will be made once more by the Haven Academy, an initiative that funds selected new projects that ‘advance the enjoyment of boating’.

Last year’s winning projects included the restoration of the boat Marlyn, given to Ellesmere Port Sea Cadets for their training, installing a new winch to move boats safely over the beach at Dover, and the clearing and re-gating of the Grade II-listed dry dock at Cheshire’s National Waterways Museum.

Judging panel chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says, ‘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.’

The Haven Academy was founded in 2010 by boat insurers Haven Knox Johnston. Applications for this year’s grants may be made between 16 September and 30 November by clicking on to www.boatinsure.co.uk/academy. The winners will be announced next April.

_{Image: Haven Academy grant winner Marlyn, the restored training boat for use by Ellesmere Port Sea Cadets}