Fire investigation officers are working to establish the cause of a fire that broke out at a boatyard in Tipner Lane in Portsmouth, Hampshire, destroying five boats.
Laura Hodgetts
Features editor

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Yacht charter in Europe: where to sail
From bareboat to skippered or flotilla holidays, Laura Hodgetts looks at options for sunnier climes a few hours’ flight away
Left for dead after falling overboard: how one sailor survived 5 hours lost at sea before rescue
Roger Cottle was presumed dead after falling overboard a 27ft yacht and lost at sea for five-and-a-half hours in a holed lifejacket, at night
Plan to secure future of nautical publisher Imray paper charts
Good news for Imray's paper charts: the nautical publisher and freytag & berndt aim to “ensure the continued availability” of Imray's paper charts and books
Big worries over new MCA Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice
Sail training providers across the UK are warning the cost of proposed changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) ‘Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice’ could have a ‘devastating’…
Have your say on boat licensing via the Canal and River Trust survey
Share your experiences and suggestions for improvement via the Canal and River Trust's boat licensing survey – are changes needed for the network’s future?
Where to recycle old sails and end of life kit – drop off points across the UK and Europe
Got old sails and old rope that you don't want to put into landfill? The ReSail platform allows sailors to find free drop-off points to give new life to end-of-life…
New AIS MOB device rule affecting sailors
Big changes to marine radio device rules are planned to be brought into the UK. The only MOB AIS devices allowed will be those that incorporate DSC on Ch70.
Ian Williams named YJA Yachtsman of the Year
Ian Williams has been named the Yachting Journalists' Association's Yachtsman of the Year; Jessye Opoku-Ware was awarded the 2024 YJA Young Sailor of the Year
Launch of Sunsail’s sailing club prizes for 2025 at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Up to £6,000 can be won by sailing charities and RYA sailing and yacht clubs with the best grassroots initiative, plus £2,000 runner-up prizes. Apply online for Sunsail's Funding the
Triple amputee Craig Wood prepares for 80 day solo Pacific crossing
Triple amputee Craig Wood is gearing up for a world record setting solo voyage across the Pacific to change perceptions of what disabled people can do and show that sailing…
Talks schedule and sailing stars confirmed for RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show
A host of British sailing stars are set to join tactical and technical experts and inspiring adventurers as guest speakers at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Coroner calls for boat law to deter drunk sailing
A coroner has raised concerns about the lack of legislation prohibiting the use of alcohol or drugs by those helming a vessel for private or pleasure use, following the death…
Boaters warned of dehumidifier fire risk
Following a blaze on a Sadler 29, boaters are being warned of the risks of a dehumidifier fire risk and are being urged to make regular checks
Weir Wood Sailing Club has closed – sad news for grassroots sailing
Weir Wood Sailing Club (WWSC), in East Sussex, has made the "difficult decision to close" its sailing and windsurfing centre on Weir Wood Reservoir
Installing a Wavestream 1 bilge filter
Dirty, oily bilge water from your boat’s hull can be filtered to protect marine life. We talk to sailors who have retrofitted the Wavestream 1 kit...
Why the International Boatbuilding Training College – IBTC Lowestoft – is closing its doors for good
The cost of materials and general overheads, impacted by Britain’s departure from the European Unit (Brexit), the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war, along with falling student numbers have been cited…
Nominations open for the Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year Awards
Members of the public have until the 31st December 2024 to make their nominations for the 2024 Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year
Coroner raises ‘industry-wide concerns’ about marina safety ladders after drowning
The tragic death of a liveaboard boater, who drowned after falling into cold water and struggling with a marina safety ladder, has prompted a hard-hitting coroner's report demanding 'industry-wide changes'
End of Imray paper charts: historic publisher to phase out chart publishing in 2025
Imray, the leading publisher of nautical information for leisure sailors, will cease its paper chart publishing operations in 2025.