HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding new Training Academy.
The Princess Royal also launched the boatbuilder’s new Hardy 45 European yacht.
The new academy offers a four-year training programme that provides young people with the range of skills required to prepare them for careers in the marine sector. The academy has been developed in partnership with the Cornwall Marine Network.
Cockwells was applauded for enabling young people to learn the traditional craft of boatbuilding alongside the latest technological advances.
The event also highlighted the importance of investing in and making the best of local talent, and offering the right training facilities in the right areas.
Manufacturing facility
During the visit, The Princess Royal was presented by Cockwell’s founder, Dave Cockwell to Paul Wickes MBE, CEO of Cornwall Marine Network and board member of Maritime UK, together with Cockwells’ marketing director, Jo Cockwell, MD Dean Short, and finance director of the Pendennis Group, Ian Granville, before escorting her on a tour of the manufacturing facility where the company builds its larger vessels.
The Pendennis Group acquired a majority stake in Cockwells in 2024, which will enable further expansion of its craft.
The first stop on the tour of the shipyard was the Moulding Shed, where moulding production manager, Ryan Tunnicliffe and moulding team leader, Harry Burley, were presented.
Next, The Princess Royal was introduced to production director, Jason Foat in the main parts building workshop.
Training Academy
The opportunity then arose for two groups of Cockwells’ Apprentices along with their tutor, Drew Pilley, to be introduced to Her Royal Highness followed by engineer, George Kohlman and boat building team leader, George Henney and production manager, Lee Sennett.
“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Cockwells’ south west shipyard and mark two important developments in the company’s history – the official opening of our Training Academy and the launch of our new Hardy 45 European,” said Dave Cockwell.
“We discussed the importance of sharing the traditional skills of the shipwright with the next generation of boat builders and the vital contribution that the boatbuilding industry makes to our island nation.”
He added: “I also shared Cockwells’ ambitious plans for future growth so that we can continue to provide secure, well-paid employment for local people, ensure that we have a talent pool of highly-skilled craftsmen and women, sustain Cornwall’s reputation for boatbuilding excellence and meet global demand for our beautiful bespoke boats.”
