Princess Anne opens Cockwells’ new training facility
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding, based in Cornwall and part of the Pendennis Group, welcomed Princess Anne for a tour of its South West Shipyard in Ponsharden on Tuesday, 6 May.
British boatbuilder Cockwells became part of the Pendennis Group in 2024 following a majority acquisition. The acquisition sets the firm up for further expansion across its Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and superyacht tender lines.
During the visit, Princess Anne was shown the moulding shed where moulding production manager, Ryan Tunnicliffe, and moulding team leader, Harry Burley, explained the boat moulding process, which includes gelling the mould and applying fibreglass layers based on surface area and hull thickness.
Production director, Jason Foat, then gave an overview of the production process in the main parts building workshop.
Princess Anne then officially opened The Cockwells Training Academy by unveiling a plaque bearing a Cornish flag. The academy delivers a four-year programme that equips young people with practical skills and theoretical knowledge relevant to the marine industry, and has been developed in partnership with the Cornwall Marine Network.
Princess Anne also met two groups of Cockwells’ apprentices and their tutor, Drew Pilley. She asked each apprentice about their background, entry into the apprenticeship programme and future aspirations.
“The Cockwells Training Academy has provided an incredibly positive route forward into my career,” said apprentice, Louis Foulkes. “I believe the skillsets and opportunities provided will allow me to spend the rest of my working life in a fantastic industry, and it was an honour to share this with The Princess Royal today.”
At the boat assembly area, Princess Anne met engineer, George Kohlman; boat building team leader, George Henney; and production manager, Lee Sennett, who invited her to view a newly constructed Duchy 35, a model in the Duchy Motor Launches range.
Following the unveiling, Princess Anne launched the Hardy 45 European by pouring a bottle of Camel Valley champagne over its bow.
“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,” says founder and sales director, 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.
“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.”
The Hardy 45 European is a new motor yacht capable of both inland and ocean cruising. Built with the same semi-displacement hull as the Hardy 42 and designed by naval architect Andrew Wolstenholme, the vessel includes features for versatility, including a folding radar arch for inland use and bow and stern thrusters for manoeuvrability.
“Our all-new Hardy 45 European provides an extraordinarily luxurious and secure environment for ocean crossings and long-distance cruising,” adds Cockwell. “But if you prefer the smoother waters of canals and rivers, then she is the perfect vessel for those kinds of voyages too.”
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