Ten years of Barclays sponsorship, ongoing Royal Navy support and the end of the Duck era…

The Barclays Jersey Boat Show, the largest free-entry event in the Channel Islands takes place in and around the award-winning St Helier Marina and Weighbridge Place over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 04 to Monday 06 May 2019). The show gives residents and visitors alike the opportunity to dip their toes into all things nautical and discover at close quarters the wealth of maritime activities, services and leisure facilities available on the Island.

This year the event will celebrate the tenth year of the Barclays’ sponsorship, a remarkable record. During that time Barclays have raised over £80,000 for local charities, some of which comes from the hugely popular Barclay’s Hook-a-Duck feature.

Although the ducks have become collector’s items, Barclays has decided to make the 2019 duck the last of the current series, as it seeks to minimise its impact on the environment. Barclays plans to reduce the carbon footprint of their global business by 80% by 2025. Organisers of the Show are also mindful of environment concerns and this year will see the introduction of new eco initiatives implemented as part of Ports of Jersey’s environmental programme. The show will be a balloon and confetti free zone, introduce a new “Eco Zone” and offer its own branded free reusable cups.

The Royal Navy has been a supporter of the Barclays Jersey Boat Show since its inception and will be at this year’s event with a number of vessels and assets on display for the public to enjoy. Taking pride of place in the Royal Navy assets is HMS TYNE, an 80m River-Class offshore patrol vessel used by the Royal Navy for fisheries protection and security. The 1,700-tonne vessel is capable of speeds up to 20 knots and able to spend up to 21 days at sea. Other assets on display include two P2000 Archer Class Patrol Vessels, HMS SMITER and HMS RANGER, both Royal Navy Unit patrol ships from Oxford University and Sussex University respectively.

These two vessels, which will be berthed in St Helier Marina, provide travel opportunities for Royal Navy students, both in the UK and overseas as well as personal development and leadership training. Two offshore raiding crafts (ORCs) will also be appearing, equipped with forward facing heavy machine guns. The 9-metre-long ORCs feature an aluminium hull with a low enough draft to allow for safe, rapid beach insertions, capable of carrying 2 crew and up to 8 fully-equipped Royal Marines.

A Military Village features a Royal Marines Armoured Support Group (RMASG) Viking All-Terrain Vehicle alongside the Commando Recruitment Team who will be in attendance with a full inflatable weapons dome allowing the public to get up close and personal with the mix of machinery in their arsenal.

The event also offers a marina full of the latest in leisure craft, power and sail, a full programme of live entertainment on the The Solent Stevedores Main Stage and a second stage featuring local talent, a wealth of local food and drink offerings and plenty of shopping at the tented villages all around St Helier’s marina.

Paul Savery, managing director of Barclays says: “Barclays is proud to have sponsored the largest free event in the Channel Islands for 10 years now and to have helped raise more than £80,000 for local charities. Our 10th anniversary sponsorship will see us celebrate Barclays’ involvement in the Show and reflect upon a “decade of the duck” with islanders and visitors alike.”

Commenting on the Royal Navy presence, on behalf of Ports of Jersey, Myra Shacklady, said: “The Royal Navy assets on display are a popular addition and the Boat Show would not be complete without them. We receive fantastic support from the Royal Navy who have attended every show since the inaugural event in 2008 and I’m delighted that they will be with us again this year, subject to operational duties. The Royal Navy attendance guarantees another exciting element to the event.”

Further details on the 2019 Barclays Jersey Boat Show can be viewed online at jerseyboatshow.com – Updates are also available via Facebook and Twitter.