princess yachts turnchapel

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Turnchapel Wharf

A 14 acre Commercial Waterfront Business Park in Plymouth, Devon. Home to a growing number of local, national and international marine businesses.

Providing waterfront premises for a range of leading marine businesses

Few places in Europe can rival Plymouth for its rich cultural, natural and marine assets. The spectacular waterfront city has ambitious plans for growth, offering exciting opportunities for businesses operating in the South West.

At the heart of this is Turnchapel Wharf - a 14 acre business park on the Cattewater in east Plymouth. Previously a Ministry of Defence site, Turnchapel Wharf has undergone a major transformation into a modern, thriving space providing waterfront offices, workshops and warehouses for a wide range of marine companies.

30,000 sqft

10,000 sqft.

We offer modern, secure facilities for businesses including offices, workshops, classrooms, storage and marine services.

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Turnchapel Wharf is home to a growing network of businesses from local to international firms, from SMEs to industry leaders.

Latest News

Searegs begin USV Operation courses

Marine training provider have begun offering USV Operation courses tailored for skippers and mates of manned small commercial vessels, as well as owners, operators, and harbour authorities

Navies eye self-driving boats for ‘dull, dirty and dangerous’ jobs at sea

The Times: BAE Systems and Thales are piloting autonomous craft off the coast of Britain for missions such as patrols, surveillance and mine hunting.

Robot ships: Huge remote controlled vessels are setting sail

BBC News: It sounds like science fiction. Ocean-going ships with no-one on board. But this vision of the future is coming - and sooner than you might think.

Delegates pay tribute to Turnchapel Wharf's development

UK Government and local officials recently visited Turnchapel Wharf and commented on the site's transformation and cutting edge work on-site.

How Plymouth yacht company Aquamare Marine conquered Florida

From growing its workforce to expanding its global offering, real success is now on the horizon for Turnchapel Wharf-based Aquamare Marine.

Fugro USV gets MCA approval

Fugro has expanded its 12-metre Blue Essence® uncrewed surface vessel (USV) fleet with the addition of Fugro Vaquita.

Fugro expand their USV development

Fugro has announced it has reached a binding agreement for the acquisition of the remaining shares in SEA-KIT International, a long-standing partner in the development of hi-tech uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for low carbon emission maritime operations and research.

SeaRegs to purchase new USV

Marine training operator SeaRegs purchase a new uncrewed surface vessel to be based at their Turnchapel Wharf facility.

Hydrogen vessel set for trials

Testing for a revolutionary, autonomous, hydrogen-powered vessel is due to take place at Turnchapel Wharf in 2024.

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Businesses at turnchapel wharf.

"Few places can rival Plymouth for its rich natural and marine assets, making it the perfect place for marine enterprise. I look forward to welcoming you to Turnchapel Wharf and showing you what facilities we have on offer."

- Ryan Bonney, Site Manager

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• Haven Quay, Lymington
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• Jachthaven Biesbosch

Turnchapel Wharf is now Mayflower Autonomous Ship’s homeport

Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth has become the epicenter for marine autonomy in the UK with pioneering technology being developed, launched, and trailed from the waterfront site in Plymouth.

A former Ministry of Defence site, Turnchapel Wharf is now home to a wide range of commercial marine businesses including a growing number of marine autonomy specialists. With the capacity to safely lift and launch autonomous vessels, modern offices, deepwater berthing, and quick access to Plymouth Sound and beyond, Turnchapel Wharf is an attractive location for marine businesses to test and trial their latest projects.

“We’re delighted to be supporting ProMare and the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS). Like many others, we’ve been closely monitoring the development of the project for many months and we are honoured that Turnchapel Wharf will be playing a supporting role for the mission. Turnchapel Wharf is now the vessel's homeport and we’re excited to see this revolutionary project develop over the coming months, as well as providing launching facilities when testing afloat is required,” says Ryan Bonney, Manager at Turnchapel Wharf.

About the Mayflower Autonomous Ship

The MAS is an AI and solar powered marine research vessel which will traverse oceans and collect vital environmental date. Built by ocean research non-profit firm ProMare and IBM, the ship is in the final phase of build before an autonomous, cross-Atlantic venture in early 2020.

Designed to provide a safe, flexible and cost-effective way of gathering data about the ocean, the new-generation Mayflower promises to transform oceanography by working in tandem with scientists to understand critical issues such as global warming, micro-plastic pollution and marine mammal conservation.

Learn more:

• Mayflower Autonomous Vessel -  mas400.com
• ProMare -  promare.org
• IBM -  newsroom.ibm.com/then-and-now
• Turnchapel Wharf -   Turnchapelwharf.com

Launch of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship - Coming Soon to an Ocean Near You

About Turnchapel Wharf

Turnchapel Wharf is a waterfront business park in Plymouth, Devon, offering a premium location for local, national and international marine businesses. 

The 6 hectare (14 acre) site is the former home to 539 Royal Marines Assault Squadron. Since 2014 under the ownership of Yacht Havens Group, the site has undergone a major transformation into a modern, thriving business park occupied by leading international marine companies including Thales, Fugro and Princess Motor Yacht Sales.

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Meet the Team – John Wyatt at Turnchapel, Plymouth, UK

Wednesday 18th January 2023

Princess Motor Yacht Sales has 13 offices across the UK and Europe.  The Plymouth office and showroom, based in Turnchapel Wharf on the waterfront, is a former Royal Marines military installation steeped in naval history.  The quaint village of Turnchapel on the beautiful Devon coastline is situated just across the water from the brand home of Princess Yachts’ head office, factory and shipyard.  Princess Motor Yacht Sales Plymouth has its own pontoons and access to a slipway and hoist with plenty of land to undertake works on boats on chocks.

The friendly team of over 30 Princess-trained staff specialise in retrofit, refurbishment, service and maintenance along with new and pre-used boat sales, brokerage, marketing and events.  My Princess magazine spoke to one of their sea trial skippers to find out what makes him tick.

• Name – Jon Wyatt
• Job title – PDI Skipper (Pre-Despatch Inspection)
• Office – Princess Motor Yacht Sales Plymouth

How long have you worked for Princess Motor Yacht Sales in Plymouth and what do you do there?

‘I’m a skipper, so I drive the Princess yachts during sea trials when we are testing them, checking systems and all elements of safety at sea.  I also help prepare the paperwork following the sea trials, like a general auditor.  I’ve also just started doing owner handovers including orientation, systems updates and general cruising guidance.  I joined in December 2021.’

Before joining Princess, what did you do career-wise?

‘I worked on superyachts, initially on yacht deliveries working my way up from deck hand to boson and watch-keeper and I worked offshore for 2 years.  I had an amazing time travelling but I just felt it was time to come home for a better work life balance – and I got married last year.’

What’s the best part of your job?

‘I get to drive boats for a living and I’m based at home here in Plymouth!  I enjoy being out on the water even though the winters are a bit tougher and the sea conditions can be challenging, it’s still worth it.’

Do you have a favourite yacht and why?

‘It has to be the Princess X95, she’s such a stunning yacht with incredible internal space.  I was lucky enough to help the skipper on slot 1 when I was freelancing.  We cruised the south coast of Devon up to Salcombe and as she is such a departure from the rest of the ranges, she turned heads!  My other favourite is M/Y Talitha.  I lived aboard for 2 years so she was my home and she has a great owner and crew.  Being a 1929 yacht, she has some beautiful classic styling.’

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve encountered here at Princess in Plymouth?

‘We have some pretty awesome wildlife here in Plymouth Sound and I’ve spotted dolphins and tuna whilst out on sea trials.  And I even saw a Porbeagle shark towards the Eddystone Lighthouse when I was out fishing.’

How do you enjoy your spare time?

‘In the summer I love watersports – paddle-boarding, windsurfing, diving and taking our little motor boat out for a spin, but I’d also love to try a wing sail.’

What’s your favourite spot around the south west?

‘Well, we keep our Dory at Wembury and head out to the Mewstone which is lovely.  We also enjoy North Sands in Salcombe and taking the campervan down to Cornwall for weekends – and the dog comes with us! We’re so lucky to have all of Devon and Cornwall on our doorstep.’

Some of the Princess Motor Yacht Sales team during the summer of 2022.

If you’d like to find out more about joining the Princess Motor Yacht Sales team in Turnchapel, Plymouth, then follow the LinkedIn social media page and check the recruitment webpage .

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Plymouth boat fitter working for Princess Yachts falls into administration with debts of £500k

Yacht Solutions Worldwide Ltd sold its assets to new company Yacht Solutions Europe Ltd in a pre-pack deal. but debts remain

• 05:00, 30 DEC 2022

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Debts amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds are likely to remain unpaid after a Plymouth boat refit company set up by two former Princess Yachts employees fell into administration, it can be revealed. Turnchapel-based Yacht Solutions Worldwide Ltd has been in the hands of administrators for more than 18 months after struggling through the Covid pandemic and being saddled with a huge tax bill, leaving insolvency practitioners sorting through more than £500,000 of claims.

The insolvency has been extended until April 2023 but the outlook for unsecured creditors already looks bleak with administrators saying there is unlikely to be enough cash to pay them anything. However, Yacht Solutions Worldwide sold its entire assets and business to a new company, Yacht Solutions Europe Ltd, in a pre-pack deal.

The new company is run by the same directors, Paul Eccles and David Watson, who admitted to making mistakes running Yacht Solutions Worldwide, and also trades from Turnchapel Wharf. Pre-pack deals are legal and the administrators said it was the best solution for creditors as the assets were sold for £60,000, which was more than a going concern sale or liquidation would have realised.

Nevertheless, debts are likely to remain unpaid. Already claims of £184,062 have come in from six unsecured creditors, and it is possible that another 23 will submit claims for a total of £69,542.

Among unsecured claims NatWest bank is seeking £12,244 and among Plymouth businesses listed as owed cash are Elec Marine, owed £2,019, and Turnchapel Wharf Ltd, asking for £1,363. A recently filed report from administrator Steven Henson, at Newton Abbot’s Castle Hill Insolvency Ltd, said: “I do not anticipate that a dividend will be available for unsecured creditors.”

Documents filed at Companies House revealed assets of £108,300 were actually available. But the administrators said only preferential creditors are likely to get anything.

HM Revenue and Customs is claiming £203,061 in unpaid VAT and income tax, with £138,245 of this as a preferential creditor. It is also claiming £30,752 as an unsecured creditor. So it is unlikely to receive all of what it is owed. In addition to the unsecured claims Barclays Bank is due £90,574 as a secured creditor but is likely to be paid just £17,500.

Documents filed at Companies House reveal the entire saga of how Yacht Solutions Worldwide hit the skids, and how Yacht Solutions Europe was able to take over and why its directors are confident it won’t go the same way. The administrators’ statement of proposals revealed Yacht Solutions Worldwide was incorporated in April 2018 after Mr Eccles and Mr Watson left Princess Yachts, which nevertheless continued to provide most of its work.

Yacht Solutions Worldwide specialised in retrofit of yachts in this country and internationally. But it found itself in financial difficulties with a “significant debt” owed to HM Revenue and Customs.

The report said: “While the business and customers need for work to be continued, the Covid-19 pandemic hindered the ability to undertake this work for a number of reasons, resulting in reduced income.” It said the company struggled to obtain materials on time, that staff went off sick or could not turn up for work due to Covid restrictions and travel restrictions hit it too.

The company received a CBILS loan for £110,000 in November 2020. The report said: “While the income supported short-term cash flow, the ability to agree and acceptable repayment with HMRC, as well as securing the business going forward financially, became untenable.”

It said the directors thought insolvency was unavoidable, and although a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) was favoured it was deemed to be unworkable “given the position of the HMRC” and because there would not have been enough cash to pay a “reasonable dividend”.

A creditors’ voluntary liquidation was also considered but rejected and “to achieve the best return for creditors” a going concern sale was settled on. Because there wasn’t enough money to continue trading, including significant staff costs, the directors went for the “pre-pack” style liquidation.

It was estimated the pre-pack sale would bring in £60,000, which was more than realised by a going concern sale or liquidation. The purchaser bought the assets with the exception of debtors and cash at the bank.

It was reported that two offers had been made for the company and the one accepted was 33% higher than the alternative. As the company had insufficient property to enable anything to be paid to unsecured creditors, the administrator did not need them to agree to this course of action.

Yacht Solutions Ltd produced a viability statement in April 2021, signed by Mr Watson and Mr Eccles, which said: “As business owners, mistakes were made, and bad advice received in the previous company which will not be repeated again.”

But they said they were confident the new company would be a success because it had strong contracts with Princess Yachts and was diversifying the business. It said: “Our reliance on Princess is reducing.” It also said professional accountancy and financial help had been secured and that: “The demand in the industry is high”.

In April 2021 Mr Eccles and Mr Watson gave creditors notice they intended for the trading name Yacht Solutions to be adopted by Yacht Solutions Europe, of which they were also directors. Yacht Solutions Europe was incorporated in January 2021. Accounts for its first year showed assets of £10,705.

The Yacht Solutions website said it has a team of 18 highly-skilled technicians. It said: “We work very closely to the (Princess Yachts) factory supporting all the trades for the aftersales and retrofit departments both locally and internationally.

“We have a very knowledgeable team with many years experience of yacht construction across a very wide range of boat models. Our newly opened premises has a fully fitted workshop, spray booth, upholstery shop, store room and offices, this is where we will be offering our wide range of services, from large retrofit works, repairs, PDI’s, ceramic coatings and much more.”

The website also said: “We are also in talks with setting up the business in other countries giving us the scope to assist all areas of the globe.” PlymouthLive has contacted Yacht Solutions Europe but not received a reply at the time of writing.

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Chris-Craft Turnchapel Open Evening – Postponed Until Further Notice

Monday 16th December 2019

Following our 2019 appointment as Chris-Craft distributors in the UK, we are excited to bring this beautiful craft to our Turnchapel office in Plymouth this summer. 

As well as touring a few destinations in the South West, we are also planning to host an open evening at our Turnchapel facility where we will have Princess yachts and Chris-Craft on display for our local customers and owners to come along and see. There will be complimentary food and drink available, with members of our team there to welcome you to an informal evening of socialising with the opportunity to step on board.

More information coming soon. If you would like to register your interest for this event email [email protected] or call our Plymouth office on 01752 600657

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