HRH The Princess Royal Launches New Hardy 45 European and Opens the Cockwells Training Academy
Davis Marine Brokerage congratulates our partners at Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding — the award-winning Cornish boatbuilder and part of the Pendennis Group — on a truly special occasion: a royal visit from HRH The Princess Royal, who officially launched the all-new Hardy 45 European and opened the brand-new Cockwells Training Academy at their South West Shipyard at Ponsharden on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
Cockwells welcomed Her Royal Highness with a tour of their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, showcasing the craftsmanship and innovation behind their renowned Duchy Motor Launches and Hardy Motor Yachts. The first stop was the Moulding Shed, where the team explained to Her Royal Highness, the moulding process, which involves gelling the boat mould and adding layers of fibreglass according to the design’s surface area and hull thickness. They also described the various departments and how the production process is managed.
A standout moment was the ceremonial unveiling of the Cockwells Training Academy — a new initiative developed in partnership with the Cornwall Marine Network. This academy offers a comprehensive four-year training program to prepare young talent in Cornwall for rewarding careers in the marine sector. Her Royal Highness personally met with apprentices, taking the time to learn where they had come from, their routes into the boatbuilding apprenticeship, and their future ambitions.
Then came the Boat Assembly Area, where the team invited The Princess Royal to view a brand-new Duchy 35 — an award-winning model in the company’s popular Duchy Motor Launches range. Her Royal Highness was then invited to unveil a plaque, draped with a Cornish flag, to officially open the Cockwells Training Academy.
The visit concluded with a traditional maritime blessing of the Hardy 45 European, as HRH poured a bottle of Cornish Camel Valley champagne over the bow to officially launch this exciting new model. As she did so, The Princess Royal wished Cockwells well for the future. The ceremony was a celebration of Cockwells’ proud heritage, forward-thinking innovation, and continued investment in both local talent and British boatbuilding excellence.
Founder and Sales Director Dave Cockwell summed up the day perfectly:
“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.
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.”
We at Davis Marine Brokerage are thrilled to see such recognition for one of Britain’s most respected boatbuilders and can’t wait to see the Hardy 45 European out on the water.
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