boatcare launches EcoMarine division

boatcare, the national boat maintenance company founded by UK boating business, boatfolk, proudly launches its sustainability division – EcoMarine. The new division was officially launched at Southampton International Boat Show.

Designed to offer boaters a low-impact complete vessel upgrade and modernisation service, EcoMarine will provide sustainable and environmentally conscious options for all areas of boat repair, refit and care. It will focus on four key areas to promote environmental responsibility across the sector, including:

• Coatings – Using environmentally-friendly products like Coppercoat.
• Power – Partnering with leading brands such as Ecobat, MG Energy, Vitron Energy and Fischer Panda to provide sustainable power solutions.
• Propulsion – Collaborating with innovators like Oceanvolt to offer green propulsion systems.
• Waste – Implementing effective waste management practices, with support from Halyard’s Wave International Filtration Systems and Ecobat battery recycling services.

The launch of EcoMarine follows British Marine’s recent announcement prioritising decarbonisation over the next five years, and puts boatfolk and its trusted partners at the forefront of this movement, showcasing their shared commitment to a sustainable future for the marine industry.

Michael Prideaux, Managing Director of boatfolk said: “At boatfolk, sustainability is at the core of our values, and we are dedicated to promoting boating in a low-impact, environmentally responsible way. As more boat owners become conscious of their environmental impact, we are committed to helping the boating community to make conscious decisions about the products and services they use. By incorporating environmental awareness into every aspect of our operations, we ensure our customers have access to the best sustainable products available.

“We’re proud to see Boatcare partner with leading brands like Oceanvolt to offer high-quality, environmentally-conscious solutions. As the UK’s leading authorised applicator of Coppercoat, our expert team and state-of-the-art facilities—capable of lifting vessels up to 50 tonnes and 18 meters—are well-equipped to drive this eco-friendly approach to marine refit and maintenance, supporting our customers on their journey toward more sustainable boating.”

As part of the new EcoMarine strategy, boatfolk will integrate with key partners to deliver state-of-the-art innovation into its boatcare operations, including electric propulsion and hydrogeneration systems, energy storage and control systems from one of the global leaders in marine propulsion, Oceanvolt. This will provide boat owners with more sustainable and efficient power delivery solutions. 

Alec Von Weissenberg, Commercial Director for Oceanvolt, adds, “We are thrilled to join forces with boatfolk to introduce our advanced electric propulsion and hydrogeneration systems to their customers. Our partnership will allow boat owners to experience firsthand the benefits of our technology, including reduced environmental impact, lower maintenance costs and quieter operation. Together, we aim to make sustainable boating more accessible and widespread around the world.”

Portland Marina in Dorset, UK, will be the first to establish EcoMarine, leveraging its extensive repair and refit facilities, including undercover storage, marine engineering, GRP repairs and marine electrical services.

EcoMarine will officially launch on 18 September 2024, at the Southampton International Boat Show, which runs from 13-22 September 2024, at the Mayflower Park in Southampton, UK. Visitors to the show can meet with the boatfolk, boatcare and Oceanvolt team to discuss the initiative and find out more.

For further information about boatfolk, visit www.boatfolk.co.uk.