Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour honoured for protecting the environment

Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour has been awarded International Clean Marina status by the Yacht Harbour Association (YHA) in recognition of its efforts to protect the environment.

The YHA takes several factors into account when deciding which sites should receive the newly-created accolade.

These include the correct management of any hazardous waste, the use of sustainable products, and the prevention of plastic pollution.

Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour is on the Beaulieu River, which is owned by the Montagu family (Image: Beaulieu Estate)

Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour is on the Beaulieu River, which has been owned by the Montagu family for 400 years.

The Beaulieu Estate works closely with environmental agencies to maintain the river's natural charm, ensuring habitats and species are protected.

READ MORE: Buckler's Hard: New-look yacht harbour wins top award

An estate spokesperson said: "It's of vital importance to the marina that they continuously strive to improve the sustainability of their daily operations.

"Staff are trained to respond to oil spills and have additional training in waste management.

"A free-of-charge pump-out facility is available to berth holders and visitors alike, plus the marina agreement ensures berth holders do not discharge into the river and its surrounding waters.

"Pontoons are inspected annually and cleaned regularly along with monthly monitoring to ensure pollution of the watercourse does not occur.

"The marina is working to eliminate its use of single-use plastics, and on-site caterers are also encouraged to support the team with this approach. In addition, all boat owners are encouraged to use environmentally-friendly products whilst on site."

READ MORE: Buckler's Hard stars in new TV adaptation of Great Expectations

Buckler's Hard was a shipbuilding centre in the 18th and 19th centuries (Image: Newsquest.)

Harbour Master Wendy Stowe added: "We are delighted to be one of the first marinas assessed and awarded the International Clean Marina accreditation.

"The protection of the river’s environment is still the most important consideration, and the whole marina team work hard to maintain our high standards of sustainability and environmentally friendly practises."

As reported in the Daily Echo, the yacht harbour was named Marina of the Year in the British Yachting Awards 2022.

Buckler's Hard used to be home to the legendary Gipsy Moth IV (Image: Newsquest.)

Buckler’s Hard is a former shipbuilding centre that produced some of the vessels that fought at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

During the Second World War it was used to build motor torpedo boats, while the river itself became a base for hundreds of craft waiting to take part in the D-Day landings.

Buckler’s Hard was also the home port of round-the-world sailor Sir Francis Chichester, who circumnavigated the globe in 1967.

Part of the latest TV version of Great Expectations was filmed in the village.