A HAMPSHIRE marina's new hoist dock is complete after a 12-week construction programme.

Hamble Yacht Services' new hoist dock is now operational.

It accommodates the yard’s 80 tonne hoist and a second 40 tonne hoist and replaces the previous boat lifting dock which was consigned to history after 44 years in service at what is now one of the busiest boat lifting facilities in the UK.

The new structure, designed by Mayhew Callum Ltd, was built by Walcon Marine, who mobilised their full fleet of three 20 metre barges for the construction operation to move equipment and materials to the site.

The project involved dismantling the old steel structure and removing it by sea, and then driving 23 new piles into the seabed.

The new hoist dock top frame was pre-assembled at the Walcon waterside facility in Woolston and brought up the Hamble River by barge.

The barge crane lifted it into place and the Walcon team fixed it in position.

Twenty-four cubic metres of concrete were finally poured on to the runways used by the travel hoist.

“The construction work went very smoothly,” comments Robert Bicket of HYS. “We are delighted with the work carried out by Walcon, which finished on time and on budget.”

The new dock is part of a continuing programme of major improvements at HYS, since being taken over by the current owners early in 2015.

“Having a fully up to date hoist operation is vital to the company’s position as the leading site for the lifting and storage of large and small vessels on the Solent,” comments HYS yard manager Lee Pollack.

The hoist dock has the capacity to lift yachts up to 33.5m length, 7.3m beam and 5.5m draft. Both the hoists have also undergone complete servicing and refurbishment..