One Year of MRS’s Mega Mast Shed

Space is hard to come by, let alone a space suitable for the range of works Marine Rigging Services find themselves specialising in. From the back garden shed of Chris Noble’s company Rigging Works, and the small ex-canteen space occupied by Will Jackson’s Racetec Rigging, the upgrade to a literal train station has been a story of hard work and imagination (crossed with some guts too!). In January 2022, the decision was made to take on the old train station within Victoria Quay in Gosport; a location brimming with history accompanied by the practical nature of the site. 
Our location in Gosport gives us a prime position with easy access to the Solent and easy reach to the racing outside of Cowes. We have direct travel links from the A27 by car, and Portsmouth harbour station by rail. Surrounded by several marinas and other amenities, like Gunwharf quays, we really are in the hub of it all.
 
Victoria Quay was previously part owned by the British navy and used as a storage and trading post for the import of multiple goods including sugar and the production of Navy Rum, most relevant to the history of sailing. Although abandoned and derelict, The Rum store still stands on Jamaica Road, leading to Brew House Square, both still signposted, with these old roads now being the dry storage areas for the boats of VQ.  
 
The Pier which has been photographed many times with our clients’ boats alongside, was her majesty’s landing place for the trading ships. The MRS workshop itself was once part of the much longer Royal Clarence Train Station for the trade link to London and used by Queen Victoria to access Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Her coffin passed through this building on its final return to London following her death in 1901. Being in such a great spot and offering so much space, it’s unsurprising that the station has seen a variety of businesses come and go over the years. In early 2022 MRS was born, and the transformation of the station began. Construction within the 40m long shed was broken down into an; isolated and insulated 20m long textile production workshop with 8m long powered pull bench to load up to 12 tonnes. An office area was also created for the team to work in peace away from the busy workshop and create an area to discuss projects with client. It’s here we have kept an old feature of the historic station - beautiful, exposed brick work. 
 
All the luxuries employees and visiting teams could need were also installed; a large kitchen, dining area (with a never-ending supply of coffee and beer) and a wet shower room to name just a couple.
 
It’s not only the workshop that has received some TLC. Victoria Quay installed a new deep water travel hoist quay allowing us to lift deep draft cruising and racing yachts using the 75T boat hoist. This sits nicely alongside our deep-water berthing pontoon, 50T boat transported and copious hard standing for boat storage, repairs and maintenance. Another exciting addition to have right outside our doors, further expanding our already world-class facility offering
 

More recent developments, include a mezzanine to facilitate the developing web shop with our 3D printing facility underneath, both of which have grown at an exponential rate over the past few months. We also have a new 18 x 8 x 6m tent with lifting capabilities within for undercover boat storage and works. Built for the RC44, we in addition to the tent have access to a 14m long spray booth for cruiser and race boats, as well as a composite specific workshop container to really cover all elements of marine maintenance.
 
After a whirlwind first year, we have fast become one of the leading yachting (both race and leisure) services hubs on the South coast attracting a host of global clients, and are sure it won’t stop here! Back soon with our next update…

 

Check out out gallery, from the start to where we are at now...