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A message from the
Chairman of Haven Gateway Partnership
We
at the Haven Gateway Partnership are delighted to be sponsoring the
Felixstowe Regatta 2008.
The marine leisure industry is of huge importance
to this area and with our closeness to the continent, our historic
links to the sea, our stunning rivers, estuaries and coastline, and
our strong traditions in boatbuilding, it is easy to see why we are
so popular with the yachting and wider leisure craft community.
The
Haven Gateway is the UK's second largest area for yachting, with
more than 10,000 berths or moorings, and the many yachts and
pleasure craft dotted about our rivers, estuaries and coastline make
a familiar and picturesque scene. But it is also important to recognise the major contribution that marine leisure activities make
to the sub-region's economy. Over 1,800 people are employed in our
marine leisure sector and our research has shown that the industry
generates at least £85 million a year in the Haven Gateway. That
includes famous boatbuilders such as Fairline, Spirit Yachts and
Oyster Marine, as well as top-class marinas, yacht brokers, marine
engineering firms, chandlers, yacht clubs and supporting tourist
services.
The
Haven Gateway is one of the fastest growing regions in the UK, and
we have recently been granted "Growth Point" status by the
government, bringing the promise of extra funding to support our
development. At the same time, the European Commission has formally recognised us as a centre of maritime excellence, based around our
world-class ports, shipping, transport and logistics activities. As
well as our commercial ports, the Haven Gateway is committed to
supporting and balancing the needs of all leisure users of our
waters - from small-budget sailors to multi-million pound superyachts!
We
are working hard to encourage and promote the leisure sector: as its
own area of maritime excellence, and
to
help ensure that the skills are available to sustain it and to serve
the needs of all who use our waters. |
