During her visit to the Collins Stewart London Boat Show Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited some of the show’s main attractions yesterday including The BMW Oracle America’s Cup stand, Weymouth and Portland Academy and the Cowes-based watersports centre UKSA.

As Patron of UKSA Her Royal Highness was interested to learn about the stand’s activities designed to inspire young people and educate them about maritime career opportunities.

During her visit, pupils from two local schools – West Ham Church of England Primary School and the London Academy – took part in the UKSA Deck Games enabling them to get ‘hands on’ and learn new skills in the sail hoist, spot the difference competition, dinghy rigging race, knot activities and Concept 2 rowing machines. West Ham Primary School pupils were also there gathering information from the show as part of a media and art project,

Her Royal Highness commented on the good level of activity on the stand and the range of fun activities available. She also discussed with Ely the increasing opportunities that exist for young people in the marine industry.

Also, in her role as President of the Royal Yachting Association, The Princess Royal visited the BMF/RYA stand where she presented the RYA Yacht Master of the Year Award to Dr Philip Meakins, a GP in Southampton. Yachtmaster examiner Nigel Rennie praised Dr Meakins saying: “His passage planning was meticulous and logically presented, his close quarter boathandling under power and sail was faultless.”