Boatyard Operative

Boatyard Operations Manager at Victoria Quay

Company Description

Victoria Quay is located at Royal Clarence Yard in Gosport, Hampshire and has a long maritime history. At one point the site stored the entire Royal Navy’s rum supplies and the store can still be seen today after it survived bombing in WW2. It is also home to a significant section of Queen Victoria’s railway station, which she travelled to before boarding her yacht to visit the Isle of Wight for her summer holiday.

Investment is now underway for significant regeneration of the site in order to develop it into a marine service centre for the local industry and provide state‑of‑the‑art marine facilities and services. The site includes deep‑water berthing, a 75‑ton boat hoist and dock, a slipway, and a generous 6‑acre hard standing area. Additionally, it features commercial units, workshops, and specialist marine servicing facilities.

Victoria Quay is a hub for maritime activities, offering comprehensive support for a wide array of marine operations.

Boatyard Operative

Company: UK Docks Royal Clarence Yard Ltd

Location: Victoria Quay, Royal Clarence Yard, Gosport, PO12 1AX

Job Type: Full‑time / Permanent

Hours: 39 hours per week, occasional out‑of‑hours work

Reporting to: Boatyard Operations Manager / Boatyard Supervisor

About the Role: UK Docks Royal Clarence Yard Ltd is seeking a Boatyard Operative to join our professional team at Victoria Quay. This is a varied, hands‑on role supporting the safe, efficient, and well‑presented operation of our boatyard.

Working within a structured operational environment, you will contribute to vessel handling activities, machinery operation, site maintenance, and customer service, while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and professionalism.

• Assist with the lifting, launching, recovery, berthing, and manoeuvring of vessels
• Support the safe storage of vessels ashore using cradles and boat transporters
• Carry out high‑pressure washing, preparation, and positioning of boats
• Assist with towing boats and pontoon movements where required

• Operate boat hoists, mobile cranes, boat transporters, forklifts, and tow boat
• Carry out daily checks and basic maintenance of boatyard machinery
• Report defects, faults, or safety concerns promptly

• Carry out routine maintenance of pontoons, walkways, storage areas, buildings, and public spaces
• Ensure the boatyard is kept clean, tidy, and well‑presented at all times
• Support seasonal preparations and site improvements

• Provide a friendly, professional, and helpful service to customers, visitors, and contractors
• Act as a visible presence within the boatyard, offering assistance when needed
• Work collaboratively with boatyard and UK Docks colleagues
• Demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and the ability to work independently during quieter periods

• Use computer systems to log jobs, incidents, maintenance tasks, and vessel movements
• Report daily activities and issues to the Boatyard Supervisor / Boatyard Operations Manager
• Maintain accurate records in line with company procedures

• Experience in a boatyard, marina, shipyard, or marine leisure environment
• A positive, reliable, and safety‑conscious approach to work
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions