Four marine projects have been handed £10,000 of funding between them.

The Haven Academy, funded by boat insurers Haven Knox-Johnston and chaired by its eponymous round-the-world yachtsman, has donated the money to winners in restoration, innovation, conservation and boating environment categories.

Sir Robin said that the awards sought to encourage innovation rather than reward past success.

£3,000 was awarded to the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port to restore its Grade II-listed dry dock.

The museum’s collections manager, Peter Collins (pictured above collecting his cheque from Sir Robin), said: ‘This is a project that’s vital for Heritage Boatyard conservation and also for on-going training.

‘Funding has long been needed to survey the existing structure, repair the dry dock gates and renew the pumping facilities. Thanks to (this award) work can now progress.’

The Cheshire town’s sea cadets were also rewarded with £3,000 in the restoration category to repair and recondition their safety and training boat.

The other winners were the Dover Watersports Centre, which was awarded £3,000 in the boating environment category to fit a winch to transport boats up its beach, and Eric Beech, who has designed a yachting board game and won £1,000 for innovation.

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