An exclusive crowd was invited to Mayflower Marina to see sailor and adventurer, Pete Goss MBE, open the marina’s new £2.5m facilities.

The grand opening follows huge investment into the marina which now boasts luxury bathroom facilities, an extended boatyard and car parking area, as well as a new office building and new boat hoist. 

Pete returned to the UK last month, after a deserved break in New Zealand. This followed his well documented voyage from Cornwall to Australia aboard the Spirit of Mystery. The 37ft Mounts Bay lugger followed in the wake of seven fearless Cornishmen who sought out a new life in the Australian gold rush 154 years ago.

Pete spoke about his adventures onboard Spirit of Mystery before ceremoniously raising bolt cutters and severing the metal chain which sectioned off the new facilities. A curtain was then pulled back to reveal a memorial plaque inscribed with details of the opening.

Charles Bush, Managing Director of Mayflower Marina, commented: “Today’s ceremony was a huge success and it was great that Pete Goss was able to open the new extension. Completion of this project concludes several years of significant investment in our facilities and we are really proud of what has been achieved. Mayflower Marina is a customer service business and we hope the new facilities enhance the experiences of berth holders and visiting yachtsmen alike. Plymouth is such a fantastic place to keep a boat – right in the middle of some of the best cruising waters in the UK and we want to encourage more boat owners to enjoy our marina and all that our location has to offer.”

Pete Goss MBE said: “I was honoured to have been asked to open these facilities by Mayflower Marina which has always been incredibly supportive of my adventures. Spirit of Mystery is one my proudest achievements and it was great to share my tales with the marina’s berth holders and their guests. I am sure this investment will prove worthwhile and entice many sailors to stay at the marina and see all that the beautiful West Country has to offer.”

Mayflower Marina is located within the city of Plymouth, overlooking the picturesque Mount Edgecumbe Country Park. With good facilities, high standards of customer care and value for money, the marina has become increasingly popular within the sailing community.