Grand Opening and 30th Anniversary Event

The museum’s 30th season has officially been launched by local yachting royalty. Double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson DL OBE and former America’s Cup training skipper Harold Cudmore were the guests of honour at the launch event, with around 150 people present. 2026 is set to be a big year for the museum, which is now on one site in the Medina Village having previously been in Cowes and East Cowes.

Chairman Michael Loftus told the gathering of the trustees’ desire to increase awareness of the museum, including a partnership with the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, welcoming back the historic royal Flying Fifteen, Coweslip, and initiating the Maritime Heritage Trail, as an integral part of the Cowes 200 celebrations.

He said, “We have just completed a grant-funded scoping study working with three top heritage consultants and a leading local surveyor to expand our activities on this site. The results of this study are overwhelmingly positive, and we will be working closely with local stakeholders and national funding bodies to achieve this. With its rich maritime heritage, the Island deserves a destination visitor attraction in Cowes, linking maritime heritage with maritime skills and jobs.