Buckler’s Hard yacht harbour apprentice Oli Rickard passes final assessment with a top scoring merit

An apprentice at Buckler’s Hard yacht harbour has passed his final assessment with a top scoring merit – the first to do so.

Oli Rickard won the ViewHR Award for Apprentice of the Year New Forest last year and has now completed his apprenticeship in less than two years.

His assessor described Oli as an “impressive student with a deep knowledge and the skills necessary to operate at a high standard that was demonstrated at all times.”

He added: “He clearly loved his work and it shone through. He has clearly been trained very well by his peers and training provider.”

Oli (24) worked as a river hand before becoming the first apprentice to be taken on at Beaulieu River.

He was studying for his Level 2 Marina & Boatyard Operative qualification and has lifted over 200 boats of all sizes, while also handling mast, engine and emergency lifts since starting.

Harbour Master Wendy Stowe said: “The independent assessor from British Marine told me we should be really proud of Oli. We are so pleased that he passed with flying colours.”

Second apprentice George Dunsdon is now working towards the same qualification. The 21-year-old from Lymington also started work at the marina as a seasonal river hand.

Both apprentices are described as being “an asset to the team, as work is being completed on the £2m redevelopment of the yacht harbour boatshed”.

New waterfront offices, with panoramic views across the river, and workshops, will open in time for the summer season – offering opportunities for marine-based businesses to relocate to one of the most desirable marinas on the south coast.