2025 was quite an eventful year for the charity. We welcomed several new members to the Solent Dolphin team and appointed two new skippers. Volunteer numbers were good but we are always on the lookout for new volunteers to crew the Alison McGregor!
The new online booking system has worked very well this year with something in the order of 95% of all bookings being made this way. For those who are unable or unwilling to use the online system telephone bookings are still available.
Pre-season crew training began following a slight delay due to the Hythe Marina lock gates’ control system being modified in March. This inevitably caused some teething problems until the new system bedded in. Nevertheless we did commence passenger trips on 1st May as planned, providing a full service of two trips per day, seven days per week in May and September and three trips per day in June, July and August.
Unfortunately the problems with the gates developed over the first part of the season resulting in the marina being closed to larger vessels for several days in July for mechanical repairs to be carried out. As a consequence Solent Dolphin had to suspend service until full access to the marina had been restored. Happily the second half of the season proceeded without further problems. The Board is however considering contingency plans in case we encounter future problems with access to our regular berth.
Further challenges were encountered when one of the Alison McGregor’s engines started to burn lubricating oil and had to be run at below optimum power for the rest of the season. Our skippers managed the situation excellently and we completed the season without any discernible reduction in our customary level of service.
In October the marine engineers inspected the engines and submitted a full report. The Board decided that since the old engines were near end-of-life anyway, the best solution would be to refit with new engines and work began on the refit as soon as the boat was taken out of the water in October. This offered the opportunity to carry out other strategic maintenance tasks that would not otherwise have been possible. Special thanks go to our Bosun, Nick Jeffery, who has devoted considerable effort to resolve the engine situation. We are now confident that the boat will be fully operational and ready to go in time for the 2026 season.
2025 finally saw service levels back to normal after Covid but the numbers of trips and passengers were slightly down on 2024 due to the enforced cancellations caused by the early season faults on the lock gates. The final figures were 318 trips carrying 3033 passengers. We are grateful to our passengers and their organisations for the many positive comments we have received during the year. We are always aiming to give good service and appreciate your feedback to help us gauge how we are doing, and make improvements.
Finally, we thank all our donors for their generous donations throughout the year. We are entirely funded by charitable donation and are extremely grateful for your support. We also give thanks to our volunteers for your flexibility and commitment without whose dedication this charity could not function. And a big thank you to Associated British Ports and MDL Marinas for their support with berthing facilities.
