GRADUATES finally got a taste of the sea after completing an acclaimed boat building course which will set them up for a career in the industry.

Students from the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy finally launched their creations after starting their project back in March.

The crafted boats hit the water for the first time last week – but organisers do not believe the boats are the Academy’s most impressive achievement.

Tim Gedge, director of the Academy, said: “The aim is to teach people how to build boats – but the boats are the by-product of the training.

“To have a by-product as good as these boats just shows the hard work that has gone into putting these boats together.

“The Academy is now regarded as a major boat builder if you look at the material price of what the students have created. I’m extremely proud of what the graduates have produced.”

The students have completed the Academy’s full-time intensive ‘Boat Building, Maintenance and Support’ course – and have gained the practical skills and industry recognised level three qualification needed to work as a boat builder, restorer or repairer.

Some graduates will go on to work in the marine industry, with wood or composite boats – while some will return to their careers after a break learning practical skills.

The boats were built using traditional and modern construction techniques, including a traditional clinker Thames Skiff; stitch and glued outboard-powered Broome runabout; glued clinker Beg Meil design gaff-rigged dinghy; and a glued clinker Fleet Trow.

Yvonne Green, principal of the Academy, said: “The boats are also a beautiful addition to the students’ CVs.

“I’m extremely proud of what they have achieved and it’s a real family day of celebration with so many old students coming back to celebrate. But it’s also very sad because we have to say goodbye to them after putting in so much hard work and effort this year.

“We like to give our students a deadline of the launch day to prepare them for the working professional world when they will have to get things finished by a certain time. People come to the Academy because we are very successful at placing our graduates in jobs as the school has a highly-regarded reputation.”

Mayor of Lyme Regis Sally Holman said: “The Academy is about building boat builders and adding to that tradition in Lyme Regis.

“When the courses are attracting people from all over the country and all over the world, who come to Lyme with no woodworking skills at all, it just shows how incredible the teachers and training are.”