North Sea Yacht Races bring international visitors to ABP’s Ipswich Beacon Marina

Yachts at ABP's Ipswich Beacon Marina

Between Thursday 18 May and Saturday 20 May 2023, ABP's Ipswich Beacon Marina welcomed 50 vessels from Holland, and an additional 15 vessels from the UK for rest between two North Sea yacht races - the Vuurschepen Race and the famous RORC North Sea Race - which form part of the North Sea Regatta.

The two challenging races, which ran between Tuesday 16 May and Sunday 21 May, sail between Scheveningen Yacht Club in the Netherlands and the Royal Harwich Yacht Club.

The majority of the vessels that stopped over at Ipswich Beacon Marina used it as a base to rest and recuperate after the gruelling Vurrschepen Race, which is approximately 120 nautical miles race across the North Seas from Scheveningen to Harwich. This was before making the return home. Several of the yachts, however, departed on the Friday to join the RORC North Sea Race, which is a route that covers almost 200 nautical miles back from Harwich to Scheveningen.

Situated at the head of the River Orwell, the marina is equipped with a host of facilities to service customers, including washing and laundry facilities, as well as a boatyard and fuel supply services, and provided the ideal location for competitors in the races to rest and refuel.

Andrew Harston, Regional Director, Wales and Short Sea Ports, ABP said:

"ABP is proud that the Ipswich Beacon Marina continues to draw racing competitors, as well as other yachting enthusiasts and tourists from across the globe to stay at our marina, which is sheltered, well-located with excellent access to Ipswich Waterfront and the town, and makes it an ideal location to rest after a gruelling race across the testing North Sea.

"This was the busiest weekend of the year for the marina, and we're looking forward to many more to come over the summer as we continue to host popular maritime events including the popular Dragon Boat Race on Saturday 3 June and the Old Gaffers Association's (OGA) Diamond Jubilee Celebrations from 2-6 August."