LOCHIN MARINE INTERNATIONAL Ltd design and build fast ‘offshore’ commercial and leisure craft celebrating more than 40 years of continuous production.
Owned and managed by Simon J. Thomas, the Company is based on the River Ouse in Newhaven, East Sussex (South Coast UK). LOCHIN provide boatyard services to the area with undercover repair facilities, moorings and storage for vessels up to 45ft LOA and a lifting capability up to 14 tonnes. A dedicated brokerage service is marketed under the banner of SIMON THOMAS YACHT SALES specialising in the sale of second-hand vessels (sail and power) but with an emphasis on fast ‘offshore’ craft similar to those manufactured by LOCHIN. This service includes a range of commercial vessels and the Company regularly manages disposals for government organisations and commercial operators.
Understanding the basic principles of weight distribution, propeller law and the harnessing of available power were pivotal to creating an efficient and functional hull design. These fundamentals were quickly identified as essential considerations and established an ethos that is rigorously followed today. The introduction of more powerful marine engines and the thinking behind the harnessing of that power effectively was to transform the industry and LOCHIN can boast a significant contribution to this construction philosophy.
In the 1980’s, the R.N.L.I. chose the Lochin 33 as the basis for the ‘Brede Class’ Lifeboat and these craft served them well for almost 20 years. Latterly the same craft were adopted by the South African equivalent of the R.N.L.I. known as the National Sea Rescue Institute (N.S.R.I.) continuing in service as fully fledged ‘offshore’ lifeboats. Such was LOCHIN’s reputation that many commercial derivatives were built for pilot’s, police patrol craft and passenger carriers as well as many charter and leisure vessels. With the introduction of the LOCHIN 38 in the 1980’s, the range was further extended and firmly established LOCHIN in the commercial sector. Indeed, such was its success that the Bahama’s Air Sea Rescue Agency (B.A.S.R.A). and other rescue organisations ordered bespoke life boats all of which are still in service today.
Since acquiring the Company in the 1990’s, Simon Thomas, together with nominated Naval Architects, Amgram Ltd, have developed and refined all the designs to broaden their appeal and embrace modern design philosophy. This included the introduction of the LOCHIN 40 as a development of the LOCHIN 38. The introduction of the LOCHIN 333 in 1996 and LOCHIN 366 in 2000 was an ideal opportunity to introduce a modern approach to construction techniques with four designs coming from one set of mould tooling. The development of ‘flexible’ tooling techniques are, we think, unique to the industry and has enabled LOCHIN to bespoke build without exaggerated cost. The Company has however, never lost sight of the core values – uncompromising quality of construction, sympathetic hull lines and above all a sea kindly nature. These have always been and will continue to be mainstay priorities.
Lochin Marine International Limited • The Boatyard • Robinson Road • Newhaven • East Sussex BN9 9BL • UK
