Iconic River Tees cruiser gets impressive new look
HOSPITALITY
Boat man – Nathan Hobday , who took over ownership of the Teesside Princess in May , has had to learn about the hospitality industry quickly .
Iconic River Tees cruiser gets impressive new look
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
A
revamped Teesside Princess is setting sail on a new era buoyed by a fresh new look .
For the past 28 years , the 25m-long , twin-engined vessel has taken thousands of people on relaxing 11-mile return cruises between Stockton ’ s Castlegate Quay and Yarm .
Since May , she ’ s been owned by Nathan Hobday , who operates several workboats from Teesport through his company Red Lion Marine .
Nathan has spent the past few months getting himself fully acquainted with the Princess , which has a carrying capacity of 100 and provides various ways to enjoy the cruising experience , including afternoon teas , party nights and themed events .
And now , having assessed her condition and what needs to be done , Nathan has plans to ensure she ’ s looking great and cruising along the Tees for many years to come .
As this edition of Tees Business is published , the Princess should be emerging from a week in dry dock near South Bank , where she was due to undergo a major
Revamped – an artist ’ s impression by Tom Marwood and Lauren Woods shows how the boat will look after its £ 30,000 refit .
FIT FOR A
PRINCESS
£ 30,000 refit ahead of the autumn and a coat of paint or an eye-catching vinyl . winter season .
Nathan explained : “ The older generation Among the work being carried out was that come on board for the afternoon a complete external repaint , complete with maybe aren ’ t so worried about the odd a “ wave ” vinyl logo , new external lighting bit of rust or a faded carpet , whereas and cladding , renewed handrails and the younger generation and the more exterior seating areas , new carpets and corporate side we ’ re trying to attract will flooring , interior painting and renewal of the notice things like that , so we ’ re going to onboard sound system . iron those things out and make a really
But it ’ s not just about looking good good go of it . – it needs to sail well too , so the boat ’ s “ The Princess runs all year round , so my engines are being overhauled ahead of a challenge is to make it as busy during the replacement pair being delivered next year winter as it is during the summer , with the for fitting in a forthcoming maintenance help of the longstanding Teesside Princess period . A full-time mechanic is also being team , including manager Rachel Hutchinson appointed . and her mum , Heather .
Nathan told Tees Business : “ It ’ s as
“ It ’ s not a cold boat – it ’ s very cosy and exciting as it is daunting . I ’ m a boat man , you ’ re not going to get wet ! And we have not a hospitality man , so I ’ ve learned more plans for things like murder mystery nights , about beer lines , alcohol volumes and beer comedy nights and live bands .” margins in the past few months than I have Nathan took over the boat from Ian in my entire life !
Edge , who sadly died earlier this year . “ Under the Maritime Code , we have to go Nathan said : “ Ian told me he was only to dry dock every year , so this is a grand going to give the boat to a person he was opportunity now for us to go , ‘ Right , we ’ re confident would take it to the next level . out the water , we ’ re off service , let ’ s get I seriously hope that if he can see what everything done that we want to get done ’. we ’ re doing , he ’ d feel we ’ re honouring
“ Essentially , we ’ re trying to cram around that .” a month ’ s worth of renovation into a sevenday dry dock period , but it ’ s achievable .” been learning about the boat and finding
He added : “ The past few months have
One of the first obvious signs of its new out what needed to be done . Now , once it ’ s look will be a “ wave ” vinyl logo , designed out of dry dock , it will be a case of , ‘ Right , by Nathan and created by Design & let ’ s see what you can do now you ’ ve got a Display , run by Tom Marwood in Stokesley , fresh pair of shoes on ’.” to visually streamline the boat ’ s large white exterior .
But ensuring a boat is ship-shape for a successful future is about much more than Visit teessideprincess . co . uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 131