Leader of the Isle of Wight council said, "This investment will help secure much needed skilled employment as well as providing a kick-start to the next stage of the wider regeneration of the town"
The new curriculum will include boat-building, including specifications and designing prototypes; navigation electronics; celestial navigation; tides; admiralty chart conventions; shipping forecasts; practical boat-handling skills; and attending Cowes Regatta to celebrate the production of boats.
With the Isle of Wight Festival opening its gates on Thursday 21st June, the council are getting the Floating Bridge to run at the times the old service used to - 5am, then into the wee hours.
Diverse Marine are "delighted and thankful" to be given the contract to work with Cowes Harbour Commission in developing this new vessel and for boat-building on the Isle of Wight to be supported.