Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering Our yacht "Catalina"

  • Catalina Yacht in the water against a blue sky
  • close up of the catalina yacht in water
  • Catalina yacht in the water against an evening sky
  • catalina yacht in the harbour
  • a group of students pose for a photo on the Catalina
  • Catalina Yacht sailing in water
  • Catalina Yacht tipping to the right, with people sitting on the left hand side
  • Catalina Yacht in water against a blue sky
  • close up of the catalina in water
  • catalina yacht against an evening sky
  • Catalina yacht in the harbour
  • students posing for a group photograph on the catalina yacht
  • video of catalina yacht on the waiter from behind
  • catalina yacht in the water on a grey and mistry day, tipping to the right, while it's passengers sit with legs dangling over the edge

Location

Catalina is berthed in Rhu Marina on the River Clyde, on the West Coast of Scotland. It's around 40 minutes from the campus.

How to get there

By rail

A half-hourly rail link runs from Glasgow Queen Street station to Helensburgh Central. Helensburgh Upper is on the West Highlands line linking with Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.

By road

From Glasgow take the M8 West, over the Clyde on the Erskine Bridge (M898), A82 to Dunbarton, through Cardross (A814) to Helensburgh, then follow the shoreline until you reach the Marine on your left.

By water

Southeast of the narrows at the entrance to the Gareloch - 56 00.7N 004 46.5W.

The marina entrance is marked with red and green lights (FL.4s)*, on the ends of the floating breakwaters. A Green channel mark (FL.G.5s)**, approx 30m off the entrance, marks rocks. - Must be rounded correctly.

Catalina is a Sigma 33 cruising/racing yacht. It's available for all students of the department to use under the supervision of an experienced Skipper who holds a minimum of an RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification.

Our students have the opportunity to gain their RYA Day Skipper theory and practical qualification through a course offered by the department.

For year one students, the theoretical course can count towards their degree. The practical aspects of the course are taught on board Catalina. Catalina Article

Qualified skippers

Qualified skippers

Qualified Skippers are able to book and use Catalina whenever they wish. They take out other less experienced department members as crew, with the aim of increasing their knowledge and understanding.

The skippers are responsible for the safety of crew and yacht and as such we require them to demonstrate their knowledge and experience before becoming a qualified skipper of Catalina.

Potential skippers should be competent to at least RYA Day Skipper standard, and will receive an assessment prior to being approved as a skipper.

Students of the department have the opportunity to gain their RYA Day Skipper theory and practical qualification through a course offered by the department.

For first year students, the theoretical course can count towards their degree. The practical aspects of the course are taught on board Catalina.

Global Maritime Sponsorship

We are delighted to introduce to you our yacht’s sponsor, Global Maritime!

Global Maritime is a marine, offshore and engineering consultancy founded in 1979. It is majority-owned by Private Equity Fund HitecVision.

HitecVision is a leading investor in the European energy industry, helping build successful companies for a sustainable future.

Primarily, Global Maritime’s services span the entire offshore project lifecycle from engineering & design, construction, and third-party verification through to marine warranty surveying dynamic positioning, installation, risk management and decommissioning. It is known for its innovation practical experience, operational excellence, and safety.

Their vision: Meeting the Challenges of the Sea.

Their mission: Excellence in Marine Operations.

Their values: Truthful, Innovative, Value Adding and Competent.

To find out more about Global Maritime, visit the website below:

https://www.globalmaritime.com/

Thank you to Global Maritime for their continuous support!

Further information

Booking:

In order to book Catalina you have to fill in the online ‘Booking Request Form’. Please click on the link below to do so:

https://forms.office.com/r/nkrwi1Kj5y

Please note that if you are a University of Strathclyde Student and you do not have a skipper’s license, you can still make a booking request and indicate within the booking form that you would like for us to try to find a skipper that would like to volunteer their time to offer you a day-sail experience.

Useful Documents for Catalina

To access general information documents about the yacht, its engine, and the equipment onboard please use the link below:

https://strath-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/naome-catalina-booking_strath_ac_uk/EjrbTPxcsQtCtszz6VwmfgYBxosyrun8OrG6uCXZi9DYrA?e=oeZmwO