A Farewell and Heartfelt Thank You from JD Yachts

After 25 extraordinary years, JD Yachts will be closing its doors.

This has not been an easy decision—but it’s one we’ve made with deep reflection and immense pride in all that we’ve achieved. We set out to build a company grounded in trust, transparency, and a passion for getting people on the water. We believe we’ve done just that.

To our clients—some of whom have been with us from the very beginning—we owe everything. Your unwavering support and trust shaped our journey. Many of you returned to us time and again for your boating needs, and that loyalty became the foundation of our business. We’re honoured to have helped so many families and individuals realise their dreams of yachting across the UK and the Mediterranean.

To our industry colleagues, tradespeople, and the marinas who welcomed and supported our work—you made this possible. The collaborative spirit and shared commitment to excellence within the marine sector gave JD Yachts its wings. We always sought to drive business back into local trades and infrastructures, and we’re proud to have played a part in sustaining that ecosystem.

To our dedicated team—Toby Hawkins and Isabella O’Leary—thank you for your incredible contribution, professionalism, and commitment to our shared mission. You’ve been integral to our journey and success.

A special thank you to our families for your constant support, patience, and belief in us—especially through the demanding times. JD Yachts has always been about more than just boats; it’s been about people, partnerships, and heart.

The current business climate, especially for SMEs in the marine sector, has become increasingly complex and challenging—particularly in relation to post-Brexit trade regulations and the double taxation of vessels between the UK and EU. These conditions have made it nearly impossible to scale sustainably or operate competitively abroad. We believe it’s important to acknowledge how much the industry has changed—and how vital it is to protect what was once a thriving cornerstone of Britain’s maritime heritage.

As we close this chapter, we do so with enormous gratitude for every client, colleague, and friend we’ve met along the way. The memories, the adventures, and the trust you placed in us will stay with us forever.

Thank you for letting JD Yachts be part of your story. We are proud of the legacy we leave behind.

With heartfelt thanks,

Darren & Justin

 
It’s been over a century since the RMS Titanic split in two and sank to the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.
 
Yet here we are in 2017, continuing to be fascinated by the history of the ship’s wreckage, which took the lives of over 1,500 people in 1912.
 
While the film adaptation was enough for some people, there’s still so much more to learn about the doomed ship.
 
 
Well, if you’re willing to dive two miles under the sea, you could experience the entirety of the wreckage with your veryowneyes.
 
 
Starting in May 2018, London-based tour operator Blue Marble Private will run eight-day expeditions to the location of the sunken Titanic ship.
 
 
The journey to the final site is a long one.
 
 
First, you have to fly via helicopter from Newfoundland to the expedition’s support yacht in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.
 
 
After two days aboard the yacht, tourists on the trip will hop onto a special submersible designed to endure the five-hour dive down to the site of the Titanic’s remains.
 
 
Accompanied by deep ocean experts, you’ll be able to see the Titanic up close and personal, in all its glory.
 
 
You may even get to glimpse the famous grand staircase.
 
 
The tickets are expensive, at a whopping £86,500 per ticket.
 
Taking inflation into account, that six-figure price is what it would cost today to purchase a first-class ticket to board the Titanic.
 
Unless, of course, you’re Jack Dawson, and you win your first-class ticket in a lucky game of poker.
 
It may seem expensive, but it is the most iconic vessel in the history of basically ever.
 
OceanGate’s CEO Stockton Rush told Forbes,
 
"Since her sinking 105 years ago, fewer than 200 people have visited the wreck, less than have flown to space or climbed Mt. Everest, so this is an incredible opportunity.
 
We recognize that the entire site is a memorial, and we undertake our mission with great respect for those who lost their lives in the sinking."
 
The first dive will take place in May 2018, and a second is already planned for the summer of 2019.
 

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