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

You can now learn how about how to protect our marine ecosystems by joining the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Wild for Life for a virtual, immersive journey through three unique but connected marine ecosystems – mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs – that are threatened by human activity such as tourism development, fishing and pollution.
 
According to the UNEP website, the marine journey allows users to explore underwater as three different personas, showing how biodiversity functions to deliver vital goods and services to humanity, the threats these ecosystems face and how simple actions can help to better protect the interconnected habitats.
 
 
The personas – a tourist, recreational boater or fisher – are chosen to represent people visiting the ocean for holidays, those who live near the ocean and enjoy it recreationally, and people who operate a business involving the ocean. Each has unique motives and presents a particular threat, as well as a different opportunity to protect ecosystems. Users are encouraged to try all three.
 
The virtual underwater experience is set in Belize as it’s home to a 300km stretch of the Mesoamerican barrier reef, upon which nearly 200,000 people depend for tourism and fishing. As reported in The Guardian, the country is renowned for its innovative marine strategies geared at protecting oceans. For instance, a license is needed to fish in Belize’s closely managed waters and catch must be reported, helping curb illegal fishing.
 
If diving into the virtual journey as a tourist, the first ecosystem users encounter are mangroves. Users will learn that mangroves provide the nursery habitat for many commercial fish species and help mitigate climate change (they are extremely efficient carbon sinks) while examining the impact of human actions, like feeding fish, on their environment.
 
Users also explore seagrass where young, vulnerable marine creatures are nursed before they are strong enough to move to reefs and other marine ecosystems.
 
The final journey is through coral reefs, another ecosystem in peril. During the dive, the user learns how human activity, even using sunscreen, can affect coral. Chemical-based sunscreens, which use ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone, are toxic to coral reefs, while mineral-based sunscreens are safe for the skin and reefs.
 
Leticia Carvalho, the coordinator of the UNEP Marine and Freshwater Branch, says human beings have a lot to gain from healthy ecosystems. “Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystems in the ocean, housing approximately 25 per cent of marine species and providing livelihoods for at least 500 million people around the world. Unfortunately, they are also the most vulnerable ecosystem to climate change globally. The time is now for member states to join hands to confront the global coral reef crisis and to protect this valuable ecosystem.”
 
Wild for Life seeks to mobilize and inspire people to conserve our valuable underwater ecosystems. It is one of four distinct ecosystems with other upcoming journeys to include peatlands, savannas, and forests.
 
The model follows suit from another innovative product. In March 2020, Wild for Life launched the Reef Rider Journey, a virtual underwater challenge that allows you to experience a coral reef through the eyes of a sea turtle to understand its unique role in maintaining nature’s balance.
 

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