H2OWorld Podcast

In this edition, Sir Robin chats to Dave Baker of Baker Trayte Marine, one of the unseen heros of the maritime world.  They talk about some of the salvage jobs Dave and his team have taken on, how dredging work has affected the tidal flow in Portsmouth harbour and the challenges of finding crew. https://www.btmarine.co.uk/index.html Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sail non-s...

It was a thrilling weekend of racing in The Solent, as Sail GP made its Portsmouth debut. Tens of thousands of fans filled the giant grandstand on Southsea Common, they were not disappointed.   In this the second podcast from the event, Shelley spoke to SailGP's chief operating officer Julien De Baise about the rise and rise of SailGP. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sa...

It was a thrilling weekend of racing in The Solent, as Sail GP made its Portsmouth debut. Tens of thousands of fans filled the giant grandstand on Southsea Common, they were not disappointed. Shelley caught up with Emirates GBR's driver Dylan Fletcher & strategist Hannah Mills and spectators Geoff Holt MBE & champion sailor and class1 world champion powerboat racer Darren Nicholson. S...

Neil Sackley talks to Mark Mapp, Chief Executive Officer of Guernsey’s ambulance service (St John Ambulance and Rescue Service) and Volunteer Marine Operations Manager Gary Ward about the marine ambulance Flying Christine III, following her major refit in Cowes. Find out more about Flying Christine III  https://ambulance.gg/what-we-do/flying-christine Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first p...

On this, the first edition of the 2025 season Shelley Jory-Leigh talks to a pioneer in her sport of powerboat racing. And that's not all.  Coming from a racing family, Timmy Hansen is a champion both on land and on the water with an impressive list of achievements to his name.   In this chat, Timmy talks about how his parents influenced his life path, his championship successes and how he dro...

The first week in November saw the annual Record Week take place in the Lake District. It was the 52nd Powerboat Record Week… and records were not only broken, but many were smashed.   K7 Gold Star holder Shelley Jory-Leigh was there, and spoke with some of those taking part. For more on the event:  https://www.facebook.com/recordsweek Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sail no...

Neil Sackley meets Jacqui Besley. mother of 18 year old Harry who attempted a unique round Britain challenge in 2024. At first glance his RIB looks like any other, but it doesn't have a traditional outboard engine. It has an electric one. Jacqui talks about why Harry took on the circumnavigation, the logistical challenges they all faced, his achievements and what happens next. https://www.rou...

Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defended the 37th America's Cup in a thrilling finale in Barcelona.  But they didn't have it all their own way with the challenger of the record INEOS Britannia fighting them all the way. And the British team with Sir Ben Ainslie at the helm made history. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Shelley Jory-Leigh look back at the event, with the help of Geoff H...

Shelley Jory-Leigh jumps on board Lifeboat 52-02 at the Southampton International Boat Show. Having saved hundreds of lives in her illustrious career based in Guernsey as Sir William Arnold, she was one of the most decorated boats in the fleet. Now lovingly restored she is a museum dedicated to her former career.  Shelley meets the current owner Colin Trowell and hears her fascinating story. https...

Neil Sackley meets Team Endeavour Racing's Dave Taylor at the Southampton International Boat Show. They talk about the work of Team Endeavour Racing, the evolution of the series - now known as ProCat Racing and how it benefits serving military and ex-military personnel. https://teamendeavourracing.co.uk/ https://procatracing.uk/ Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sail non-...

For this edition, Sir Robin is in conversation with the Cruising Association's John Burbeck at the Southampton International Boat Show.  Founded in 1908 specifically to meet the needs of the cruising community, the Cruising Association (CA) is acknowledged as a leading organisation for sail and motor cruisers with over 6,400 members around the world. The CA has been a home to many of the grea...

The 40th anniversary Bramble Bank Cricket Match between The Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club has taken place on the infamous sandbank in The Solent, with podcast hosts Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Shelley Jory-Leigh playing for opposing teams. Hear from those taking part including a 40 year veteran of the game, the publican who set up a bar and there's an idea for the spon...

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Shelley Jory-Leigh visit Universal Safety Ltd in Southampton. They specialise in marine safety testing and certifying life jackets and liferafts.  Manager Simon White explains the importance of regular servicing, and Shelley gets a surprise! https://www.universalsafety.co.uk/ Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sail non-stop single-handed around the w...

Captain Rachel & Captain Neil Dunn are pilots. One brings Royal Navy vessels into Portsmouth, the other guides container & cruise ships into Southampton. They tell Sir Robin and Shelley about their work and how they have passed each other in the Solent. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sail non-stop single-handed around the world and continues to inspire sailors young...

Following the sinking of Bayesian with the loss of 7 lives, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston explains why yachts don't normally sink. Also he remembers his encounter with killer whales off Spain and how at the age of 14, the Grand Union Canal shaped his future life. Shelley looks back at the 2024 Cowes Powerboat Festival, and looks forward to the rescheduled Brambles Cricket match. There's also a...

Every August Bank Holiday weekend Cowes hosts the Powerboat Festival. It was an eventful weekend, which featured the iconic Cowes - Torquay race, Cowes - Poole race and a new race around the isle of Wight.   Shelley Jory-Leigh was there in the heart of it. https://cowestorquaycowes.co.uk/ Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sail non-stop single-handed around the world and contin...

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston & Shelley Jory-Leigh discuss some of the events of the summer so far, including Team GB's Olympics, Sail GP, Cowes Week and the end of the Clipper Race. Plus they look forward to the America's Cup and to some upcoming podcast episodes. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD was the first person to sail non-stop single-handed around the world and continues to inspire s...

We're in Portsmouth as the crews return home from their epic 40,000 mile race around the world. Hear the thoughts of the skippers, AQPs and some of the crew as they arrive on stage at the lavish prize giving ceremony.  And race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has special recognition for those who completed the full circumnavigation. Shelley Jory Leigh and Neil Sackley are the hosts of the eve...

Sir Robin and Shelley discuss their connections with the RNLI.  Shelley talks about spending the day with the Calshot crew and Robin remembers talking the Atlantic 21 course. And as the institution marks its 200th anniversary, Robin chats with former operations director Michael Vlasto.   And Robin & Shelley reflect on the 200th anniversary lifeboat festival in Poole.   Useful links: https://rn...

Sir Robin and Shelley discuss the work of the Corporation of Trinity House and its role in the D-Day landings. And they meet the first lady member of the Elder Brethren, Captain Fran Collins MNM. Starting in the Merchant Navy, Captain Collins has worked on super tankers, she rose through the ranks at Condor ferries and is now CEO of cross Solent carrier Red Funnel.  https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/...

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is in Washington DC to meet the crews of the Clipper Round the World Race and chats with Ella Hebron, the youngest AQP. She tells him how she learnt to sail in Eastbourne, how a former Clipper Race skipper encouraged her to become a mate and her plans for the future. Useful links https://clipperraceellahebron.wordpress.com/ https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/ Sir Robin Kn...

Alastair Nayler has been hon secretary of the K7 Club since 2006. In this episode, he tells club member Shelley Joy-Leigh  how the club came into being, her place within it and how powerboaters can qualify for membership. They also talk about the legacy of Donald Campbell, the logistics of organising speed week and plans for the future. Plus Shelley and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston discuss the merits o...

Quadruple amputee Alex Lewis has taken on an incredible challenge. He's rowing from Falmouth to Dover and then cycling back again. As he made his way along the western Solent in his converted Flying 15, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston joined him to row from Hurst Castle to Yarmouth.  Hear his incredible story and find out what he plans he has for the future. There's also an update on Geoff Holt...

Sir Robin Knox-Johnson visits Barcelona and gets an exclusive look at and inside INEOS Britannia.  His guide is Ben Cornish, one of the key crew members of the team hoping to bring the America's Cup back home for the first time since 1851. They talk about how Formula One technology plays a part in the radical design of the craft and impresses Shelley with the speed they can achieve.  https://...

Having been part of the line up with Procul Harum, Heatwave, Big Country and more, rock keyboardist Josh Phillips knows a thing or two about music. But that's not his only passion.  For this edition of the podcast he hosts Sir Robin and Shelley onboard his classic Lissen motor yacht on The Hamble where they talk about his love of yachting, music and how a chat in the Royal Southern Yacht Club...