About Us
Boland Marine is family run business founded in 2024 with a clear vision to offer marine services based on the experience gained from years in the marine industry. The founder has more than 13 years in the Marine Industry in a wide variety of roles.
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Boating is often seen as a sport reserved for the rich, or inaccessible to those with no pervious experience with boats. Boland Marine's vision is to break this stigma and provide a personal approach to starting boating for those with no experience, and professional services to even the most experienced boater who is looking to buy their next boat, modify and improve their current boat, or even looking to have a custom designed boat specific to their individual needs.
“Believe me my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
Ratty - The Wind in the Willows
The People
Josh - Founder
Boland Marine was founded by Josh Boland and is based on his passion for boating and the marine industry. Having spent most of his childhood on and around a variety of boats, he studied Naval Architecture and Small Craft Engineering at the University of Strathclyde and graduated with a Masters in Engineering. Since then Josh has held a range of positions at some of the world's most prominent boat builders, including Sunseeker, Hanse Group, Pascoe International and BAE Systems Boats (formerly known as VT Halmatic), culminating in over 13 years of experience in the marine industry. He has also published several articles in Practical Boat Owner on the work carried out on one of his boats. Josh is now a Chartered Engineer registered with the UK Engineering Council and a member or the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA), the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).
Throughout his career, Josh has been able to gain a wide range of experience in the marine industry, from concept and detailed design, to Production Engineering, sea trials and handover of the vessel to customers. He has been able to acquire in depth training and experience in Engineering, Quality, Lifecycle Management, Management, Project Management, Systems Engineering, Commercial and Legal aspects.
In his latest role, Josh is the Technical Authority for BAE Systems Boats, where he is responsible for ensuring Engineering governance and assurance for a range of projects, ensuring the deliverables handed to the customer comply with customer, governance and legal requirements and holds overall responsibility for the Engineering solution. As part of this role, he works on the Boats in Service Support Contract, a £112 million UK MoD contract covering the maintenance and support of more than 650 boats over 27 classes, ranging in size from five to 18 metres, including those operated by the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, British Army, Royal Marines and Ministry of Defence Police. Josh has also worked on bids with values up to £200 million.
When not at work, Josh can be found on one of his boats, spending time on the water with his family.
Dai - Wooden Boat Expert
Dai is Josh's brother and similar to Josh, spent his childhood on and around boats. Having studied a variety of subjects, he has used his knowledge and passion for boats to become a qualified boat builder, having completed his boat building apprenticeship in Germany.
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With a passion for classical boats, Dai has proven himself on a range of refit projects, from smaller wooden boat repairs to new teak decks and even working on refits of an 8mtr vessel at a well known yard in Germany.
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Dai is the go to person for aesthetical design, being able to produce beautiful and functional designs, based on years of experience sailing and maintaining a wide range of boats. He is also our resident expert on wooden boats and any boat building related queries that otherwise cannot be resolved.
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When not covered in sawdust at work, Dai can be found sailing his traditional Folk Boat in the Baltic with his girlfriend and son.
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