The first apprentice at a yacht harbour has won a merit for his performance.
At age 24, Oli Rickard has passed his final assessment with a top-scoring merit.
Oli was the apprentice on the Beaulieu River at Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour.
Alongside working as a popular customer face, he worked to achieve his Level 2 Marina and Boatyard Operative qualifications.
As part of his role, he lifted more than 200 boats, while also managing mast, engine, and emergency lifts.
His assessor described him as an "impressive student with a deep knowledge and the skills necessary to operate at a high standard that was demonstrated at all times."
They also said: "He clearly loved his work and it shone through.
"He has clearly been trained very well by his peers and training provider."
Harbour master, Wendy Stowe, said; "The independent assessor from British Marine told me we should be really proud of Oli.
"We are so pleased that he passed with flying colours."
Oli started his journey as a river hand before becoming the first apprentice and recently won the ViewHR Award for Apprentice of the Year at the New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards.
Meanwhile, the yacht harbour has recently appointed a second apprentice, George Dunsdon, who will follow in Oli's footsteps.
George is currently working to achieve the same Level two qualification.
At 21, he already manages a variety of services including lifting, launching, pressure-washing vessels, and moving boats on the water.
While he is currently studying safety rules and regulations, he continues with marina maintenance work.
The apprentices' work coincides with an upgrade of the yacht harbour's boatshed as part of a £2 million redevelopment.
More details on the new offices and workshop units can be found at www.beaulieuriver.co.uk/boatyard-redevelopment.
The renovations will make way for new waterfront offices with panoramic views of the river and workshops by the summer season.
These will provide opportunities for marine-based businesses to relocate to one of the most well-reputed marinas on the south coast.
Ranked as one of the UK's top marinas, Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour stands at the entrance of the New Forest National Park, providing habitats for over 200 species of birdlife.
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