Metropolitan Police Sailing Club

About

The Metropolitan Police Sailing Club (MPSC) has been in operation since 1956. It functions as a members' club governed by an Executive Committee and has transitioned to a company limited by guarantee while maintaining its status as a members' club. For more details, visit their history page.

Sailing Programme

The club runs a regular programme of member sail days, which include single-day, two-day, and longer trips, as well as private member yacht charters and organised cruises in the Solent. These cruises can range from day trips to multi-day Channel or Channel Islands passages. Racing is possible but requires prior permission and is subject to additional insurance and qualification conditions. More information can be found on their sail days page.

Training Opportunities

MPSC is recognised by the RYA to run both practical and shore-based theory courses across the RYA ladder, including Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, and Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore. They also offer one-day RYA courses such as Sea Survival and First Aid, as well as SRC/VHF and club specialty courses. The courses feature small student-to-instructor ratios and seasonal schedules. For more details, please visit their training page.

Member Experience

Members who do not own boats can participate in low-cost day sails and skippered charters, book private charters (subject to qualification), or join organised cruises. For members' sail days, the club provides a skipper, wet weather gear, safety equipment, and fuel. Members also enjoy discounts on Musto clothing and have access to club kit stored at the Broadway base. More information is available on their member experience page.

Facilities

The club is based at Mercury Yacht Harbour, located at Satchell Lane, Hamble (SO31 4HQ). Club yachts are berthed there, including the Pride of Broadway and Lyra of Broadway. The marina features a bar and restaurant, showers, and laundry facilities. The club also stores Musto jackets and salopettes at the base. For further details, visit the facilities page.

Dining Options

While there is no dedicated clubhouse catering, the nearby Mercury Yacht Harbour has a bar and restaurant, and Hamble village offers various pubs and restaurants for crews to use. More information can be found on their dining options page.

Membership Information

Full membership is available to serving and retired Metropolitan Police Service officers and staff, with a subscription fee of £66 per annum or £5.50 per month. Associate membership is offered to other police, emergency services, nominated yacht club members, and sponsored family or friends. A Family membership category is also available. Applications can be submitted through the online membership forms on their membership page.

Seasonal Operations

Many practical RYA courses are run seasonally, with examples such as Competent Crew and Day Skipper scheduled from April 1 to October 31. Some advanced courses, like Yachtmaster/Offshore, may have specific winter or seasonal windows. Chartering and members' sail days are scheduled throughout the year, with specific available dates shown on the booking calendar. For more details, visit their seasonal operations page.

Social Activities

Social activities at the club are focused on members' sail days and cruises, including family-friendly events and themed gatherings such as Ladies Sailing. An active members' Facebook group facilitates informal gatherings using marina facilities, and members benefit from club social discounts on Musto products. More information can be found on their social activities page.

Access Policy

Access and use of the club facilities are governed by membership category and booking terms and conditions. Eligibility to join is determined by full, associate, or family membership categories. Chartering club yachts requires appropriate qualifications, such as the minimum RYA Day Skipper Practical plus SRC/VHF for private charters. Racing from club yachts requires prior permission and minimum skipper qualifications. Bookings are subject to the club's course and cruise booking conditions, detailed on their access policy page.