Metropolitan Police Sailing Club

Sailing programme and trips

The club runs a regular programme of member sail days (single-day, 2-day and longer trips), private member yacht charters, organised cruises in the Solent (day trips up to multi-day Channel/Channel Islands passages) and training voyages. Racing is possible but only by prior permission and subject to additional insurance/qualification conditions.

Courses, training and progression

The club is recognised by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) to run practical sailing and shore-based theory courses at every level, enabling members to progress from novice to RYA Yachtmaster Ocean.

The club also offers additional in-house training modules to supplement the RYA scheme and can provide skippered charters and members day sails where members lack necessary qualifications.

Many practical RYA courses run seasonally; examples listed include Competent Crew and Day Skipper for the main season Apr–31 Oct, and some advanced courses have winter or specific seasonal windows such as Nov–Apr for certain courses.

Club events and themed cruises

Organised events include scheduled Club Members Sail Days, themed and social cruises (including family cruises and ladies-focused events), double-boat events and a cruise calendar.

RYA courses and club specialty days are also run as part of the events programme.

Member experience and what’s provided

Members who do not own boats can take part via low-cost day sails and skippered charters, book private charters (subject to qualification) or join organised cruises.

For members’ sail days, the club supplies a skipper, wet weather gear, safety equipment and fuel.

Members receive discounts on Musto clothing, and access to club kit stored at the Broadway base.

Facilities and yachts at the Broadway base

The club’s base is at Mercury Yacht Harbour (Broadway Base), Satchell Lane, Hamble (SO31 4HQ).

Club yachts are berthed there, including Pride of Broadway (Hallberg Rassy 342) and Lyra of Broadway (Jeanneau/Sun Odyssey 349).

The marina provides a bar/restaurant, showers and laundry, and the club stores Musto jackets/salopettes at the base.

Cruise calendar and year-round scheduling

Chartering and members’ sail days are scheduled throughout the year with specific available dates shown on the booking calendar.

Dining options for crews

No dedicated clubhouse catering is listed on the site; Mercury Yacht Harbour (where the Broadway base is located) has a bar/restaurant nearby.

Hamble village also offers pubs and restaurants for crews to use.

Membership categories and how to apply

Full membership is open to serving and retired Metropolitan Police Service officers and staff (subscription shown as £66 p.a. / £5.50 per month).

Associate membership is offered for other police, emergency services, nominated yacht club members, and sponsored family/friends (the site shows associate subscription and joining fee information).

A Family membership category exists.

Applications are via the online membership forms.

Access and use are governed by membership category and booking T&Cs: full/associate/family categories determine eligibility to join.

Access, chartering and racing requirements

Chartering club yachts requires appropriate qualifications (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/cruise booking conditions.

Club history and governance

The MPSC states it has existed since 1956.

Site notes it operates as a members’ club and references its governance by an Executive Committee and that it moved to a company limited by guarantee framework while remaining a members’ club.

Social activities

Social activity is centred on members’ sail days and cruises (family-friendly events), including themed events such as Ladies Sailing.

An active members’ Facebook group and informal gatherings using marina facilities are also mentioned.

Members also benefit from club social discounts (Musto).