A ‘fanatical sailor’ from Poole is at the helm of a new yacht and marine business insurance provider.

Keith Lovett, current Chairman of British Marine Wessex, is the Managing Director and Senior Underwriter of Stoneways Marine.

He is a member of Poole Yacht Racing Association, Parkstone Yacht Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club and lives in Lower Parkstone.

Keith, pictured left, has spent his life afloat and is now the proud owner of a 48-year-old Ecume De Mer.

A former student at Poole Grammar School, he has spent more than 40 years in the insurance industry.

Keith has now joined forces with Will Prest, a fellow passionate sailor, to head up Stoneways Marine.

Back in the 1990’s, he raced against – and then with – Will’s father, Guy, in their own yachts with the Poole Yacht Racing Association.

Will, Director and Underwriter, pictured right, trained as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy, working on oil and gas tankers across the world for six years.

Although based in Newbury, Keith said that, predictably, the focus of Stoneways Marine was on the South Coast with representation in both Poole and the Hamble.

He added: “With the yacht and marine trade insurance markets having been decimated over the last couple of years and very troubled, boat owners and businesses alike are very interested in any new options available to them.

“A new and refreshing approach for the insurance of yachts, motorboats, pleasure craft and marine trades throughout the UK is now available from Stoneways Marine.

“Working with leading insurers, innovative new policies and delivering high levels of personal service, we offer both boat owners and businesses an empathetic and thoughtful approach to insurance.”

Will said Stoneways Marine was now “very much open” for business.

He added: “All of our management team are boat owners, mariners and insurance professionals.

“This is the best combination to cater for other owners and businesses operating in the marine industry.”

Stoneways Marine is offering to review insurance for any yacht or business, particularly those affected by the current rapidly changing environment.