In all his 28 years in the marine insurance industry Steve Risk has never seen anything quite like it.

A boom in boating means that there are literally not enough hours in the day to deal with insurance enquiries.

Poole-based Coleman Marine Insurance, where Steve is MD, has just had its best-ever year with year-on-year growth in excess of ten per cent.

Such is the demand for its services that the business, part of the global insurance, risk management and consulting services company Gallagher, is looking to boost its 20-strong team by at least another two staff within the next six months.

Steve, who joined Coleman in 2006, said: “If I had been told back in March 2020 that fast forward to now and our biggest challenges would be having enough hours in the day to deal with insurance enquiries – and finding high quality staff to ensure we have sufficient resource to continue to provide our clients with a quality service – I’d have taken a hand off for such a position.

“But here we are, adding resource to our team and working round the clock to deal with demand.

“Things could have been very different for us all.

“It is so positive to see such a buoyant brokerage and new boat sales sector in the UK and the Mediterranean.

“Long may that continue.”

Steve said he attributed the rise in the popularity of boating to a variety of reasons – and, of course, the pandemic looms large.

He said: “People have been seeking isolation.

“While people haven’t been able to travel abroad, it’s become the ultimate staycation break while reducing the risk of infection.

“But it’s also a great way to spend quality time with family and friends on the water.

“Undoubtedly, Covid has affected buying behaviour in the marine sector with some having more income to spend on craft in the superyacht range.”

All of which has led to boat manufacturers reporting a big increase in sales of both new and used craft.

Boats Group, which owns and operates the world’s largest and most popular boating marketplaces, reported a surge in demand for boats and other watersports craft during 2020.

UK new and used (unit) boat sales grew nine per cent in 2020, a reversal of the eight per cent decline in boat sales seen in 2019.

There was increased demand for boats across virtually all vessel types and size ranges, but particularly among more expensive boats worth over £100,000.

Unit sales for these were up by 18 per cent compared with 2019 unit sales.

The figures reflect the trend seen by, among others, Poole-based Sunseeker International.

Spencer Brown, Sales Director for Sunseeker Poole Ltd, pictured – and featured in our Marine Matters column – said that during the pandemic: “The desire for Sunseeker products has grown exponentially, increasing growth in new and used sales, and bolstering pricing.

“Sales are stronger than ever in the brokerage and new sales markets and this has resulted in a shortage of available stock in both these areas.

“We’ve noticed lots of new Sunseeker clients, new blood and new prospects arriving in the marketplace.

“Boating has blossomed as a leisure-time activity.”

Coleman Marine Insurance, which is based on Poole Quay, is a specialist broker, providing bespoke solutions for all aspects of yacht, motorboat, superyacht, commercial craft, cargo and marine trade insurance.

The company’s reach extends from the UK to the Mediterranean and beyond.

While Coleman Marine Insurance has been in existence for over 20 years, the Coleman brand itself is steeped in heritage and has been based in Poole for more than a century.

Two key boat shows are coming up next month.

Cannes Yachting Festival is from September 7 to 12 and Southampton International Boat Show, pictured, from September 10 to 19.

Steve said up to five members of his team will be attending each one.

He said: “These have been incredibly challenging times for us all.

“I’m immensely proud of my team for the way that they’ve handled matters.

“But it’s important that we’re out there and visible.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve prided ourselves on the fact that when our clients need us, then we’ll be there.

“That really is the case, not just during the day but at night and also weekends.

“Together with the support we enjoy from being part of Gallagher, I believe we’re in the best possible position to deal with the demand we’re seeing for our services.”