Cowes-Based Solent Cruises Wins Maritime Legacy Award In Honour Of Late Founder

An Isle of Wight family business has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to the region’s maritime industry.

Solent Cruises, based at Thetis Wharf in Cowes, has won the Maritime Legacy Award at the 2025 Maritime Solent Awards, held at the Hilton Southampton Utilita Bowl.

The award was presented posthumously to Mark Rayment, who founded Solent Cruises more than 60 years ago and sadly passed away last year.

It celebrates individuals and organisations that have made a lasting impact on the Solent’s maritime sector.

Mark was known for his lifelong dedication to the business and for his commitment to supporting young people on the Isle of Wight, regularly hiring local school leavers and apprentices and sharing his knowledge and passion for life at sea.

He also championed maritime safety, serving on several national safety boards — including one formed after the Marchioness disaster — and expanded the Solent Cruises fleet over the decades to offer harbour tours, private charters, and sightseeing trips across the Solent.

Mark’s “welcoming manner and dulcet tones” on the microphone during cruises became a hallmark of the company and fondly remembered by generations of passengers.

Now led by his daughter Ali and son Lee Rayment, Solent Cruises continues to operate from Cowes, offering boat trips and private hire across the Solent.

Managing Director Ali Rayment said:

“It’s a really proud moment for us and the whole team — the award given in memory of our dad, Mark.

"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has travelled with us, attended one of our events, or hired one of our vessels.

"We’d also like to give a huge thank you to our amazing team, who work so hard to make Solent Cruises what it is today.”

The win highlights the Isle of Wight’s ongoing role at the heart of the Solent’s rich maritime heritage — and the family legacy that continues to make waves from Cowes.