Nauticalia

Nauticalia began in 1974, as a floating marine antiques shop in a converted rubbish barge on the River Thames at Shepperton. Lynn Lewis, an ex-BBC television reporter, and his wife Val, also a journalist, were the founders.

As the business developed, it became obvious that there were not enough antiques to satisfy demand, especially for the large items of nautical décor that so enthralled their customers. An advert in the local paper, for a 19th century diver's helmet, brought six buyers the next day - but there was only one for sale! To solve the problem, Lynn commissioned a batch of ten detailed replicas from a specialist metal works, and thus began Nauticalia's famous range of reproduction boating and shipping memorabilia.

Nauticalia first shop on the River Thames at Shepperton

Ship's telegraphs, binnacles, bells, bosun's whistles, brass information signs and anchor lamps soon followed the same course, and necessitated a move to larger premises ashore. Not, however, before Lynn had managed to lose several tools over the side of the barge whilst making repairs, and invented one of the company's best-known products, the Sea Searcher recovery magnet, to get them back. Today the powerful magnet, which has been in continuous production ever since, is used by emergency services, boat owners and even sewage system workers worldwide. Over half a million have been sold!

More than 30 years on, the range has developed from using only the classic marine materials of teak, brass, hemp and cork to include everything from anchor-shaped doorknockers to zoom-focus binoculars. Lynn's principle was "If it traditionally comes from a ship, which generally means it's been built to last, let's reproduce it."

Now, with Lynn's son-in-law Chris Murdoch at the helm, Nauticalia continues to mix traditional nautical replicas with modern boating accessories in a huge range that celebrates Britain's maritime heritage - all under the umbrella of "Ships & Sea... Time & Tide... Wind & Weather... Stars & Skies".

In the UK, Nauticalia have 9 own-brand shops and literally hundreds of stockists - everywhere from maritime museums to seaside "bucket-and-spade" shops - who buy from the wholesaling part of the company.

Exports, spreading British maritime heritage to the world, account for about a quarter of all sales, and Nauticalia was a proud recipient of the Queen's Award for Exports in 1998.

 

Our sister company, Lindon Lewis Marine, is run by Lynn and Val's son Lindon and his wife Cecily. Operating from two Thames locations in Shepperton, they offer:

• New boat sales and secondhand brokerage
• Moorings and on-land storage
• Slipping and repair facilities
• Inboard and outboard engine sales and servicing
  

We have vacancies in the positions listed below. We encourage applications from those who live (or plan to live) close to where they will work. Applicants must be NON-SMOKERS. Please submit a CV including past experience to Donna Deuchar at Nauticalia Ltd, Ferry Lane, Shepperton-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW17 9LQ.

e-mail: reception@nauticalia.com

Tel: 01932 244396 ~ Fax: 01932 241679.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, there are no vacancies at present.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Residential moorings available to let on the River Thames in a countryside location at Shepperton. Shepperton is 18 miles from central London and close to junctions of the M25 and M3 and the moorings are located 1.5 miles from Shepperton station with direct trains to Waterloo.

The moorings are alongside privately-owned towpath (public footpath only) in a Green Belt estate and suitable for navigable vessels or smart purpose-built houseboats up to 5.65m fixed beam, 5.3m air draft (two storeys) and overall length 15m (accommodation 13m).

Each mooring benefits from:-
~ Access road and reserved parking for two cars within 80 yards of the mooring.
~ Metered 100-amp electrical supply from a shore point.
~ Metered water from a shore point.
~ Privately owned sewage plant, which all houseboats must connect to for 
   all sewage and grey water discharge.
~ Telephone line. 
~ Refuse collection facilities.
~ Direct postal and newspaper deliveries.

The current mooring fee is £8,096 per year (£674.66 per month) and on top of this there is an additional charge  in connection with the maintenance and electricity usage for the sewage plant which is around £270 per year. Electricity and water are invoiced directly by the suppliers and council tax, charged at the lowest band, is through Spelthorne Borough Council (Currently £969.05 per year).

Moorings are available now. All enquiries: James Mitchell on 01932 244396, email: james.mitchell@nauticalia.com