Students avoided a sinking feeling when they launched their boats into the sea.

For the staff and students at the Lyme Regis based Boat Building Academy, the last day of May signalled the end of the 38-week boat building course for the Class of August 2017.

The vessels that had been created were walked down to Lyme Regis Harbour just before half past nine, where students were to find out whether their creations would float or sink.

The 18 students on the course built seven boats, including two 16-foot kayaks, one with a fibreglass/foam core and painted an eye-catching banana yellow, the other made of plywood panels.

Other student-built boats ranged from a 14 foot traditional clinker boat, to a 17 foot Glen L 'Ski King', which was powered by a 57 horse power engine, and a much larger 19 foot seven inches Sea Skliff (a versatile sailing boat).

Commander Tim Gedge, director of the Boat Building Academy, said: "It is with great pride that I have watched these exceptional boats being launched.

"I do wish those who are graduating, who learnt their boatbuilding in Lyme Regis and constructed these wonderful craft, every success in their future lives and careers."

Students in the class came from all over the work including Spain, the USA and more locally across the UK.

The backgrounds of the students were just as varied, with a musician, lawyer, builder, teacher, engineer, and even a 17-year-old school leaver, who at home in the Scillies had already worked with more boats than most.

Those who join the course do so for a variety of reasons.

Some wish to start a new career in the marine industry or to take a break from an intensive job, but for many it's the first step in a lifelong dream to build boats.

Following an intensive woodworking foundation phase, and under the tutelage of the instructors, the class learnt to build boats using traditional and modern wood, and composite construction methods.

Each of the 18 students will graduate with the skills needed to work in today's marine industry and gain the industry recognised City & Guilds level three diploma in Marine Construction, Systems Engineering and Maintenance.

To find out more about the academy, visit boatbuildingacademy.com