Montagu whaler Swan and whaler no. 124/1964

Montagu whaler 124/1964

Bristol charity Rocking the Boat Bristol member Steve Evans is rebuilding a 1964 Montagu whaler named Swan, but are short of oars, mast and sailing kit. If anyone has these they can offer, Rocking the Boat would be most grateful for your help. Email me at gmatkin@gmail.com and I’ll pass the message along.

In addition, Rocking the Boat has another Montagu whaler (built:  Portsmouth 1964, no 124) that we would like to give to someone who wants to finish its rebuild. It’s basically sound but needs a new home, and is at present lying in Bristol.

Steve has this to say about the story of Swan and whaler no. 124/1964:

‘She was reputedly built in Malta and was once owned by Berni Bruen, who wrote the Song of the Montagu Whaler (scroll down this page to find it), and later by Graham Brown in Falmouth .

‘After Graham passed away, Jonny Mills from Falmouth Marine School took her under his wing and completed some major repairs with students.

‘The story then shifts to Bristol where she now lies and is being further renovated with a possible showing at the Semaine du Golfe, Brittany next May.

‘There is much work to be done and either fabrication or sourcing of the two masts and oars to complete the project by retired chaps under the aegis of All-Aboard Watersports and Rocking the Boat Bristol.

‘The Beagle Project , based in Devonport, have been most encouraging in our project and gave us the second whaler, which sadly bwe find we cannot find the resources to complete. We are therefore looking to a group or individual who would be interested in taking her on before we have to cut her up. She was built at Portsmouth in 1964 and is numbered 124.

‘If you are interested in the boat or have any oars / sailing kit for our boat Swan, I would very much appreciate contact from you.
There will be more to follow on Swan’s Story in later writings.’

Thanks Steve! Please contact him either via Rocking the Boat Bristol (link above) or email me at gmatkin@gmail.com and I’ll pass the message along.

Stirling & Son refurbish a Norwegian rescue vessel

JMJ80ft Norwegian search and rescue vessel, JMJ, is on the Stirling & Son slip for a two-year restoration in readiness for cruising and expeditions in the Arctic.

She was the first fully motorised rescue vessel operated by the Norwegian rescue service (Det Norske Redningselskapet) and worked from 1949 to 1978, during which time she saved more than 100 lives.  1949 seems very late for the Norwegians to launch their first motor-only rescue craft, but I guess that may reflect a deep affection for the Colin Archer type…

Oh, and Will Stirling has just qualified as a marine surveyor through the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, with an average mark of 92 per cent! Congratulations Will!

Stirling and Son is at Devonport and Tavistock – see the company’s website here.

William Flannery working on 1963-built Broads motor cruiser Spruce Goose

… together with his wife and other family members. See the rest of the videos he’s made here.