Future of BMPT
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: The Trust
Forum Description: Discussion about the Trust
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=621
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 1:34pm
Topic: Future of BMPT
Posted By: johnk
Subject: Future of BMPT
Date Posted: 04 April 2009 at 7:56pm
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Hello all,
Received today the proposal to merge with Portsmouth, well, I will be certainly supporting this move, with small regret I am sure shared, that the BMPT must dissolve, and that Southampton dose not wish it appears, to celebrate its maritime heritage, OK Portsmouth is well known and dose some great work, but it is not the only maritime centre in our country. Presume thus the idea of the dock at Southampton is off? in these times can understand, and we can not just hang around indefinitly. Note they are looking to buy the MGB 81 (albeit called MTB in the letter, we can educate people perhaps on designations!!) and HLS 102. Hopefull the web-site and forum can continue, of course it will take the infamous somone to do it I know, but seems a great resource and source of interest and contacts. Any way, trust not to long, just wanted to make my thoughts know, if of any interest! all the best
Johnk
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Replies:
Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 04 April 2009 at 10:15pm
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Hi John,
The posting was aimed at the BMPT membership, and nothing is firm until after the EGM on May3rd please.
Many thanks
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 04 April 2009 at 10:55pm
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Hi Richard,
OK, sorry about that, I see a bit ahead of the gun, of course it needs to pass at the EGM, no intention of causing a problem.
Johnk
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Posted By: jimmy p
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 3:49am
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If it means the bmpt survives and doesnt become a councillors pet project for a year then fairplay. Husbands yard is long gone and i've only known the BMPT as priceless for contacts. Adapt or die is unfortunately the current national mantra for businesses & charities alike. With your previous record i'm sure you chaps will find the right way forward!!
Sure i speak for everyone on this forum by hoping that a new home is found & you can get back to what you do best...Saving old warboats ------------- A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money |
Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 8:20am
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Good morning John and Jimmy,
Thanks your comments.
I will hopefully be able to reveal all shortly.
Richard
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Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 11:49am
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Richard has asked that this letter be posted A new home for our boats and artefacts. Dear Member, At the last AGM, the Board gave you a full description of the situation in which the Trust finds itself. We advised you, that there was an urgent need to find a good home, where the boats and our artefacts could be safely kept. You in turn authorised us to proceed with this search. Should we fail in this aim, the Trust would have to close down and sell all we have worked for, to cover the costs of grant repayments to the HLF and so on. At the same time, we needed to find a situation where all the work that has been put into the boats, could be well displayed and hopefully continued long into the future. The options, which we advised you we were investigating, are as follows. 1. The 2. The Coastal Motorboat Heritage Trust. 3. The Medusa Trust. 4. The MTB102 Trust. 5. The Bucklers Hard Maritime Museum. 6. The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust. 7. The Classic Motorboat Association. We have been working with all of the above, and the option which has been able to offer us all of the things that we need, is the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust. After meetings with the PNBPT, we have been offered a home for all our boats and artefacts, as well as an opportunity for all our Members to continue working as Volunteers, on either our boats, or those belonging to the PNBPT. The opportunity exists for Members to join the PNBPT Volunteer Group. We are working toward an agreement to merge with the PNBPT.
As this merger will mean that BMPT will be dissolved, we are hopefully negotiating a free period of membership of the Friends of the We are enclosing a copy of the 1986/2006 brochure of the PNBPT, for you to study. Also included herewith is a letter of welcome from the Chief Executive of the PNBPT, Mr Peter Goodship. The Board have accepted the proposed merger, as being the only sensible way ahead for the BMPTrust. The purpose of this letter is to ask for your approval to proceed. This will allow all the Membership to take part in this important decision making process, as only a small number of our Membership will attend the EGM, called overleaf. We ask that you return the enclosed slip to us, at your earliest convenience. Thank you. No response will be taken to be your approval of our special resolution. We, your Board, commend this merger to you. Peter Baillie. (Chair) Terry Ford. David Ross. Tony Alston Richard Hellyer ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 12:20pm
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This is a copy of the document to the BMPT
HM Naval Base To: Members of BMPT Ltd
By way of introduction, l have pleasure in enclosing a copy of the Trust’s 20-year review outlining the principal activities within which we have been engaged since the Trust was established in 1985. You will note that our primary function is the development and long-term preservation of historic buildings associated with HM Naval Base Portsmouth. We also manage three of the visitor attractions within the Historic Dockyard - the Dockyard Apprentice Exhibition, Action Stations and Harbour Tours. We have also amassed what is now regarded as one of the largest collections of small naval craft, which we display on the Mast Pond, within Boathouse 4 and alongside our landing jetty adjacent to the Boathouse. The collection is maintained by a team of volunteers under the general guidance of the Trusts Historian and Boatkeeper, Mr Brian Patterson. Brian was a former dockyard shipwright and is widely published on the history of the Yard. We have extended the Trust’s collection recently by the addition of "Osborne", a steam picket boat from the former Royal Yacht owned by English Heritage. ln close consultation with National Historic Ships we are formulating a bid to acquire MTB 81 and HSL 102. We are enthusiastic about the prospect of BMPT Ltd merging with us for two reasons; firstly, we believe that the three boats presently within your care would enrich the collection and, secondly, we would be delighted to welcome your support in actively assisting with the ongoing preservation and operation of the wider collection. Our plan would be to display the BMPT Ltd boats on the Mast Pond during the summer months where they will be admired by the 600,000 to 700,000 who presently visit the Historic Dockyard. We would also hope that they could take part in events within the Historic Dockyard, as well as continuing to attend the events they have in the past. lf you do agree to the proposed merger, I can guarantee a very warm welcome to you and your fellow members. Peter Goodship Chief Executive Directors: RT Bishop, R P Ching. Mrs T Hall, E D B Jones, P Marriot. Rear Admaral Neil Rankinn CB CBE. T; L Roberton, H R Siegle (Charrman), Sir Colin Stansfield Smith CBE Chief Executive: Peter Goodship ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 12:27pm
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As you can see from the last 2 posts the BMPTrust may have found a new home. The Board have decided that as some of the information is in the public domain, it is in the best interests of all, that the whole story be available.
We apologise to any BMPT Members who have not yet received their posting.
Please bear in mind that the merger must be approved by the BMPT Memnbership, and the postal votes called for will be used at the EGM on 3rd May, to define the way ahead.
This is a very exciting developement for us, and your comments would be appreciated.
Richard Hellyer
Secretary
BMPT
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 05 April 2009 at 9:36pm
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Hi Richard,
Many thanks for your post, again, my apologies if I put my foot in it so to speak,
Johnk
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Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 7:26am
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Good morning John,
No problem, maybe a good thing we have it out in the open...dont forget to post in your response for me..!!
Richard
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 06 April 2009 at 9:28pm
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Hi Richard,
Many thanks, in the post today.
Johnk
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Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 12 May 2009 at 3:38pm
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Richard has asked that this be posted.
The British Military Powerboat Trust Ltd. http://www.bmpt.org.uk/ - mailto:pathfinder@safemariner.co.uk - 023 8089 0900. An Extraordinary General Meeting of the BMPT was held on Our President Dr Julian Lewis MP, as well as our guest Mr Peter Goodship, Chief Executive of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by Major the Hon Peter Baillie JP, and a total of 16 Members of the BMPT were in attendance. The Chairman welcomed our President and Guest, who in turn made presentations to the Members. The Members were invited to ask questions of Mr Goodship, in connection with the proposed Resolution, which questions were all answered satisfactorily. The Chairman put the Special Resolution to the Members…: “That the British Military Powerboat Trust Ltd will merge with the and asked for a show of hands in favour of the Resolution. All Members present raised their hands and Chairman duly declared the Resolution to be adopted. The Secretary advised that of the 123 postal voting forms sent out to the BMPT Membership, 89 in favour responses have been received. However, as a 100% response is required for the postal votes to count, we were only able to use the votes of the Members attending on the day. As a result of this outcome, the BMPT Board has started to take the actions required for the transfer of assets from the BMPT to the PNBPT. On Further asset transfers will take place over the coming months, with ST1502 being delivered to The final AGM of the BMPTrust will take place at This situation has come about as a result of a number of reasons. 1. Despite years of searching, we have been unable to find the Trust and its boats, a permanent home here in the 2. As the years pass, our local active Members are finding the physical requirements of manning and maintaining the boats, increasingly more of a challenge. 3. Younger people are not joining the Trust, to take up the strain. 4. The increasing financial strains on our available budget will eventually mean that we would have to start selling the Trust boats to private ownership, in order to stay viable. The past few years have been difficult ones for the BMPTrust. Whilst the name BMPTrust will cease to be, this is merely the end of our first chapter, and the beginning of a new and very exciting future for the BMPT 125 Membership, our boats and archives, within the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust. All our boats, models, photographs, boat plans will be available for all to see, and with 600,000 visitors passing through the gates of the Historic Dockyard Portsmouth annually, the Trust’s assets will go from being seen by the few, to being seen by the many. We consider therefore that we will at last be achieving the aims of the BMPTrust, albeit under the banner of the PNBPT, in a very responsible, positive, secure and long term manner.
  FMB 43957 handover: D. Ross (BMPT) R. Hellyer (BMPT) B. Patterson (PNBPT) 7th May '09 ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: Nuthatch
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 10:04am
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Hi all
Just found out about the trusts future! what a shame.... After all these years of what seems a lot of hard work! and all the negative things that have happened and now this! Well, out of the ashes.... maybe some positive things are now round the corner hope the British Military Powerboat name lives on and will not be forgotten, there's a lot of history here that should not go amist....
Hope things go well, will have to visit your new home. Whats going to happen to the web site?
Paul
and, British Military Powerboat 44320 Nuthatch ------------- Paul Hopley |
Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:23pm
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Hi Paul
Sad you consider it a "shame" that the trust has now "come to this"
We have worked very hard over many years to find a suitable home where members can visit and see the boats..we have achieved this.
The shame would be to go bankrupt and have to burn the boats surely..?
Look at the half full glass...and thank goodness we have achieved a success...I certainly feel no shame.
Richard Hellyer
Secretary BMPT
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Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:51pm
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To Paul and others that have an interest in the future of this Forum.
I have had it clearly explained to me that-
The Forum WILL continue, but will be now known as the British Military Powerboat Team.
(This I understand is to keep the 'BMPT' links viable and allow the general title to be easily recognised) - The logo's on the main pages do show that change. (The Forum logo should change soon).
I myself will continue to 'Moderate' and assist with the running of this web site to the best of my ability - (for as long as Richard requires).
Myself - I understand that not much difference will be noticed here (on the web site) - it will run under its own autonomy - with the cost's (as before) being fully borne by Richard.
Hope this will explain away any fears of 'us' losing this valuable source of information and contact.
Ted Else (Pioneer) ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 5:50pm
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Hello there,
Great to see news re the forum, such a good resource for discussion and information on coastal forces, yes, OK I think perhaps shame is a bit strong but perhaps sad in the context of not being able to continue at Southampton, such high hopes of Marchwood past and no luck in time perhaps at the dry dock site, but certainly the set up with Portsmouth the best thing, which I did vote for,
Johnk
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Posted By: Magic Fingers
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 9:15pm
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Don't forget the MTB102 Trust. We now have on strength 4 military craft and 3 Dunkirk little ships. If you care to come and play boats there is something for all but it does seem to me that getting past the Forum and actually doing some thing is very difficult. We have an excellent harbour and easy access to the big sea and may even be able to sort accommodation. Boating can be fun but it is usually very hard work!
Richard Basey, MTB102 Trust/Newsons Boatbuilders. ------------- If it ain't broke don't fix it! |
Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 8:27am
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The situation with Trafalgar Drydock is ongoing.
As with other such projects like Husbands Shipyard, RAF Hythe, Vospers, Town Pier, we have continuosly made sterling efforts to stay in Southampton.
BUT finaces (no money) as well as no place to keep the boats, have overtaken the waiting period we have had available to us here in Southampton, and as Portsmouth opened its doors to us at no cost whatsoever, we are accepting that invitation.
Remember as well that the average age of our front line troops is well into the 70's, there comes a time when enough is enough. Getting ones leg over the gunwhale of a 60 year old bucking bronco of a boat, is very difficult if not downright dangerous. We have done our very best under very difficult circumstances, and whilst our personal futures may be short in the longterm, that of our boats will hopefully be long and usefull.
As long as I can afford the cost of keeping it going, the website with Forum will be here. I have just had the site revamped, so see the Home Page as well as Yardarm.
Also see the latest addition to Tim Deacons Polish MTB story in Boat Histories.
Another MTB (or MGB as the case may be) will be on the for sale site soon, so keep looking. The site is what YOU make it..
Richard Hellyer
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 10:25am
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Hi,
Just wanted to respond to Richard and Richard, MTB 102 trust coming along great guns and as you say, vessels there in need of help right now, helping with a Dunkirk veteran myself at the moment Medway Queen, but hope to get along and give support when I can, Richard has stated clearly the situation with BMPT with which I of course quite and fully agree, the new site is great, if money becomes an issue....sure a small contribution from might be an idea, many thanks,
johnk
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Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 3:48pm
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Hi John,
Many thanks understanding of the situation.
I hope money doea not become a problem at Portsmouth as with 600,000 people per year trampng through the gates, if it is a problem we are really in trouble..many thanks anyway.
Richard
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Posted By: jimmy p
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 11:19pm
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Have to agree with both views here.
It is a shame that Richard and the others havn't been able to stay in southampton as they've put untold manhours and money into their dream(and made it a reality i should add).
It wonderful though that the BMPT is moving on to bigger and better things. The trust has along term future & the boats will be seen by more than half a million people a year who wouldn't have had the chance, wasn't that the reason for starting the trust?(ok & prob owning some serious boys toys was a bonus at the time).
Sure i could volunteer some spare weekends crawling round bilges if theres a shower & bacon sarnies at the new site
 (although won't have much spare time if plans go well). Be worth the time & fuel to learn from guys who know these boats(prob put it though books as training course lol). Would it be worth the BMPT or the MTB102 trust running classic boat restoraton & maintenance courses or is the "elf & safety" too prohibitive??
Stirling work so far folks  !! Hope i'm able & have warboat bilges to crawl in when i'm 70. Everyone who's rolled up their sleeves to get the BMPT this far has much to be proud of!!------------- A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money |
Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 11:07am
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Having looked at the options there is no doubt the best option has been taken in the interest of the Trust's future wellbeing and I congratulate the decision makers on that, as one of the people who were decidedly unhappy about the previous break up within the Trust it was a concern as to what the future held bearing in mind most of the Trust leadership left are around my own age and with the health problems that old age brings (usually the knee's go first). My unhappiness with the previous break up was more to do with the reason's why it happened, not being local to the trust base it was and still is difficult to find out the exact reason's why, the only answer's I am able to get was "contact the other party" who at the time was uncontactable or it's all in the past. The breakup was a major happening within the Trust and it was rather obvious that it would have a implications on the Trust's future and yet the courtesy a full explanation was never given to the Trust membership who were not on Site at Husband's, a few days ago a contribution was made to this forum by "Phil", for some reason I could not read his contribution and it does not appear to be on this particular post, what was the reason for this please? |
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 12:19pm
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Hello 'tramontana'
I moved the posting by 'Philip' from this category to the 'Coastal Forces' category. The reason being that 'Philip' was asking a general question about a craft named 'Sabrina' - a supposedly ex WW2 MTB.
That in my opinion had nothing to do with the discussion then developing on the future of the Trust. Philip was informed of my reasons (by PM).
------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: richard
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 1:49pm
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Good afternoon Tramantona.
Alarming that you seem not to have received the January 2004 newsletter which gives a fulsome explanation as to what happened to the Trust at that time.
If you go to the Yardarm and scroll to the bottom you will see "Newsletters"
The first letter there is the Jan 2004 Letter sent to all Members.
I hope this helps.
Richard Hellyer
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Posted By: jimmy p
Date Posted: 24 May 2009 at 1:57am
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Well ladies & gentlemen. No offence to anybody here but this thread is the future, not the past! I won't pretend to understand past problems as i wasn't there & all involved parties are now looking to the future.
All of us who love these old warboats(from dedicated restorer to modelmaker) have the same goal at heart. A better future for our history wether its buying a book on it or pulling a warboat out of the mud has to be a good thing??
Lest we forget is carved in most war memorials and our efforts on whatever scale is testament that our brothers, fathers, grandfathers or great grandfathers sacrifices will never be forgotten!
The BMPT seems a salute to all those before, during & after the war who made it possible for us to express our opinions.
Know for sure i wouldn't be so outspoken without thier sacrifice! Thank you British Heroes!! ------------- A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, into which one throws money |
Posted By: Pathfinder
Date Posted: 27 May 2009 at 9:15am
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JimmyP and Norteaster,
I have pm from you both but cannot open the messages..please use my email
mailto:pathfinder@safemariner.co.uk - pathfinder@safemariner.co.uk
and send there
Richard ------------- Pathfinder - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 27 May 2009 at 8:04pm
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Good Evening Richard, I did indeed receive the newsletter and was aware of the "problems" regarding the lease, however that is not the matter I had requested info on in the past it was more to do with the "division" with Phil Clabburn and the reasons why he "sailed" away from the Trust ( and for Jimmy P benefit) which was specifically set up to support him and his team in the preservation "initially" of HSL 102. The whole purpose of the Trust was to raise funding for this team of re-builders (both paid and voluntary) to carry out a professional re-build of of HSL102 and other future vessel's, indeed a fair amount of money was raised by the ex RAF Marine Branch Member's to aid this cause in regards to HSL 102, as far as I was aware he was the Trusts desgnated rebuilder and without wanting to upset Richard MTB 102 (which I have yet to see) the quality of the workmanship on HSL 102 is truly superb and a credit to him and his Team. The question remains( in my view and others judging by the reduced membership) is still, why did a Trust specifically set up to support this Team of Professonal Rebuilders of ex Military Craft manage to "lose" the very purpose it was set up for?.
Sometimes you have to "revisit" the past Jimmy p (and as you say you were not a Member at the time) to hopefully learn lesson's for the future
Thank You Pioneer for your answer, I just wondered why I could not "open" his contribution for the period of time it was sat in the "Trust" section.
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Posted By: Pathfinder
Date Posted: 27 May 2009 at 9:01pm
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It is 5 yeras on and we still fight the battle to survive, which was the battle we had to fight at that time. HSL 102 came to the Husbands Shipyard fully restored, as you say a beautifull boat indeed.You have to remember that HSL102, MGB81 and ST206 were, and still are in the private ownership of Powerboat Restoration, a firm which at that time was managed by PC. They were in no other way connected with BMPT other than they "lived" in the Husbands sheds or on the water close by.
However that was not the problem at all.
The problem was quite simply that the BMPT management had assumed, incorrectly, that the 125 year pepercorn rental lease on the Husbands Shipyard sheds was a done deal.
After much proding, the landlord advised us that the sheds were to be sold, and that we had ONE MONTH to move out.
As you can imagine, this left the immediate future of both the BMPT as well as Powerboat Restorations very much in serious trouble. At the same time Powerboat Restorations had taken on the job of bringing S130 to at Husbands, where they planned to restore her. During this period the owner of S130 ran out of finance, and the boat was abandoned on Trust property. Also, the Trust had taken on the restoration of FMB43957, and thanks to Robin Clabburn achieved a Heritage Lottery Grant. However, the HLF will not toleerate a trust which has received a grant, having a business run for profit operating from its property.
You will I hope now realise the situation, which was critical for the survival of both the BMPT as well as Powerboat Restorations. It was due to the sterling efforts of our then BMPT Chairman Charles du Cane, that we managed to extend BMPT notice to 2 years. We had to start immediarely with the homing of the boats as well as looking for another home for the Trust. PBR continued to keep their boats at Husbands for about a year, and for obvious reasons the progress with restoration had to be accelerated on our own boats, whilst we and PBR looked for alternative accomodation. Re the membership, we were told that the trust would only survive about 6 months, and that members would all vanish. We have, des[pite this forecast, maintained a high memembership level, and the fantastic membership support given to those of us who dared to take on the odds for so many years, is beyond belief.
The only lesson to be learnt from that time, is that you should not count your chickens until they have all hatched, and if it involves a contract DO NOT assume anything until the signed deed is on your desk with a set of keys.
I would with the greatest respect, now rather leave this subject as is where is.
There is too much which needs to be done to secure the future of our boats and membership,without the contiued return to the past.
Whilst on the membership front, it is amazing how many members, despite being asked to cease their membership direct debits, have phioned up and asked how they can continue to donate to whatever we join our boats up to..incredible.
I hope this helps. ------------- Pathfinder - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 20 June 2009 at 6:12pm
| Many thanks for the explanation Richard I think possibly the confusion arose regarding the ownership of certainly one of the vessel's (the MGB) which occured possibly due to an afternote in Powerboat 1 (Sarah Selman's) and then an article in M.B&Y (written by Nick Hall of an interview with P.C.) which gave the impression that the Trust owned the M.G.B. and P.C. was working on it on the Trust's behalf , it appears the Trust has never owned the M.G.B. and therefore funding from sources like the Lottery would be a non -starter as the Lottery does not as far as I am aware fund privatley owned vessel's. One can understand now why P.C. sailed away if he had funded the complete restoration out of his own pocket. |
Posted By: Pathfinder
Date Posted: 04 August 2009 at 10:06am
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At last the Trust and its boats and Membership have a home.
On the 25th July, at the final BMPT AGM, the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust took over responsibility for the BMPT assets and Membership.
The minutes of the AGM will soon be on the Home Page.
We are in the process of finalising the dissolution of BMPT and the mony remaining will be handed to the PNBPT when this is finalised. The money will be put toward the continued upkeep of the ex BMPT boats as well as the existing PNBPT boats.
BMPT Members will shortly receive a letter with the AGM minutes, the letter will advise of the plans made for the Membership, in order that they may continue to follow the fortunes of the expanding collection of boats at Portsmouth.
Please keep using the Trust website, and we will see what the future holds for this. There is a possibility that we may try and merge it with the PNBPT website. More anon and many thanks the supprot you have given in the past. ------------- Pathfinder - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 04 August 2009 at 1:17pm
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Hi there,
Glad to hear the meeting went well, despite all before I know, small sadness at the end of an eara but a better one to come. Many thanks,
Johnk
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 08 August 2009 at 8:10am
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Hi there, Recieved the minuets of the last AGM and the pictures which was great, glad people turned out for the meeting, regret I could not due to prior engagment. Well, there it is, Southamptons loss and Portsmouths gain, but I think the vessels have found a good home, and I thank the board for all thier hard work over the years, and the other members for thier support of the trust. Great to see the free one year membership deal, especially for MTB 102, I hope that Newsons will become a centre for restoration of our historic coastal craft, which it really already is I guess, with work to Zeta and Humber. Any there it is, thanks again and lets look forward with these two craft plus of course 102 and Medusa coming soon. All the best
Johnk |
Posted By: Nuthatch
Date Posted: 13 October 2009 at 12:25am
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Hi all
I have a few days free and was wondering what was the chances of coming down to visit Portsmouth? possibly the week end?
Many thanks
Nuthatch ------------- Paul Hopley |
Posted By: Pathfinder
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:05am
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Please note that the monthly news letters from PNBPT are shown under the "PNBPTrust" button on the front page. Events are shown under "Whats New" Richard ------------- Pathfinder - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: John Cook
Date Posted: 01 August 2010 at 8:48pm
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Portsmouth, The Reality
They have the boats - good boats, important boats, historic boats
But they did not restore these boats,
they did not shed their sweat and tears over these boats,
they did not find these boats, often left in backwaters and mud flats,
They do not deserve these boats
In the time since The Property Developer has taken charge of these craft little has happened on the positive side, but a whole lot on the negative.
As an example, RAF HSL 102 is probably the most beautiful vessel saved since the War,
since she has moved to Portsmouth, I have crewed her three times. Within six days of us arriving with her, she had signs of minor damage on her deck. A couple of months later we took her to sea to Cast Ashes of one of her WW2 crew. She seemed in need of cleaning particularly in the engine room, I personally checked her filters and pumped out the bilges.
I am now astonished to learn that three new openings have been made in her hull to allow for new filters, there is talk of having her repainted noitwithstanding the fact that her paintwork is in superb condition. Today one of my friends advised me that the craft will not be allowed at sea until the documentation has been upgraded.
What on earth is happening to this great collection of SEA GOING VESSELS?
I have one small sea going FP Launch, which has covered more miles in one month than the whole Portsmouth Collection.What a shame.
John Cook
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Posted By: Magic Fingers
Date Posted: 01 August 2010 at 10:15pm
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Surprise, surprise.
Richard.
PS. Today THE best looking boat has been sailing around the tankers anchored off the Suffolk Coast at great speed and enjoying every minute of it. She will probably do it again in a fortnight and then be off to Amsterdam for the Sail Amsterdam event. By the end of the Summer she will have clocked up about 1000mls mostly at sea. There are always places available in the crew but dreaming seems preferable to doing especially if it costs money. ------------- If it ain't broke don't fix it! |
Posted By: John Cook
Date Posted: 04 August 2010 at 9:25am
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Dear Magic Fingers,
I have said before and I will repeat 'till my tongue stiffens' that two of the Portsmouth 'bag' of boats, should have been offered to you, I now change that statement to THREE, since I am informed that the ML has been absorbed.
Had that happened, I have no doubt that at least one of the beautifully restored craft would now be flying around the East Coast and Thames Estuary where they deserve to be.
I may live to see the time when all of Portsmouth's new acquisitions will once again be sold off for houseboats or marina runabouts.
A vast number of Lottery Money projects are unfinished or just abandoned by neglect.
Just as in the case of Garth, every boat needs a hard and difficult Master who is every bit as important as the craft. Take that man away and replace him with a committee, and as the Bible says: the Racehourse will end up as a Camel.
John Cook
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 7:14pm
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Hello,
I am most conerned to hear about these vessels, a great chunk of HLF cash was secured, shall we say, to purchase them for the nation, and then read about thier treatment. I believe that Medusa is still under the Medusa Trust and is just berthed at Gunwharf Quays with the others, so dose have a dedicated group behind her, which is as you say Richard, essential and the only way such vessels can be cared for and run. I fear that despite the best intentions of the PNBPT they appear to have enough on thier plate, and having to shift to GWQ to look after them is not best. I note they also keep asking about triaining on the vessels, sure there must be plently of provision in the area, and would hope perhaps the qualified people aboard Medusa could help, but then they need to people willing to do it and run the vessels. But then the question of fuel, crewing, supplies all known to MTB 102 and Medusa of course. I think that the key again is not to have them in such a "collection" where attention has to be diluted amongst so much other work, we see that with the former collection of the now defunct Maritime Trust, the sailing barge Cambria and SS Robin, now restored or being restored by seperate and dedicated trusts.
Johnk
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Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 05 August 2010 at 7:24pm
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Hello again,
Just read latest newsletter from historic boats section PNBPT and see all work "held" as they put it on MGB81 pending resolution of issues......dose that mean she is just sitting there un-attended, with such craft as of course we know, is just not the thing to do, at least weekly attendance to check condition, exterior lines and fenders and bilges etc. As per above and from their newsletter, I fear they simply have not the resources to care for these craft, let alone run them and we may see as you say, moves to lay up ashore. OK, I know, arm chair comments, am not in a position to take on such craft myself, am working on a "small" project albeit not a coastal forces craft in my defence, but aware dose not help the situation practically in this case.
Johnk
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Posted By: Pathfinder
Date Posted: 07 August 2010 at 9:16pm
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Gentlemen, May I suggest that the facts are ascertained before conclusions are jumped to. There are issues being dealt with at this time, and I will make every effort to obtain an update as to the situation with regard to the group of boats in the care of PNBPT, and advise, in due course. Richard (H) ------------- Pathfinder - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 10 August 2010 at 10:16pm
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Hi there,
That's great, like to hear the facts for sure, people just concerned with the state of these vessels,
Johnk
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Posted By: medusa
Date Posted: 15 August 2010 at 1:42pm
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Just to make sure everyone is correctly informed, ML1387 Medusa is owned and operated by the Medusa Trust which is a registered charity with no formal connection to any other organisation. Medusa is looked after and crewed by members of its support group. She is presently berthed at Gunwharf to give the public maximum visibility of her and we have had a lot of positive comment on her appearance.
Alan ------------- Alan |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 16 August 2010 at 9:03am
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Many thanks Alan for the post, sure GWQ is a great location for the Medusa to be seen by the public, Johnk |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 16 August 2010 at 12:12pm
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Just read on Practical Motor Boat forum that HSL 102 and MGB81 will be bringing two of the people from the All at Sea programme to the Southampton Boat show this year, good news, be great to see them up and running albeit a short trip, but good PR for the vessels.
Johnk
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