News
1st September 2017
Register of Historic Vessels
I am very pleased to announce that ST437 has been accepted onto the National Register of Historic Vessels in recognition of her place in this nation's rich maritime history. Our registration number is 3500.
www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/
18th November 2017
Change of Name
Following a delightful exchange of letters, I am thrilled to announce that Dame Vera Lynn has graciously given her blessing to ST437 bearing her name. Therefore, at the re-launch of 437 (maybe five years hence...), we will also be holding a re-naming ceremony when she will cease to be known as 'Abakama' and will assume the name 'Dame Vera Lynn'.
Thank you Dame Vera.
12th June 2020
Old Friends
At the start of the coronavirus 'lockdown' in April, I was contacted by a gentleman who wife's family - the Howell Jones' - owned Vera, then Abakama, of course, between 1968 and 1986. They were thrilled to discover that, not only is Vera still in existence, she is being given a new lease of life.
Each of the three 'children' (now middle-aged) wrote to me with fond memories of their childhood on board Vera (Abakama); of the day-trips, the near disasters and mostly about the central part Vera played in their summers over that period.
They kept her at Porthcawl, where she had been stationed during the war, in waters with which she was very familiar.
Hopefully, when this current crisis is over, they will come and visit her, see the progress being made and regale me with even more stories from her past.
They did send me this postcard showing Porthcawl harbour in the sixties with Vera (Abakama) front and centre. She looks marvellous in her blue and white paint and we can see the beaching legs in use.
13th June 2020
Southampton International Boat Show 2023
Crazy - no news for three years and then, like buses, two bits come along at once!
I have recently been in touch with the organiser's of the Southampton Boat Show, asking if they offer free berths to interesting and good causes, such as Vera. By return they said yes, they do and that Vera, having been built in Southampton, was exactly the sort of attraction they would like to include.
Nothing definite yet, of course, 2023 being so far in the future, but I have got in early and the runes are good...
