HSL102, one of two historic World War 2 rescue boats owned by Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, is to be given a new lease of life with the installation of brand new engines. HSL102, a former air-sea rescue launch which saved the lives of many downed pilots during the Battle of Britain, was rescued for the nation in 2009 with the aid of a generous grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. With support from Gunwharf Quays Marina, PNBPT has carried out extensive work to enable her to be MCA coded for public use, but she now needs new engines. Mermaid Marine of Poole has offered the Trust a very competitively priced 'turnkey' solution for supplying and fitting the engines, refitting the boat's drive train, and other associated works. This will improve HSL102's reliability, fuel consumption and emissions, and hopefully guarantee her operational life for many years to come. Peter Goodship, Chief Executive of PNBPT, said 'In these challenging times it is never easy to commit large sums of money, especially when they are un-budgeted. However, HSL102 is a truly unique boat which we hold in trust for the nation. The Trustees wished to see her remain afloat and operational for the benefit, enjoyment and use of future generations'.
It is anticipated that HSL102 will re-enter service in the spring of next year. For further details contact Nick Hewitt, Head of Attractions and Collections at Portsmouth Naval Base property Trust 07718 158619 nh@pnbpt.co.uk
World War 2 war boat MGB81, the 'Spitfire of the Seas', enters an exciting new phase of restoration Rescued from obscurity as a derelict houseboat, MGB81 is one of a dwindling number of historic 'power boats which remain afloat and operational. Owner Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, generously funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and supported by Gunwharf Quays Marina, has now begun the restoration of her wartime appearance by fitting replica weapons and other essential equipment. Once this work is complete, MGB 81 will be restored to her World War 2 appearance when she supported the Normandy 'D-Day' landings in June 1944. MGB81 remains a powerful reminder of those challenging days but sadly cannot remain afloat and operational indefinitely. PNBPT's therefore intends to bring her seagoing career to an end on a high note. In 2014, the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the Trust aims to take MGB81 on a tour of the former D-Day embarkation ports along the south coast of England, before travelling with a 'crew' of veterans to Normandy to take part in the anniversary commemorations. Afterwards, MGB81 will enter a new phase of her life, gracefully retiring to display ashore in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where she can be viewed by thousands of visitors every year. This historic vessel's last journey will be a major challenge and Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust will shortly be launching an appeal to fund
extensive work on her propulsion systems, hull and upperworks, to ensure she is a fitting tribute to all of those who sailed in Coastal Forces and other small craft during World War 2. For further details contact Nick Hewitt, Head of Attractions and Collections at Portsmouth Naval Base property Trust 07718 158619 nh@pnbpt.co.uk
Some fine photographs of 147 class boats of the 7th FTPB Squadron at Kiel, including P6097 "Puma". Also, a pack of 140 class boats on their last detachment, passing "Puma" at 45 knots, shortly before these boats were taken out of service. Photos sent in by Ralf Kroeling, who served on "Puma" as helmsman 1974/1975.
Our thanks to Ralf.
FMB 5004 starts to take shape at PNBPT again
FMD 5004 was the third of four craft built by Woodnutts, Isle of Wight.
Completed on the 26th April 1951.
Allocated to the Daring class destroyer D108, HMS Dainty.
HMS Dainty was built by J S White, launched 16th August 1950, and scrapped 1972.
This item is not powerboat by nature, but the facts are such, that I thought it relevant to the efforts made to rescue aircrew from the sea, by ASR and others.
HSL102 back on the water after an intensive 3 week maintenance session at Endeavor Quay, Gosport.
The engines have been repaired and serviced, the underwater hull repaired and antifouled, the hull polished and the deck and accommodation sanded down and painted.
She will be surveyed on the 25th March, for coding to carry fare paying passengers. If you are interested in sailing on her, please let us know. We exceeded 30knots on trials.
An urgent call for a good home...
see HLD 3819 on boats for sale- click here
E-Boats in action, visit this fascinating site, "Filme" - Click here
The Evolution of the 20th Century Gunboat
The Society for nautical Research (South) is organising a conference on the above topic, at the Royal Naval Museum Portsmouth, on Saturday the 9th April 2011. Contact details on the brochure. All welcome. >> Click here <<
We are going to show the news letters from the Museum of the Royal Navy, covering the small boats which they actively operate, in Portsmouth.
For many of us, these photographs will bring back many memories, and are the fulfilment of our old peoples BMPT dreams..!
On October the 10th, RASC Humber was returned to the water at the Newsons boatyard (owned by the MTB102 Trust) where she has been kept, in Lowestoft. Humber came to the BMPT Husbands Shipyard sheds in Marchwood, from the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth, where she was a static exhibit.
She was handed over to BMPT by the Army, and instated inside the big shed, where she was available for all to see and visit onboard. When the time came for our move out of Husbands Shipyard, with no home for her, she was kindly bought by one of our members Mr George Black, who promised that she would return to the water one day.
Mr Black has subsequently handed ownership of the boat over to the MTB102 Trust, of which Trust he is a Trustee. The boat floats very well, the few leaks fading away as the hull takes up.
The plan is to put the 2 Perkins engines with gearboxes attached, purchased from the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust 18 months ago, into the boat, in the near future. We will keep you updated as things happen, on this site. Visit the MTB102 website, see the bottom of the home page of this site.
The Southampton Boat show took place between the 10th and 19th September 2010. Both HSL102 as well as MGB81 were present, and here they are, on show. We were privileged to have 4 Veterans with us at the opening of the show, and many show visitors took the opportunity to come aboard both boats.
MGB 81 under way, using 2 engines, at the Southampton Boat show. The centre engine is unserviceable at this time.
Supersonic Car Joins Navy Days 2010 Line-Up! Click here for further information...
Click here for event advert on Navy Days 2010... and Click here for further information on their website.
Armed Forces Day
Saturday 26th June 2010
2pm-4.30pm
FREE EVENT in Victory Arena - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Once again the National Museum of the Royal Navy, at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, is welcoming veterans of all ages to mark Armed Forces Day on the 26th June, only this year it will be bigger and better than ever!........
We receive many queries re historic boats, which can, often as not, be best answered by reference to the publications listed here. These publications are available to you by contacting the email address provided, and are well worth adding to your library, for their fascinating content.
ML1387 afloat again, and under way. Re-launched at 10:30 on March 1st 2010 after a long restoration, at the Hythe Boatyard near Southampton. Mike Boyce and Alan Watson have done a magnificent job getting her so well finished. Long may she sail.
HDML 1387 Medusa on the slip at Hythe Southampton, ready for launch on March 1st 2010, after a long restoration.
Click here to read an interesting article from Australia.
If anyone can be of assistance, please get in touch with Ted Browne - send an email.
HMVS Cerberus. 1868.
The British Military Powerboat Trust and the merger with the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust 2009
The British Military Powerboat Trust (BMPT) was formed in 1999, and secured premises at the Husbands Shipyard sheds, Marchwood, Southampton.
The object was to create a centre of excellence covering the restoration of military powerboats, and display these both on the water, as well as in a museum scenario....
The British Powerboat Company existed at hythe near southampton from before WW2. During the war the company built fast attack craft, and here is the story of one employed there, during that time. Should you have any comments, or know of anyone else who could add their history, please click on the links to contact either Tony Martin or Richard Hellyer.
Coastal Motorboat Heritage Trust.
As our website has not been updated for a while, we have asked the BMPTeam for assistance in this respect.
See our latest news about MGB 81 and HSL 102, RASC 34 Garth, and our Chatham Trip (we were regrettably unable to undertake this trip, due to adverse weather conditions).
Memories of RAF Marine Craft.
Here is a personal history from one who served in RAF Marine craft - click for PDF.
There are surely, many reading this who must have tales to tell?
By recording them, we can keep history alive for those who have no idea
what went on so long ago.
Please let me know if you would like to add your history to these pages.
Richard. Click here to send an email
After many years searching, we are finally able to offer you a place to find us.
Whilst we are no longer the British Military Powerboat Trust as you will have known us, we are now merged with, and part of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.
This is situated in the Historic Dockyard Portsmouth, and may be found from the link on the Home page. Our boats are added to the expanding boat collection at the Historic Dockyard, and we hope that you will come and visit the Dockyard and experience all the historic attractions contained within its ancient walls.
Thank you all for your support, and of this website, and we hope that you will continue to use it. We will be adding the PNBPT newsletters, as well as the boats in the PNBPT collection, to Yardarm.
ST1502 berthed at Shed 4, with the masts of HMS Victory visible top left.
Many have asked if the website will continue after the Trust has closed down...
Thanks to the expertise of our web provider Forest Design we have been able to change to British Military Powerboat Team, so the BMPT, and www.bmpt.org will remain in active service for as long as you all make use of the site.
My direct email will remain as is (click here), and any suggestions or news items should be posted on the appropriate Forum discussion module.
The motto "use it or lose it" will be the motivator, so it is up to you. Many thanks for all the support so far, and I hope the site will continue to give good service for a while yet. Richard Hellyer.
On the 11th July, ST1502 attended the Regimental Family Day at Marchwood. The boat took out a number of service families for a trip on the Solent. Here our Chairman Peter baillie, our president Julian Lewis MP, Colonel Ed Newman, crew Joshua Armstrong and Terry Ford prepare for their trip. It was miserable weather day, as was the previous Family Day, but still enjoyed by many.
With the loss of our BMPT shed facility at Marchwood, we were very lucky to have been offered a home for the RASC Humber, by one of our members.
George Black took ownership of the boat and her correct launching trailer, and bore the cost of having her removed by road to his large farm shed in Norfolk. She has been well looked after there for a number of years, and has now been moved to a boatyard for renovation to active service. George has had her removed from his farm to the MTB102 Trust/Newsons Boatyard in Lowestoft.
The photographs show her exiting the farm, and arriving in the boatyard. The twin photo shows her in Hong Kong. George advises that she will retain her original blue hull colour. The intention is to get her fit to float, then launch her to the new pontoons at Newsons. Here the 2 Perkins S6 engines bought from the PNBPT in Portsmouth will be fitted. We look forward to seeing her in full flight on the water again, in company with MTB102, and eventually ST477.
FMD5004, a 16ft Fast Motor Dinghy, was delivered by road to the PNBPT on the 9th July 2009. Brian Patterson was on hand to receive the boat from Richard Hellyer.
FMD5004 served on the Daring class destroyer HMS Dainty, and on retirement from the ship, was allocated to serve in the Portsmouth Dockyard for many years.
Retired from the Royal Navy, she went into private ownership, before being offered to the BMPT. She has been partly restored. It is hoped that her restoration can be continued in Portsmouth.
On the 7th May 2009, FMB43957 (Ark Royal) was delivered by road to the Historic Dockyard Portsmouth.
Brian Patterson of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust was on hand to receive the boat from Richard Hellyer and David Ross.
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