Newsletter May 2008

We have moved on with regard to our new premises, and the Trust is now afloat and on the move.
We could only afford one outboard motor, but we think that as we increase the number of outboards to say 6, we should be able to get the office to plane!
The added benefit of extra lift supplied by the upper”wing” will assist to conserve fuel. (Thanks to Erik in France for the picture, appropriately ”doctored” by our web team)

Joking aside, we have re-negotiated the on going lease at the Marchwood facility, and our office and stores containers, as well as the FMD “Dainty” remain on site until March 2010.
We are lucky in that ST1502 has permission to remain on the pontoon mooring at Marchwood, until 2010.
FMB43957.
As you are aware, the engine and gearbox in this boat needed to be replaced. Our efforts to find an original PerkinsP6 ended up with the fire at the Hythe boatyard destroying all we had collected in this regard.
However, we have been extremely lucky in that Perkins have offered us a new engine and gearbox, at cost price.
This way forward has been considered as it will mean that the boat will be operational for a much longer period of time with a new installation, than it would be with an old reconditioned installation.

The problems with finding replacement parts and servicing for an old engine and gearbox will not arise, as the new installation is easily serviced with parts and experience.

This proposal was put to both the Board as well as the HLF, and agreement has been reached that we may proceed.
This however required a completely new attempt to raise funds. The cost of the new installation will be £2721.00.

The cost to have the engine and gearbox installed, as well as to have the new instrument panel, control cables and electrical wiring installed by a professional boatyard will be in the region of £2000.00.
Once again, the proposal to use a professional yard rather than “drop it in” ourselves, seemed a sensible way forward, to ensure that the job be done professionally, and in such a manner that will allow a secure operational future for the boat.

The Board agreed to this, and after obtaining a number of quotes, a yard at Bucklers Hard was selected to do the work.
The boat has been stored at the Hythe Marine Park ( the old RAF Hythe) thanks to the efforts of our Director, David Ross, Whilst there, the old engine and gearbox were removed, and the oil and hydraulic fluids which had “escaped” were cleaned up. The steering gear was repaired by David, and is now operational. Our time at this yard was restricted to the end of May, and on the 22nd May, the boat was trailered away to the Bucklers Hard Boat Yard, where she is now stored.

The total funding required to complete the work amounts to about £5000.00, and to this end very high profile fund raising efforts are under way. We have enough raised so far to agree the contract with the Bucklers Hard Boat Yard, and to buy in the parts required to get the work under way.
We will however need to work very hard to raise the balance required to achieve our target, and any assistance you may be able to offer will be greatly appreciated.

We do not as yet have a target completion date. The clock will not start ticking until we have placed our order, as the engine and gearbox will be built for us.
We anticipate a lead time of about 2 months for the build, so the possibility is that August could see the boat in full operation, on the Solent.
In the meantime however the yard will get the boat ready to receive the new installation.

ST1502.
This boat has been very busy this year, and she seems to be holding her own with regard to running cost funding. We do need however, to have her more operational in order to raise funding to cover her insurance, as well as the long term repair and maintenance costs which we must anticipate, will arise.
The boat has recently been used by Meridian TV for a documentary on the life and time of T.E.Lawrence, and his time at the BPCo in Hythe.

It is thanks to the 1502 team that she is well looked after, and runs well, but we are going to have to seek more members who will be prepared take an interest in the boats generally. None of us are getting any younger, and the sad thing is that we do not seem to be attracting any young blood into the Trust.
This situation is not helped, in that we do not  have a permanent home to call our own, and the ability to offer new members something to do, and somewhere to do it, is very limited.
We are extremely lucky in that the Brockenhurst College have very kindly offered us a short term home in their Hardley site, and we use this regularly for our meetings, as well as to store a variety of items which need to be worked upon.
We are extremely grateful to the College for this facility.
We are also extremely grateful to Colonel Start, Officer Commanding the Marchwood Military Port, who has continued to offer us sanctuary for our containers, and most importantly, a mooring for ST1502.
Our lease at Marchwood has been extended to March 2010, but after that date we need to have a plan in place for a move.
Without all of these kind gestures, we would be in a very precarious situation indeed.
It is to this end that the Board asks for ideas, as to how best manage the future of the Trust.
Your comments and suggestions would be most welcome.

2008 AGM.
The 2008 AGM date has been set as Sunday 23rd November.
Thanks to the efforts of Clive Frampton, the Waterside restaurant in Holbury has been booked for this event.
Further information in this regard will be circulated closer to the time, but please put this date in your diary.

Web site.
The Trust web sit www.bmpt.org.uk is a very active and popular place to visit. We have recently introduced a short Pathe News clip of an air sea rescue “advert” from 1940’s, which shows 142 at speed…go and have a look.
All items for the site are welcome, and any photographs or historical memories can be added to the site. The CFVA have their newsletters on our site at the moment, and it is a privilege to host these gallant gentlemen.

Membership.
We have 124 members at the time of writing, and would like to thank you all for your continued support, and donations towards, our efforts to keep thing going.
Your support is vital to the continued existence of the Trust, thank you.
We hope you will be able to join us at the AGM, where we will make every effort to have both boats working .
If you would be interested in taking a trip in the boats, please could you let us know well in advance, as this will need to be arranged to fit in with the AGM proceedings.

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