The restoration of the Archibald and Alexander M Paterson is scheduled to take the next five years, however most of the restoration project is cosmetic, over the next few weeks I will post more and more detailed pictures from inside the boat, her engine room etc.
Please take some time to sign the guest book, your comments will be appreciated and if you have any questions please ask.

About me.

Well I live and work in South Gloucestershire I am 37 years old and an Ex RNLI crewmember, I had been looking for an old lifeboat for the past 3 years.

What is Required??

Personally I am looking for someone in the local area (Bristol) who is capable of replacing double diagonal planking and working along side me, I would like to be involved as she is so beautifully built the art of boat building using traditional methods is I think dying and after 50 years afloat she is a testament to the craftsmen that built her and to the services and lives saved. All the cosmetic work will be completed by me and my family over a much longer term, the aim is or was to have the hull repaired and to take her to the Bristol Regatta in early August, but I think that may be wishful thinking on my part!!
Anyone with spare Antifouling, or oxford blue, or lifeboat orange??
You will be mentioned!!

Many time's I had searched a web site called "nelsonsboats," ( www.nelsonsboats.co.uk ) owned and run by Quinton Nelson and maintained by Gordon Burns, both owners of Ex RNLI Lifeboats.
Now both Quinton and Gordon are very knowledgeable guy's always willing to help and advise. If you are looking for an old lifeboat my very best advice is to contact them.

The Historic Lifeboat Association

As a result of the interest in these old ladies of the sea we now have an ever growing Historic Lifeboat Association, again founded by Quinton and Gordon, with a regular news letter, many owners have lots of advice and are always willing to share information and knowledge, we can be found visiting events and regattas around the UK and Ireland, in the Summer months.
Many these old boats have been bought by private individuals many of them Ex RNLI crew with a passion to save and restore them, they make wonderful projects, but beware they are demanding!!
I have looked at many restored old lifeboats and among the boating fraternity the comments you get from people make it truly worth while, one such comment we received while on our passage home from Fishguard to Portishead, we were about to leave the lock in Swansea when someone on a passing yacht shouted "what a beautiful boat where was she stationed" I politely answered there questions, realising her true potential and her historic value and feeling so proud to be part her life and the people who so lovingly restore these old lifeboats " I could have cried"!! not easy for me to admit, but I had a deep down strange feeling that was hard to control, a deep breath and out to sea we went!

Our boat is secure now, and we hope that she will live on as she was originally and in her original colours, in Portishead marina you will find two other fine examples of restored lifeboats, the Douglas Currie a Solent class, and the John Gellaty Hyndman another Barnett class lifeboat and the sister shop to our boat.

A Piece of History

Mentioned above the John Gellaty Hyndman Ex Stronsay Lifeboat, built at the same time as our boat and in the same building as sister ships they left J.S Whites yard in Cowes on the isle of weight for there respective stations.
Archibald and Alexander M Paterson Stromness Lifeboat
John Gellaty Hyndman Stronsay Lifeboat

Built together, left for respective stations together, now after almost 50 years in the same home Port. We are planning an event to celebrate this, all three boats will be together at the end of June.

With Thanks

First of all I must thank my partner Pam, who loves the sea and anything to do with boats, but most importantly she has supported me in making my dream come true,

Then to my passage crew for our first journey

Thanks to my Dad who helped on the passage home keeping us all supplied with large quantities of hot tea day and night.

Thanks to Garry who gave up valuable holiday time and his knowledge in these old craft helped us to make the passage safely.

Thanks to John Davies

John made an absolute perfect passage plan, executed it to perfection got us home in good time and had plenty of advice and was always in good spirit. Check out Johns Web site
www.modelboatbuilder.co.uk

Thanks to Tenby Lifeboat Crew
Who escorted us into Tenby in the dark when we were having fuel problems.

Thanks to Fishguard lifeboat crew

For the help that they gave us in boarding our boat in Fishguard harbour.

Acknowledgements

For persons or companies helping in this restoration Project.

Thanks to,

Hamilton Power wash for the weekend loan of a commercial pressure washer. Call Ray on 07973 612904
Mobile pressure washing.