Signals from the fleet
Latest highlights from grants, archives, and member projects.
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Community Voices
A memorial ceremony in Grimsby will mark the 85th anniversary of the loss of HMT Othello, alongside a linked ceremony in Bridlington for HMS Yorkshire Belle.
Fleet Updates
Members can now use the WVA iPhone app to complete Youth Skills activities and follow the latest news updates in one place.
Fleet Updates
A 1929 classic motor yacht listing cites Admiralty requisition in 1940 and a possible Dunkirk evacuation role.
Fleet Updates
Helinda’s documented wartime timeline from requisition in September 1939 through lay-up after VE Day makes her service history unusually clear and important.
Fleet Updates
This is a third-party award programme run by National Historic Ships UK, with applications open from 16 February to 15 March 2026.
Community Voices
The 1943 ex RAF Special Duties Pinnace, now Carimuda, was seen at Brentford Dock and is currently advertised for sale as a houseboat.
Community Voices
A community appeal reports former RAF launch 2748 in poor condition and seeks owner contact to explore rescue and completion.
Fleet Updates
A rare WWII-era motor boat listing has been shared with custodians and maritime heritage volunteers.
Fleet Updates
A newly shared listing notes RAF wartime rescue service, adding major heritage significance for potential custodians.
Fleet Updates
Warrior’s long service arc from Admiralty commission to modern restoration has been added as a recommended history resource.
Fleet Updates
The vessel listing notes Sheemaun’s wartime role with the Royal Navy Thames Auxiliary Patrol Service.
Fleet Updates
From the 2026 awardees, two wartime-connected vessels stand out: HMS Cavalier and Massey Shaw.
Fleet Updates
The Association highlights National Historic Ships UK’s 20th anniversary and its ongoing impact on maritime preservation.
Community Voices
A January post and period article prompt fresh questions about the fate of hundreds of Coastal Forces craft after the war.
Fleet Updates
ONA II (1931) is a newly highlighted Dunkirk Little Ship listing.
Fleet Updates
A January update reports progress on the Coastal Forces monument project over the Christmas period.
Fleet Updates
Warrior’s record connects pre-war naval construction, Operation Dynamo service, and modern restoration of a nationally important small craft.
Fleet Updates
Annanetta’s wartime service and survival story align closely with the Association’s mission to protect and interpret historic working craft.
Fleet Updates
The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust has launched fundraising for a new Coastal Forces monument.
Fleet Updates
Hilfranor (1935) is newly listed at £149,950.
Fleet Updates
Lady Isabelle (1930) is listed as a Dunkirk Little Ship at £85,000.
Community Voices
A September 2025 post reported former Royal Navy Ham Class inshore minesweeper HMS Sidlesham (1955) on the bottom at Chelsea.
Fleet Updates
ABERDONIA (1935) is newly listed with price on application (POA).
Community Voices
A further update identifies former RAF launch 2748 as an RTTL and describes chains through the hull to haul her up the slipway for breakup.
Community Voices
A July 2025 follow-up post reports that former RAF launch 2748 was broken up.
Community Voices
Whaleback for the World reports S32 has been raised and moved from immediate breakup risk, with urgent fundraising now focused on haul-out.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post shared a 2003/4 photo of Thornycroft 75ft MTB 52 “Marne” at Shoreham, with build and disposal details.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post shared an image of “Talisman” MTB 455 on the River Itchen with concern over what happened when the tide returned.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post shared a 2010 image of Sungo on the River Itchen at Cobden Bridge, Southampton.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post shared photos of houseboat Skylark being broken up on Hayling Island, with confirmed BPB yard-number details.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post asked for help identifying a 2001 Hayling Island photo, with comments identifying the craft as HSL 2561 “Blue Leader.”
Community Voices
A March 2025 post shared an archive photo of MTB 245 and noted her WW2 service in the 22nd MTB Flotilla.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post shared a current view of Fontenay, identified as MGB118 / MTB437.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post shared three 2001 photos of Fonteney (MTB 437), plus an image of Skylark shortly before she ceased to be.
Community Voices
A March 2025 post reported the final loss of Golden Galleon after earlier restoration to WW2 Royal Navy livery.
Fleet Updates
A States of Guernsey release confirms a Liberation Day re-enactment of Force 135’s 1945 arrival, including Rummy III (HMS Flycatcher).
Community Voices
A community post revisits former RAF High Speed Launch 145, reported to have rescued 486 airmen and others during WWII.
Community Voices
A February 2025 post shared a location point for another reported vessel loss.
Community Voices
A community photo post dated 2 February 2025 highlighted image reference 2656.
Community Voices
A community photo post dated 2 February 2025 highlighted image reference 2605.
Community Voices
A November 2024 post highlighted Chuzzlewit, a 1944-built ex British Army Service Corps rescue launch, photographed at Twickenham.
Fleet Updates
A September 2024 post highlighted a possible WWII MTB hull in the River Adur, with concern that another artefact could be lost.
Community Voices
A post dated 12 August 2024 recorded MTB 208, built in 1942, at Platts Eyot.
Community Voices
An earlier May 2024 post highlighted the former Thorneycroft MTB works at Platts Eyot, near Hampton Court.
Fleet Updates
Mary Scott (1925) is currently listed at £49,950.
Community Voices
A January 2024 post shared photos of RAF rescue launches at RAF Hendon, including craft 2757 and pinnace 1374.
Fleet Updates
The Dunkirk Little Ship Felicity has been highlighted with links to both listing details and ADLS vessel information.
Community Voices
British Council archive film offers a strong insight into the wartime effort behind Britain's little ships.
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