News

At the request of the SBA Committee, SBA Services Limited (The SBAS) have instigated a new service to allow Overseas Visitors to SBA Events to obtain temporary Boiler Test Certificates from the SBAS.

These will be known as "TISRs" (Temporary Inspection Scheme Reports) and are provided under the normal Boiler Inspection Scheme. They can be valid for up to 60 days, need to be applied for typically 60 days before they are needed.

Such test can be requested via the Scheme Administrator, and you can see the updated booklet (Version 7.08, dated 29th May 2024), which describes the process and charges) on the SBAS pages of the site or download it from here

Malcolm Duckett, Company Secretary SBA Services Limited

Waverley, the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer, has been awarded the prestigious status of National Flagship of the Year by National Historic Ships UK. The award recognises the breadth and geographic coverage of Waverley’s sailings in addition to the extended sailing programme planned for 2024 with a record beating seventy ports and piers included within this year’s cruising itinerary.

There are some slightly adjusted draft accounts now on the website on the Events page/2024 AGM

Your  (ill-informed) webmaster (hidden in darkest Cumbria) has just discovered a new set of islands in the South West Pacific Ocean - these are known as "New Zealand".

More importantly we have (at least) 13 SBA Members who are located there... so (somewhat belatedly) we have added "New Zealand" as an area you can select in your profile (Primary or Secondary Area of Interest).

So, we have also created an Area Page and Discussion Forum for our members there. We still need to find an Area Representative, so if you can help with this, follow the link on the New Zealand Area Page to make yourself known!

We received the following from  Delena Weldon in Australia, who asked if we could publicise the her note:

Queensland Australia re: steamboat set to be scrapped.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-13/brisbane-river-historic-tug-boat-forceful-to-be-scrapped/101946660

Hello, I'm writing from Queensland Australia, grasping at straws for help to save the Forceful tug boat, in Brisbane Queensland. The above link will explain what is to happen to her in a months' time.

I have included the Forceful's details, she was built in Glasgow, and maybe this will help with someone in the UK being interested.

Thank you for listening. My contact details are as follows.

Delena Weldon
19 Pine St
Miles Qld 4415
Ph: 0408989437
email: delenawelodn@gmail.com

I am delighted to report that Roger Mallinson, Chairman of The Shamrock Trust and Honorary Member of the SBA has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours.

The citation is “Chair and Boat Manager, The Shamrock Trust. For services to Steam Boating Heritage and the community in Cumbria”.

Roger Calvert

Faye Beerling’s “Adventures of the Medway Queen” is a summary of the ship’s history in story form, aimed at primary school children. Faye specialises in children’s books with a historical theme written in association with museums and collections.

In our new book, Jasmine, with her friend Peter and Peter’s Mum, visit Medway Queen at Gillingham Pier and take the tour of the ship.

“Adventures of the Medway Queen” will be launched at Gillingham Pier on Saturday October 8th. It is planned that the author, Faye Beerling, will be on hand to sign books and chat to her readers and all are welcome.

www.medwayqueen.co.uk

A skipper from Liverpool who has put his life's work into restoring a historic steamship has been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal in honour of his achievement on Saturday 3 September 2022).

Captain Dan Cross has received the prestigious Merchant Navy Medal for his efforts in restoring the iconic SS Daniel Adamson, which first set sail in 1903. Through Dan’s restoration efforts, he has supported young people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn, participate and eventually volunteer as part of the ship’s crew and go on to lead careers in engineering and across the maritime sector.

We cooperated with JSC of Poland in the design and production of their latest card kit featuring HMS Medway Queen and 3 other Dunkirk ships. These kits are now available through MQPS in support of the Medway Queen’s preservation and have been announced on our website and Facebook page.

https://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/news

https://www.facebook.com/TheMedwayQueenPreservationSociety

Mark Rudall and five others headed to Trossachs Pier for the first ‘Sir Walter’s Workweek’. They had a fascinating time and were part of the process to set the iconic Scottish pleasure steamer on course towards steaming once again in the autumn.  Read Mark's comprehensive report on the SBA website here. But she needs more help: is this something for you? If it is, talk to SBA Committee member Adrian Greco who will be delighted to hear from you.