OPINION
PPL IMAGESProtect our most famous yachts
Why is there so little protection afforded to our most
famous yachts, writes Barry Pickthall, most notably
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Suhaili?
Three famous yachts: Gipsy Moth IV, the 54ft (16.5m) ketch
in which Sir Francis Chichester became the first to complete
a solo circumnavigation in 1966/67 with just one stop; Lively
Lady, the 36ft (11m) cutter in which Sir Alec Rose did much
the same in 1967/68; and Suhaili, the 32ft 5in (9.9m)
double-ended ketch in which Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
became the first to sail around the world solo without
stopping, winning the Golden Globe Race in 1968/69.
Only two of those three are on Britain's principal list of
historic vessels, the National Historic Ships Register,
leaving Suhaili with unprotected status. This is because
Suhaili, while big enough to breast 60ft (18m) waves in
the Southern Ocean, remains a vital seven inches
(17.8cm) too short to meet the register’s criteria on
length of 33ft (10m) and more than 50 years old. Even
Moitessier's yacht Joshua – essentially the runner-up
boat in the Golden Globe Race – enjoys ‘national
treasure’ status in France.
Sir Robin, though hale and hearty at the age of 77, is
beginning to wonder what will happen to Suhaili after he
has gone. He is currently mid-way through a self-funded
major restoration of Suhaili to have her ready to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of his incredible voyage.
This will be marked by a festival of sail on 14 June, 2018,
in Falmouth, to which Golden Globe rivals, Bernard
Moitessier’s 39ft (11.9m) French yacht Joshua, Loïck
Fougeron’s 30ft (9m) Captain Browne and John
Ridgway’s 30ft English Rose IV have all been invited,
together with Gipsy Moth IV and Lively Lady. In addition,
the 30 or so competitors entered into the 2018 Golden
Globe Race, which starts from Falmouth two days later,
will also be paying homage. Suhaili has been the
inspiration for all of them to enter the race.
Martyn Heighton, secretary of National Historic Ships
(NHS), keeper of the register, points out that in
exceptional circumstances boats under 33ft (10m) will
make the list and hinted that Suhaili will soon make the
grade. As we went to press in fact, the NHS register as a
whole was starting a period of detailed analysis to make
it “more representative and understandable” Heighton
told CB. “This will include more detailed statements of
significance”. When you consider that the register
numbers something in the region of 1,800 vessels, this is
not a job that is going to happen overnight. It is
important to note that vessels on the Register are not
specifically eligible for any protection or funding,
although they are potential recipients of the small cash
grants NHS is able to make, and benefit from the
register's high status. If there's one thing, however, that
they have in common, it is the struggle to raise funds to
safeguard their futures. Boats under 33ft (10m) are
eligible for the National Small Boat Register run by the
National Maritime Museum Cornwall, which has no age
stipulation. That list numbers well over 1,000 vessels.
The real issue, Heighton thinks, is the lack of any legal
protection for operational (as opposed to static) vessels
which can be listed in the same manner as buildings.
There is presently no sign of that situation changing. In the
meanwhile, you might consider listing your vessel on one
or other register. See nationalhistoricships.org.uk and
nmmc.co.uk for the National Small Boat Register.Above, L-R:
Suhaili, with
Lively Lady and
Gipsy Moth IV
together in 2005