Vigilance of Brixham wins top honour at Classic Boat Awards
The historic sailing trawler Vigilance of Brixham has won a major honour at the annual Classic Boat Awards, taking first place in the category for boats that have achieved more than a century afloat.
The awards, held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London on Tuesday evening (14th.) are widely regarded as the “Oscars” of the sailing world.
Accepting the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenarian of the Year award, Rob Murray, Chair of the Vigilance Trustees, praised the craftsmanship behind the vessel’s revival:
“It’s a huge honour to receive this award, and I’d like to thank the readers of Classic Boat magazine for voting for us. I also want to pay tribute to the highly skilled shipwrights at Stirling and Son Limited of Devonport, who spent three years meticulously restoring Vigilance. We must also not forgetthe many volunteers who have worked tirelessly to save this historic vessel and are still completing the final touches below decks.”
He also acknowledged the vital support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, whose grants totalling £1.4 million made the restoration possible. “Without their generous support, this important vessel would have been lost forever,” he said.
Built in 1926, Vigilance was the last sailing trawler constructed at Upham’s shipyard in Brixham and is listed on the UK Register of Historic Ships. She has recently returned to her home port following a three-year, £1.6 million restoration carried out on Stirling’s historic Number One Slipway, where Nelson’s flagship Foudroyant was built.
Celebrations are planned for the vessel’s centenary later this summer, when Vigilance will once again take locals and visitors on half-day sailing trips around Tor Bay.
Advance bookings are now being taken – full details on the website: www.vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk
Source: Press release
Photo: Rob Murray, Chair of Vigilance Trustees (left) and Will Stirling, MD of Sterling and Son Limited (right) accepting the Gadstaad trophy from Daniel Heine of the Gstaad Yacht Club at the Classic Boat Awards in London last night. © Marcus Holdsworth
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