Name Miranda (FML6751)

FML 6751 was one of seventeen MK4 Fast Motor Launches based on the Nelson 34 to be ordered for service with the Royal Navy. The GRP hull and superstructures were moulded by Tylers of Tonbridge and this was the third of eleven to be built by Watercraft of Shoreham. The boat was allocated its service number on the 25th July 1967 and launched in 1968. The Watercraft build number is 1266. She is unusual in being a single screw version - most of these Nelson FMLs had twin engines. The layout was typical of these launches having bench seats around the sides of both fore and aft cabins and a central wheel shelter. On 17th April 1968 she was allocated to Devonport for use at HMS Fisgard at Torpoint. HMS Fisgard was a shore training establishment for artificers - young engineer trainees, and was absorbed into HMS Raleigh in 1983. HMS Rayleigh subsequently did the initial training for all new non- commissioned naval recruits. 

Between 1971 and 1993 FML6751 was logged into Devonport Boathouse for refits or repair no less than 23 times. At some point the boat appears to have been modified to allow foam blocks to be installed in every available spare space. It takes a lot of foam to float a six tonne boat! This may have been as a result of lessons learnt in the Falklands conflict. On the 22nd July 1988 the Queen visited in HMY Britannia and FML6751 performed the role of escort for the royal barge after one of Britannia’s own FMLs had to go into Devonport for repair. In February 1993 6751 went into the boathouse for survey prior to being moved to the boat store at Topsham to await reallocation and HMS Rayleigh was issued with a replacement FML 7934. FML6751 then moved to HMS King Alfred, the RNR Navigational Training School, when the unit was commissioned in 1994 on Whale Island in Portsmouth.

By 1999 6751 had been moved to Greenock on the Clyde and in 2000 was listed as allocated to Strathallan School CCF (combined cadet force) and named STRATHALLAN. The boat stayed with the school until at least 2009. By July 2012 she was no longer listed by the MOD as a service boat. The boat had owners in North Wales and Northern Ireland before moving to England. By 2020 FML 6751 had been sitting on the Thames for 3 years used as a houseboat and was overdue for a refit. At the time of the refit her name was changed to MIRANDA. The vessel retains much of her original gear and character but has been modified internally to accommodate berths and galley.

Update, August 2024: Vessel for sale.