About Ship Happens
Ship Happens is a family project started by the Robins family. Simon and Gemma bought MV Sarinda, an ML1392 World War Two warship, on Ebay in January 2021. The Robins run an RV conversion company, Creation Campers, near Wrexham, Wales. They have undertaken previous boat restorations of inland waterways craft, but this is their largest project to date. They have the help of their two children, Mason and Emilia, who are very involved with the project. Their aspiration is to restore Sarinda and make her seaworthy again in time to cross the channel as part of the 85th anniversary of D-Day celebrations in 2025.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the YouTube channel Ship Happens was set up as a means of keeping family members informed as to the progress of the project. Unexpectedly, the channel gained recognition and as of May 2023 has over 75k subscribers from over 30 countries worldwide. The project has been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles in the UK, USA and Europe, together with a television appearance on Chicago News – WGN TV.
The magnitude of the project to restore Sarinda has not been lost on Simon and Gemma and they acknowledge that this will require their commitment, both financial and in time, over several years. The initial works were funded from their own resources although a small group of supporters provided disparate items ranging from tools to food and even a kettle. They have also explored alternative sources of funding, including a copper nail fundraising drive, branded merchandise, Patreon, and You Tube's “Buy Me A Coffee” concept has been used successfully whereby supporters can purchase a virtual cup of coffee for £3. A sponsor has been brought on board for the provision of paint and other sponsors are being actively sought.
All of the above may give the impression that funding and people have been successfully found - this is not the case. A regular labour force of two adults and two children is inadequate, especially as there is a business to run to fund the works, let alone any time needed for rest and recuperation. But the Robins' want to show people that anything can be achieved without massive amounts of money, and that anything is possible with the right attitude and motivation.
About MV Sarinda
The harbour defence motor launch (HDML) was a 72 ft long British-designed motor vessel used for harbour defence during World War II. Designed by W J Holt at the Admiralty in early 1939, 464 HDMLs were built by the Allied countries worldwide during the war and saw service in Europe, the Far East and Australasia. ML 1392 was built by Berthon Boat Lymington and was completed in December 1943.
As part of the 149th ML Flotilla, 1392 was a navigation leader at Gold Beach during the D-day landings in June 1944 identifying the start of safe passageways through minefields. The HDML’s wooden construction and shallow draft made them ideally suited to sit on or in the vicinity of minefields. On 6 March 1945, 1392 captured a Biber-type German midget submarine off Breskens in the Scheldt estuary.
After the war, the boat was transferred to HM Customs & Excise and renamed Valiant. In about 1967, she was sold and became the motor yacht Frol-Pejo. By 1974, she had been renamed Sarinda and has been identified offering day cruises from Liverpool. A total rebuild as a luxury motor yacht was started in 1979 and completed by a new owner after she was sold in 1987.
Restoration
There are three distinct areas for restoration. Firstly, the original hull needs to be made watertight and renewed as necessary. Secondly, works undertaken during the 1970s and 1980s above the deck bulwarks were not carried out with suitable materials – marine ply was not used and substantial areas have had to be stripped out or made temporarily watertight with tarpaulins or plastic sheeting. Finally, the navigation, communications, interior fittings, the galley and general furniture need to be identified, prioritised and installed. The whole ship also needs painting or re-varnishing both externally and internally. Where possible improvements will be carried out on a like for like basis.
A great amount of work has already been carried out. This includes fitting a new off-grid power system, providing all the power they will need for the restoration works. They have also made the boat watertight to protect her from any further water damage, and structural work to the hull is ongoing. All the internal structural woodwork in the bow area were completed in February 2023 - a massive, 18-month job. Follow their progress on their weekly YouTube episodes.
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