SHIPYARD NEWS

Royal barge refitted at Gillingham

17 years ago

Gillingham Marina Workshops are now into their fourth year and are celebrating the success of their refit involving the official Royal Barge on the River Thames, the Royal Nore, which is owned by the Port of London Authority.

Following a complete refit at Gillingham Marina Workshops, the

Royal Nore

has now returned with a top deck entirely rebuilt together with a lounge area and reception space on one level. The boat’s décor and furnishings feature Irish Ulster Wool carpeting, bespoke Lloyd loom armchairs, tan leather button back banquette and rich Cherry wood panelling throughout. The

Royal Nore

has been involved with Queen Elizabeth II’s state visits since 1971. When the Queen is onboard, the Royal Standard and Regalia are displayed and Her Majesty is always accompanied by her Bargemaster, along with eight Royal Watermen in full ceremonial dress standing on the fore deck.

Another notable repair job by the yard has been to the vessel Havengore, built in 1956 and designed as a survey vessel for the Port of London Authority. It was the largest vessel the Authority owned at the time and was the flagship. Havengore served the Port of London Authority for 40 years, the longest serving vessel, before being retired in 1995.

It was used was during the official funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965, when Havengore conveyed Sir Winston Churchill’s body up the Thames to Waterloo.

Gillingham Marina Workshops recently completed an eight week job on the Havengore, removing rot from the vessel’s keel band to keep it in top condition.

The workshops have also completed repair and maintenance for the RNLI, Port of London Authority, the police and fire departments and Thames Clippers.

Gillingham Marina reported having a successful show at Seawork 2009. Martin Evans, the workshop manager, told MJ, ‘Seawork went very well for us. We met current customers which gave us a chance to talk away from the office. Also, there were over half a dozen quality enquiries that we shall hopefully turn into contracts. As the Royal Nore and Havengore projects demonstrate so well, we have the facilities and skills to carry out all types of commercial craft modifications, refit or repairs and look forward to discussing our customers’ needs with them.’