Rising costs put historic boat at risk

Posted on October 10^th 2008

One of Britain’s most historic motorboats, the High Speed Launch 102 may have to be scrapped due to rising costs.

The boat, which was one of the Royal Air Forces first fast rescue boats, was built by the British Power Boat company at Hythe in 1936 and was credited for rescuing many downed airman during World War II.

She was sold and converted in to a houseboat, but in 1992 she was found by Phil Clabburn, who restored her back to her former glory, giving her speeds of more than 30 knots.

Unfortunately, Mr Clabburn will have to break HSL102 up, unless a new home can be found for her. This would be a sad los as the motorboat is just one of a handful of motorboats on the core collection of the National Register of Historic Vessels.

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