News

The organisers of the Thames Traditional Boat Festival have announced that this year’s festival will be postponed and have issued the following statement:

The Southampton International Boat Show, taking place from 18 – 27 September, has announced it will unveil a significantly expanded Wooden Boat Stage in 2026, creating an even bigger platform to celebrate, showcase and support the future of wooden boatbuilding … Continued

Two traditionally-rigged ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel, have set sail from Falmouth, as part of the 2000-mile Full Circle Expedition around the UK. The voyage is coordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and … Continued

Women in Boat Building CIC (WIBB) have published the findings from their 2025 survey ‘PPE for Women in Boatyards’ in a new report, which they are encouraging all boatyards to read. The results of the survey and the additional information shared at … Continued

The Environment Agency is on course to remove over 100 sunk and abandoned vessels from the non-tidal Thames in its biggest push in a decade on tidying up the watercourse. The work has been spearheaded by a newly created task force whose mission is … Continued

The Worldwide Classic Boat Show takes place again this year, all online from 20-22 February. Presented by Off Center Harbor, the show is entirely virtual, with over 1000 boats and daily live presentations lined up for the 2026 edition.  As well as … Continued

The Boat Building Academy (BBA) has hosted its 55th ceremonial launch, with the latest boats produced by students on its 40-week boat building course taking to the water of Lyme Regis harbour. The academy’s most recent graduates produced four boats – … Continued

The original traditional boat festival, Les Fêtes Maritimes de Douarnenez, turns 40 next year when it returns from 23-26 July. As part of the celebrations, the festival team is compiling a commemorative book of memories from participants over the years … Continued

Douarnenez is back this year from 23-26 July, together with a couple of other ‘even year’ traditional boat festivals closer to home. In West Cornwall, Mousehole’s Sea Salts and Sail runs from 3-5 July, while the late spring bank holiday … Continued

Following the success of its inaugural event in 2024, Lugger Fest will be back next year. Ullapool’s biennial traditional maritime festival returns from 22-24 May 2026 to Scotland’s northwest coast. Held on Shore Quay, Ullapool, Lugger Fest 26 will once … Continued