Medway Queen work programme 2021
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Work planned for Medway Queen in 2021
Everything is still locked down by winter and the pandemic but we have ambitious plans for the coming year. All dependent, of course, on Covid and in some respects the weather. Nevertheless we will get as much done in 2021 as available time, effort and cash allow. To that end we are seeking sponsorship for two main projects this year.
We have set a fundraising target of £45000 for these projects which will be promoted to our members and to the general public through local media and the heritage and boating press. Donations will be acknowledged here and in Full Ahead, our members' newsletter. We can acknowledge your donation towards the item of your choice if you wish but monies will not be ring-fenced for specific aspects of the work in the accounting sense.
Project one is to get the ship to EAPL’s slipway in Ramsgate for the hull painting that should have been done last year. This involves an expensive tow in each direction of course and necessary inspections, certification and insurance for the move. The cost of that will be approximately the same as the actual painting. It is hoped to arrange this for the summer, when the weather should be kinder, and to arrange an open event of some kind for visitors while we are there. We are budgeting £25000 for this operation.
Project two is to improve the external appearance of the ship to complement the hull painting. It has been remarked that the decks appear “empty” and so the deck furniture project is central to fixing that. Preliminary design work has been undertaken for buoyant seat units that will not, in the first instance, be functional as life rafts.
We estimate that these will cost about £625 each in materials. Seating around the rails is also required and the cost of materials is expected to be about £25 per foot of seating. The ship’s rails around the promenade deck need attention and the replacement mast acquired last year should be installed. In addition the Purser's cabin, already under construction in our workshops will be installed and made watertight. The forward deck house will be properly roofed over and some work undertaken on the Captain's cabin under the bridge.
Outline cost estimates suggest that we should be budgeting at least £20000 for this work; mainly for materials and hire of equipment. The figure will be refined as work progresses. Images courtesy of Bob Stokes, Luke Miles and PSPS Collection. |
Sponsors and Supporters
We rely heavily of the generous support of our members and other individuals and organisations. We thank them all and, in particular, thank those who are contributing to the costs of this work programme. Corporate Sponsorship
& Support Bulldog Flat Roofs, Gillingham
www.bulldogflatroofs.co.uk 
John Laing Charitable Trust
Pat Cooper's sponsored deck walk Individual Support
We've had an amazing response to the appeal, far more than expected, and more than we can possibly list, but we do feel that the generosity of the following people should be recognised:
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