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Thursday 21 September 2017
Upchurch Built Boat 'Thamesmoor' Launched at Otterham Creek Boatyard
Photos - Nathan Diddams.
Kent Work Boats are a small father and son run business specialising in boat welding and fabrication from steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
On Tuesday 19th September a large crane lifted in 'Thamesmoor' their 5th boat to be completed at the boatyard.
Thamesmoor is a specially commissioned, multipurpose work boat and has taken many months to complete. Formed and built round frames, she is 32ft long, 12ft wide and weighs 12.8 tonnes!
Once test runs are complete and the 155HP Beta Marine commercial engine has been commissioned then the new boat will be put to work by its owner in Gravesend.
Alan and Nathan Diddams have been based at Otterham Creek Boatyard for 15 years and follow in the footsteps of Sir Francis Drake whose father Edmund Drake was vicar of Upchurch between 1560 and 1567.
It is thought Edmund secured an apprenticeship for his eldest son Francis as a shipwright at the port of Otterham Quay after getting to know the 14 men from the village that worked there.
For more information contact Kent Work Boats on: 07773 022360