Past and PresentTrinity House Pilot Vessels

THV (5) Penlee, Past and Present

MV Seatrans Surveyor

ex Llanberis, (5) Penlee

Courtesy of Andy Adams

Courtesy of Andy Adams

Steel screw motor vessel, built in 1948 by A & J Inglis Ltd, Glasgow (Yard No.13565 P), for Corporation of Trinity House as a Pilot Tender.

Technical Data

  • Length: 145.0 ft (between perpendiculars), 153.0 ft (overall)
  • Breadth of hull: 27.7 ft (extreme), 27.6 ft (moulded)
  • Depth: 11.9 ft
  • Draught: 11.0 (aft, loaded), 9.3 (forward, loaded)
  • Tonnage: 442.67 gross, 493 (1992)/177.23 net, 309 (1992)/580.00 deadweight, 589 (1992)
  • Engines: 2 x 12-cylinder Crossley Brothers diesels
  • Fuel: Gas Oil
  • Power: 800 bhp/300rpm
  • Speed: 11.586 knots (full trial), 9 knots (working)
  • Radar: Decca 212
  • Capacity of Tanks or Bunkers: 90 tons
  • Consumption per 24 hrs: 3.5 tons (Full Speed)/.53 tons (Station Working Speed)
  • F Water Capacity: 37.8 tons
  • Ballast Tanks: 30 tons
  • Cable: 1 1/8
  • Anchors: 3 (Number),12,12,5 cwt (Size)
  • Voltage: 220v
  • Capacity: 6 officers, 13 crew
  • Sleeping accommodation: 24
  • Licence Number: 5
  • Call Sign: MSVC (1949 – 1994)
  • IMO Number: 5274008 ID Number: 21802
  • Official Number: 181891
  • Registry: London

History

October 30th 1947:Launched.

© SkyFotos

© SkyFotos

1948: Commissioned for Corporation of Trinity House.

1977: Sold to Rosewood Co Ltd (Druidhurst Ltd), London. Renamed LLANBERIS.

1982: Sold to Batty Floating Plant & Marine Services, London. Renamed SEATRANS SURVEYOR.

1985: Sold to Latchfleet Ltd, Morden.

1992: Sold to Detect Sea Enterprises Ltd, Plymouth.

2006: Still active?


All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Neil Jones (Trinity House Archives) and Andy C Adams for their assistance in producing this feature.

Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)

4 Comments

  1. My boat.,purchased in 1970, is one of the lifeboats mounted on the stern deck. Her I.D. plate reads; Trinity house lifeboat no 26. I’m sure she predates Penlee and was taken from an older vessel. I still sail her around and would love to know how old she is and where built. Can any one help?

  2. I would love to get copies of the photos of the Penlee and the Pelorus as my husband served on both ships,thank you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button