A nautical charity that was gifted a new training vessel by Northumberland Freemasons has toured the north of the county to give the opportunity for their funders to see their donation in the community.
The Northumbria Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) received its new rigid inflatable boat aptly called “Northumberland Freemason” in June which has been used at the Tall Ships Race in Sunderland and at a recent Remembrance Day Parade of Sail at Newcastle’s Quayside.
Head of Unit, Volunteer Officer Paul Casson said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Northumberland Freemasons for this donation and thought that they might like to see the boat in the areas that it will be used. We’re planning more visits like this so that our work on the region’s rivers can be highlighted.”
The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) operates regionally from Berwick to Hartlepool and provides invaluable support, both afloat and ashore to harbour authorities and at events such as the Tall Ship’s Race.
The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) has 25 active units around the coasts & estuaries of the United Kingdom. The organisation’s aims are to help to keep the UK’s maritime tradition alive by training and delivering practical seamanship and engineering skills. These skills are put to good use in the community at events such as Tall Ships and at times when called upon by the appropriate authorities.
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Photos show:
- 1. Members of the MVS meet Berwick Freemasons and their families at Berwick Credit Tom Stewart
- 2. The MVS unit at Seahouses Credit Tom Stewart
Anyone wanting to know more about the MVS can contact VO Keith Newman on 07814 397951
