Exeter volunteer’s dedication to historic vessel Britannia earns national recognition

An Exeter volunteer has been named joint winner of a national award for his work preserving Britannia, a former Boston smack built in 1915 by Worfolk Bros in King’s Lynn, now berthed at Exeter Harbour.

Richard Brown, who joined the Britannia Sailing Trust over a year ago and volunteers three days a week maintaining the historic vessel, has been honoured with the 2025 Marsh Volunteer Award – Individual.

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His responsibilities range from routine maintenance checks to designing and installing a new engine bed, as well as taking on duties as a volunteer supervisor. 

Colleagues praised him for consistently going “over and above the call of duty” in supporting the vessel’s restoration and ongoing operation.

Reflecting on the award, Richard said: “I have been working, as a volunteer, for almost two years now and find it a stimulating and interesting way to spend a few hours a week with a very friendly group of like-minded people.” 

“I had recently retired from the construction industry and, having completed several building projects, was looking for another challenge.” 

“I had previously sailed since the age of 20 and always been involved with boats in some form or another, so this came as an ideal opportunity to get involved with the Britannia project.”

Britannia carries a remarkable history. Once the largest whelk trawler built on the east coast during 1915, she survived an encounter with a German U-boat in the First World War and later rescued the crew of a distressed Russian vessel in 1917. 

After decades of use as a motor fishing vessel and several changes of ownership, she entered a long restoration project under the stewardship of the Britannia Sailing Trust.

Following nearly ten years of volunteer-led restoration, Britannia was relaunched in September 2023 and now operates from Exeter Harbour, providing youth training and sailing opportunities.

The National Historic Ships UK Awards also recognised achievements in maritime photography, conservation and flagship vessel categories, with this year’s winners announced in an online film recorded in Bristol.