Oulton Broad Vessels Join Jubilee Pageant

Plans have been announced for a spectacular seven-mile long flotilla designed to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by celebrating Britain’s maritime heritage.


Among the vessels taking part will be Motor Torpedo Boat 102, which is currently moored at Oulton Broad. The boat was part of the Dunkirk evacuations during the Second World War, and has been lovingly restored to reflect its historical importance.

Marine Engineer Richard Bassey, who along with a group of fellow enthusiasts, has kept MTB 102 afloat for more than 15 years told the Easter Daily Press: “We’re absolutely delighted, we’re honoured to be chosen to take part in the pageant. We were involved with the MTB when she was just another old boat but over the past 15 years things have changed considerably and she’s quite a celebrity now.”

The torpedo boat has a notable history: Winston Churchill and American President Dwight D Eisenhower personally inspected the boat in 1944 as part of preparations for the D-Day landings.

Many other Oulton Broad and Lowestoft boats will join MTB 102 in the jubilee flotilla, with dragon boats, barges and leisure vessels set to show off Oulton Broad’s proud ocean-going history.

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