March 2024 - NB Capricorn, our "Barney Boat" and NB Clover have been moved from their moorings and and now being got out of the water for hull inspections. The thickness of the hulls will be check and blacking applied if needed. A decsion will then be made as to what we do with these boats in the future.

April 2025 - Work has continued to CC Susie Splash and we are very proud to say that the old girl has passed her out-of-water hull inspection. Considering she was built in 1968, it’s a testament to how well she was built and how good a job of looking after her, her previous owners did. Passing this inspection means that we will be able to put her on FVA’s Fleet Insurance (doesn’t that sound grand!) which is an essential part of the documentation she needs to have a veteran on board. 

 The next stage is getting her back in the water, a bit of work on her electrics and her enhanced Boat Safety Certificate. Then she’s ready for her already selected veteran to go aboard and start the next chapter of his life. None of this would have been possible without the support of Susie’s boat-sponsor www.lofts4storage.co.uk and our Port and Starboard volunteer teams. HUGE thanks to them.

 May 2025 - Our brilliant volunteers have now started work on our next project boat, a 40ft narrowboar called Flossie Willum. She has been donated to us by a veteran who is now unable to use her. He generously also gave us the funds to have steel work on her hull reapaired  - this work is being carried our for us by Paul, of PJ Barber, Boat Builder, at Sheet Shed Basin. Long Eaton, Derbyshire. 

NB Flossie Willum is a total re-fit, everything from her floor up needs to be replaced as it's got wet. We are actively seeking sponsors to help us pay for the work or to donate materials. Please get in touch if you might be able to help or would like to join in the volunteer work parties.

June 2025 - Work has continued on NB Flossie Will'um. She has been cleared out and much ballast removed, so that she floats higher in the water, eliminating the danger of water coming into her cabin via drain holes, which has been the root of her problems. This took a LONG time and our volunteers made many trips to the tip! 

NB Clover was made accessible through the stern doors with the removal of a padlock for which we had no key – we could get in through the bow, so she wasn’t very secure! Her two alternators have been taken to be refurbished and the clearing out of stored donations and removal of them to storage had begun. This will take even longer than Flossie, as she’s a bigger boat. 

July 2025 - Flossie has  had new channeled steel supports welded in – thanks again to PJ Barber, Boatbuilder at Sheetshed Basin, Long Eaton for doing the work – so that we could replace the deck boards. She has had a beautiful, new control box made and decorated by our talented volunteer, Bob, and an engine stop cable made and fitted by Gary, and Roger has undertaken the herculean task of doing the clearing and tip runs. Thanks, chaps! 

And then this happened and it's HUGE;
 

 Things are really taking off - FVA now has a major partner in the shape of East Midlands Airport! Here's what they have to say about it - "As part of East Midlands Airport’s Volunteering and Community Support Programme, members of the Airport Projects Team are proud to be supporting Forces Veterans Afloat with their ambitious vision to provide floating homes for forces veterans and establish their own boatyard. This inspiring initiative, led by and for veterans, offers a safe and purposeful environment where former service personnel can connect, heal, and thrive.

EMA volunteers are donating their time to assist with essential project work, including minor repairs, painting, and decoration. Beyond hands-on support, the Airport team is also engaging their wider supply chain to explore how they can contribute to the larger infrastructure works needed to bring the Forces Veterans Afloat boatyard dream to life.

This partnership reflects East Midlands Airports commitment to meaningful community engagement and supporting those who have served, helping turn ambition into reality through teamwork, expertise, and collaboration." 

Guy Slack Capital Delivery Programme manager, East Midlands Airport.

July 8th - We need your help...

It's Festival Time

We are booked into a few Festivals this year to promote the FVA.

The first one is at Gnosall between 18th and 20th July.

We are looking for Volunteers to help with the locks.

The route that is being taken is via the following: Trent and Mersey, Staffordshire and Worcestershire and Shropshire Union.

Actual dates will be posted soon.

If you would like to help, please contact the following Chrissie on 07588410050 Pete on 07496447656 or Personal Message will be fine.