The Puffer Preservation Trust, the charity that has managed the ongoing restoration and cruising operations of Clyde Puffer S.L. VIC 32 since 2002, has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund of £245,537 to support a programme of essential restoration to enable the vessel to continue steaming through West Coast waters into the future.
The restoration project will include:
- Repair and renovations of VIC 32
- New steam biofuel powered electrical charging
- A volunteer programme including workshops on maintenance of heritage vessels
S.L. VIC 32 is one of the last iconic Clyde Puffers to operate on steam. Once a regular sight in Scottish waters delivering crucial supplies to Islanders on the West Coast of Scotland. VIC 32 was commissioned by the Admiralty, as part of a fleet of over 100, and built to carry provisions to naval vessels and depots during WWII. Unlike most of her sister ships, VIC 32 was not scrapped and was purchased by Nick and Rachel Walker in 1975. They undertook an extensive renovation to carry passengers resulting in a unique example of a steamboat that has been almost continuously cruising in West Coast waters for 45 years!
Whilst the money generated from carrying passengers over the past 20 years has allowed the charity to fund the necessary maintenance and restoration of the vessel, the COVID years and a following dip in tourism on the West Coast made it challenging to complete the final parts of this works programme.
This National Lottery Heritage Fund award will enable the Puffer Preservation Trust to complete many of these final parts, including a replica wheelhouse and completion of replacement steel hull plating throughout the hold area of the vessel.
The funding will also support investment in a steam turbine powered by VIC 32’s biofueled boiler to generate on board electricity. Replacing a diesel generator and further reducing the carbon footprint of the vessel which was already ahead of its time in converting to Biofuel in 2022.
The project will also expand on the opportunities for people to get involved with VIC 32. Including workshops for volunteers to take part in the project and learn some of the traditional skills associated with maintaining a heritage vessel.
In the long-term the works funded by this grant will allow the Puffer Preservation Trust to keep the boat steaming and educating future generations on the workings of steam power, as well as a continuing educational role demonstrating how these boats were entwined in the lives of Scots along the West Coast.
Phil Robinson, Trustee of Puffer Preservation Trust said: “The trustees of The Puffer Preservation Trust are extremely grateful to the NLHF for providing the financial assistance to support and sustain VIC 32’s much needed works over the coming 18 months. The Clyde Puffer is a Scottish seagoing icon, and this NLHF award will enable VIC 32 to operate into the foreseeable future.”
Caroline Clark The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “The Clyde Puffer is a hugely evocative symbol of way of life that has become a part of Scotland’s shared heritage. With our support, thanks to National Lottery players, the Puffer Preservation Trust will continue to care for and operate Vic 32 for many years to come. A living reminder of these hard-working little boats, their crews and their vital role in the communities they served.”
