February 2021

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Once again progress on the various outstanding jobs aboard Kerne were brought to a halt as a result of the souring infection rates of the Covid pandemic. Whilst some of us fell into the ‘at risk’ category and were obliged to once again lock themselves away, the necessity to work in very close proximity with colleagues on the boiler tube project also brought this work to a halt. 

That said, it was necessary to carry out essential safety checks aboard, and those small items that could be removed from the vessel for work at home duly left the vessel. These included the Boiler Room and Bunker top lids which were scaled, primed and top-coated in black.

As the weather improved, a number on single-man jobs on deck were carried out, which included the scaling, priming and painting of the Boiler casing, which is now resplendent in its black and buff gloss with the vessels name and port of registry being re-applied. The funnel has also received similar attention and now is gleaming with its Liverpool Lighterage colours of a broad blue band between two narrower white bands. 

Other work away from the vessel included the Wheelhouse telegraph which was removed for safe keeping when we took down the old wheelhouse. This fine piece of equipment, manufactured by Robinsons of Bootle, has now been overhauled and returned and refitted aboard in fine fettle. 

As infection rates have fallen, it has been decided that work aboard Kerne can recommence on a job-specific basis with volunteers wearing full PPE, so once again we can get stuck in to our outstanding jobs list. 

I make no apologies for reminding our followers of our Golden Jubilee Appeal which was launched on this site and on our Facebook pages. Our target for the appeal is to raise £10,000 to cover recent renovation and operational costs which have suffered considerably as a result of the pandemic, denying us the opportunity to raise funds via our various public appearances and other fund-raising activities. To date, via the various donation methods, we have raised some £2,500 towards our target, so a very special ‘thank you’ to those who have contributed thus far. 

Please help us to keep this important piece of working maritime history afloat and operational for present and subsequent generations by donating to this worthy cause. 

It is with considerable sadness that I have to conclude the bulletin by reporting that our crew member and volunteer David Owens passed away on 10th January. Dave had been a member of the Society from inception, and a joiner by profession, soon found himself put to work on anything involving wood. A serial practical joker, he never missed an opportunity to play a trick on any of us, and as one member of the crew put it ‘You knew how much Dave liked you by the amount of insults he hurled at you’. 

His skill and humour will be missed by us all.

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