Ex Customs & Excise vessel - "Guardwell" |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
Old Diesels
Newbie Joined: 20 February 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 20 February 2006 at 2:25pm |
3 years ago I made a coastal trip from Torquay to Dartmouth on a vessel called Guardwell. The skipper said it used to be with the HM customs and excise.
The twin engines sounded very healthy and the pushed us along at a good pace. Would any of your contributors have any information regarding the age, engine make or history of this vessel. Many thanks |
|
stevep
Newbie Joined: 28 July 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 26 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
She is still in Torbay, still doing the River Dart / Agatha Christie's house trip but has now been renamed "Riviera Belle". My understanding is that she is ex RAF rather than Customs but I stand to be corrected on that one. I'll see what I can find out about her engines as her current owner is a friend of a friend. Regards, Steve Powell. |
|
Old Diesels
Newbie Joined: 20 February 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks for the reply Steve, regarding her original use -I only went by the information the skipper gave over the tannoy during our trip. Any information you can gather would be of interest and also if possible a photograph of her now.
All the best. regards Steve Draper |
|
Christian
Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Current picture at http://www.rivierabelle.co.uk/index2.htm .Not ex RAF by the look of her.
|
|
Old Diesels
Newbie Joined: 20 February 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks for the Photo link Christian, perhaps someone can now get a positive id and inform us of her original use.
|
|
Guardwell
Newbie Joined: 12 July 2011 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Old Diesels, stevep, Christian and others,
Please find further info regarding Guardwell, which, I hope will be of interest to you and also help us all find out as much as we can about this little boat. Please bear in mind that not all of the info regarding her past can be verified.
Built at Bideford Yard in 1971, launched 1972. Built for HM Customs & Excise and operated out of Falmouth and Plymouth to assist in border control and counter smuggling duties. Picture of her alongside Trinity Quay, Millbay, Plymouth, bows south www.cyberheritage.com/millbay/DOCK2.html
The site says Princess Quay, but I'm reliably informed that this is infact Trinity Quay; not her usual mooring when in Plymouth.
She was one of three Cutters built for HM Customs, one other is still thought to be alive and well, the other unfortunately not.
Guardwell served the South West Coast of England and the West Coast of Scotland. She was relieved from duties and sold to a private buyer that converted her to a passenger ferry and operated her out of Ullapool. I'm lead to believe this was late 1980's. She was bought by the Bolus family of Torbay in the 1990's and continued as a passenger ferry, then sold to the Ford family in 2006 where she continues as a ferry but under a new name 'Riviera Belle'.
...
Old Diesels:
...
She is powered by two AEC AV760's. They are 12.45 litre (760 cubic inches) straight six deisels converted for marine use. The water cooled manifold and water injected exhaust only adds to the exhaust note...heard by Old Diesels! They were used extensively in land vehicles and for military and specialist civilian applications, for example, the Militant Mk3 http://www.aecmilitant.co.uk/downloads/militant3brochure.pdf
Transmission is via two Self Change MRF700's
Anything you want to know or anything to add, please please don't hesitate.
Best Regards
|
|
Old Diesels
Newbie Joined: 20 February 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hello,
many thanks for your reply and the interesting information. I was down in the Torbay area on Saturday and my trip on Guardwell came to mind again. As you mentioned, she is still probably earning her keep as a trip boat, perhaps someone may be able to provide an current photo ? regards Steve |
|
Guardwell
Newbie Joined: 12 July 2011 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Steve,
Sadly no, she's no longer earning her keep, but that's another story! I have plenty of current photos but it'll be a little while before I want to share any of them.
Do you have any knowledge of the AEC's?
Regards
|
|
Old Diesels
Newbie Joined: 20 February 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hello again !
My main diesel interests involve :- Ex BR Diesel loco's, old excavators, AEC lorries and vintage diesel powered canal boats. Basically I like good sounding engines ! I was in Torbay on Saturday on a special train hauled by a preserved Deltic loco powered by two Napier Deltic 1650 HP 2 stroke engines ( I beleive they were originally designed for fast patrol boats ). Regarding the engines, I have contacts within the AEC lorry circles and was aware or their use in the AEC Militant. I have 2 AEC Matador lorries of my own. I am connected with the diesel preservation movement and can probably get you more info about the AV760's, let me know what you need. regards Steve |
|
Guardwell
Newbie Joined: 12 July 2011 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Fantastic...! Always a pleasure to marvel at a Deltic. I share your enthusiasm for the great sounding diesels along with an appreciation for real robust engineering.
Thanks for the offer to help. General info regarding overhauling would be of use. I'll send you a quick PM with some specifics.
Thanks
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |