Hello Forum

I'm after information about the six Nelson 40 Command and Control Launches (L01-L06): Petrel, Tern, Fulmar, Skua, Shearwater and Shelduck. Used in service from 1970-c.1985 by 18 Maritime Squadron, RCT a unit of 20 Maritime Regiment. The boats were manned by civilian crew and used for range safety duties around the (UK only??) coast. I've owned Petrel for three years. I am keen to see photo's of her in service or hear from anyone who crewed her, or her sisters.

Petrel was built 1969 and entered service 1970, she is still powered by 2x Cummins V8-185 Diesels. She was painted grey with black decks (I think) but is now painted white over blue, like most civilian Nelsons. 

With thanks in advance.

Hi Dave

Tern L02 was up for grabs on e-bay a month ago, she was for sale as seen without engines and requiring considerable work. Her owner had wanted to restore her but couldn't due to illness. His e-bay user ID is wil4050 you may be able to contact him to find out if she was sold, she was lying in a commercial yard on the Hamble. She was used as a workshop training boat at Marchwood from 1992 until SOC 2002 due to shaft problems. Two pictures above from e-bay, one in service and one recent.

Regards,Christian.   

Hello All,

Just seen posts on the above, very nice looking craft as you would expect from Nelson, have new one in the marina where I work, even stripped down, presume hull in good nick, Fibreglass? though of course they can have problems sometimes.

John

Hi Christain & John

Many thanks for quick replies and photos of L02. I'll follow up the lead. Even w/o engines the hull and superstructure are worth having. Anyone wanting to restore will need 2x 180 hp or more to get her onto the plane. With fuel, water, and wife and kid's stuff they weigh 14 tons. These boats are very tough and seaworthy and clean up very well with a respray. I would attach photos but mine are are 100KB so won't upload to the forum.

Thanks again

Post-service photos of Petrel from Dave.