History of LV21

Built in 1963 Light Vessel 21 is a unique 40 metre steel-hulled lightship, the last of the renowned Philip & Son’s ships to be commissioned by Trinity House. LV21 saw most of her service off the Kent coast on the Varne, East Goodwin and Channel stations. In 1981 she was involved in the worst Light Vessel collision in which the Lightvessel had survived. She was retired from service in 2008.

Timeline

June 1962 – Ordered by Trinity House, London
September 1963 – Launched
December 1963 – Handed over to Trinity House
1976 – Stationed at East Goodwin station English Channel, near Deal, Kent
1980 – Varne station
June 1981 – Collision at Varne
1988 – Converted to automatic lightvessel
1995 – Stationed at Channel station
1997-2001 – Stationed at East Goodwin station
2003 – Stationed at Seven Stones station
2008 – Decommissioned by Trinity House
Moored at Trinity House Depot, Swansea
2009 – Acquired by Gary Weston and Päivi Seppälä

Technical Data

Length o.a.: 133 feet (ca. 40,54 m)
Length: 114 feet (ca. 34,75 m)
Beam: 26.5 feet (ca. 8,08 m)
Draft: 12.5 feet (ca. 3,81 m)
Commissioning Authority: Trinity House, London
Year of construction: 1963
Shipyard: Philip & Son, Dartmouth
England Yard-No: 1330
Material: steel (riveted)

LV21 1983

LV21 1987