Education, Lyme Regis | Posted on December 18th, 2025 | return to news

Lyme Regis boat builders host 55th ceremonial launch

Students from the Boat Building Academy launched four boats into Lyme Regis Harbour.

The Boat Building Academy (BBA) recently hosted its 55^th ceremonial launch, with the latest boats produced by students on its 40-week boat building course taking to the water of Lyme Regis Harbour.

The academy’s most recent graduates produced four boats which they wheeled the short distance from the academy to the harbour slipway.

As is the custom, the boats were officially greeted to the waterside by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evens MBE, and cheered on by crowds as they launched for the first time.

Student Katherine Briggs from Grimsby commissioned and built Campion, a 16’6″ Gorran Haven Crabber, which is half constructed in English elm.

She said: “I worked previously in the preservation of heritage buildings, but generations of my family have worked in the fishing industry in Grimsby, and I felt drawn to the academy and the 40-week course.

“I knew I wanted to make a classic Carvel boat and when someone suggested we build it in English elm that seemed perfect.

“I’d now like to find a way of combining my skills in heritage preservation with my new skills in boat building, to protect this ancient craft.”

Meanwhile, student Ben Sims from Wallingford in Oxfordshire built a 16′ Gartside motor launch, which had been commissioned by his parents.

He said: “I came to the 40-week course with no knowledge of boat building and only basic woodwork skills, but I can honestly say I loved every minute of it. I’m very grateful for the tutors’ expertise and to my fellow students who have joined me in putting a huge number of hours and equal amounts of commitment into building this beautiful boat.”

Student Jack Holmes, 25, will go from the course to work at a boatyard in Suffolk.

He said: “I came to the course as a carpenter and am leaving as a boatbuilder. I worked on Ben’s boat and absolutely loved the experience. Taking it into the water today after 40 weeks and a lot of late nights was surreal but perfect.

“I’m now looking forward to moving from my home in Norfolk to Suffolk and starting my new career in boat building with Woodbridge.”

The BBA’s 40-week boat building course sends graduates to boatyards across the UK and the world. BBA Director Will Reed said: “The latest 40-week course takes the total number of boats produced by the BBA to 293, with 658 graduates introduced to the boat building industry. Six of the students on this course also received BBA bursaries.”

The BBA’s next set of courses start on 16 February and 7 September 2026. To find out more details, visit: www.boatbuildingacademy.com.