A New Trip Boat for the Museum

The Museum of the Broads in Stalham has been successful in winning a substantial grant. This will pay for a new accessible, electric trip boat for 2019, and a new engine for Falcon, their famous Victorian Steam boat. The museum’s mission is to bring the story of the Broads alive and this project really complements that by giving visitors the opportunity to experience the river first hand.

The accessible boat is a key game changer for the museum. It is not weather dependent and will enable offering boat trips to a wider audience, on all days the museum is open. It will also be available to hire at other times for private parties. Being electric, the boat is environmentally friendly, and the batteries will be charged by power generated by the Museum’s solar panels.

Visitors will have the opportunity to be able to get close to Broads wildlife including Otters, Kingfishers, Marsh Harriers, Swallowtail butterflies and water fowl. The roof of the new accessible trip boat will be transparent to enable everyone to see birds in flight.

The project sees collaboration at its best in Broadland. John Caschere, of River Bank Boats, and the IBTC – Marine Services, at Oulton Broad, will be working together to build the boat. She’s a heritage style 26 foot boat, the Otter, which is designed by Broads boat architect, Andrew Wolstenholme.

Falcon’s new engine will replace the original 120 year old steam plant. Falcon will be more reliable, more efficient, and will be available for special experience days.

Funding for this project was awarded by LEADER, the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund administered by Norfolk Community Foundation, and the Broads Trust though Love the Broads. In addition to the new boat and Falcon engine, the funding will also pay for a wheelchair to enable access to the boat.