Whitstable Maritime’s mission is to maintain and strengthen the town’s economy by building on its maritime traditions and crafts. Through the restoration of historic vessels, providing active learning opportunities for all, on and off shore, and by the application of new technologies in development of the Whitstable section of the English coastal path, it will enable residents, visitors, schoolchildren and students to explore the town’s connection with the sea, past, present and future.
Harbour Day
Whitstable Harbour Day is now an established annual event run by Whitstable Maritime and Whitstable Harbour Board. It takes place in August every year and is regularly attended by around 8,000 visitors – and approximately 150 volunteers helping on the day.
Previous Harbour Days have seen the harbour packed with boats, traditional barges, smacks and Old Gaffers racing offshore and Margate’s deep water lifeboat on display onshore. Continue reading “Harbour Day”
Coastal Trail and Oyster Walk
The Coastal Trail between Whitstable and Faversham being developed by Whitstable Maritime is a new section of the national coastal footpath. Eventually this path will extend along all of the English and Welsh coastline.
Whitstable Maritime’s Trail Guide will have contributions from local experts in the history, architecture, geology, archaeology, flora and fauna of the region. It is an ongoing project, starting with the Oyster Walk which is a guided trail around the key sites in the town.
Continue reading “Coastal Trail and Oyster Walk”Gamecock Restoration
The Gamecock is one of only two or three remaining examples of a Whitstable Oyster Yawl still capable of going to sea. Gamecock was built in 1907 in Whitstable, is 42 feet long, and has most of her original fittings. She has been registered as a National Historic Vessel and is currently undergoing a painstaking restoration thanks to the efforts our expert team of volunteers and to the generosity of Whitstable Maritime supporters.
In the late 19th century and early years of the 20th century there were up to 80 oyster yawls dredging the Whitstable coastline and at one point these ships were responsible for supplying London with half of its oysters.
Continue reading “Gamecock Restoration”Support Us
Whitstable Maritime is a registered charity, staffed entirely by volunteers. We could not exist without the generous support in time and in money from our supporters – be they sponsors, volunteers or corporate partners.
Become a sponsor
Your sponsorship or donation will help Whitstable Maritime realise its ambitious objectives in the coming months and years, including
- celebrating Whitstable’s connections with the sea; past, present and future.
- creating a Maritime Discovery Centre and Coastal Trail
- restoring, maintaining and sailing local historic craft
- establishing an annual programme of events, including a Maritime Arts and Artisans exhibition and a Barge and Smack race.
All of our programmes will apply new and alternative technologies as appropriate and offer enjoyable activities for residents, visitors, school children and students.