SIR RICHARD BRANSON'S RECORD BREAKING POWER BOAT RESCUED FROM PALMA BY BRITISH BOAT BUILDER

Plymouth-based boat builder Dan Stevens, a merchant navy officer and master who also runs the Mount Batten ferry and harbour cruise vessels in Plymouth, was approached by Brian Thornton of Performance Marine in Ireland who thought Stevens would be just the person to take the powerboat, which has been languishing in a boatyard in Majorca, on.

Dan Stevens told the Bulletin yesterday that he closed the deal to purchase her just two weeks ago and work on refitting her is already underway. “She's had a few owners over the years but none have had the passion or inclination to restore her to her former glory. “We're talking about an iconic power boat and I didn't take too much persuading. “Right now, a van packed with parts is heading down to Palma and then in the middle of next week a crew of four will be flying over to begin what we're calling a cosmetic refit. Her engines were only fired for the first time in seven years a few months back and we need to get her fuel tanks sorted. “But, she's only got 810 hours on the clock, she's hardly ever been used since breaking the record all those years ago. “So, we're going to give her a basic going over, install the bulkheads she has not got, a few new electronic packages and then embark on sea trials in the Bay of Palma until she is ready for the journey back to Plymouth,” he said. “We've had a lot of interest from marine companies in the UK who want to get involved in the refit one way or another and we would welcome any help and support from any one down in Majorca. “Never mind what I paid for her, it's the refit which is going to cost because we want to restore her to her original condition,” he added. “Once she's back, I will be using her for top end corporate and PR events but we've already been invited to take part in Cowes this year and the London to Monte Carlo Power Boar race but I'm not sure under what capacity, we could be a press or hospitality boat. “But, we will be competing in some of the power boat races in Britain that is for sure,” Stevens added. “Most people probably thought it had been scrapped but it's here and I've been in it and it's fantastic. It is like stepping back in time. Everything is original. There are old papers, the ‘nav' gear, Virgin Airways cabin livery and upholstery and even original charts. I couldn't let it get chopped up. Somebody had to take this on and try and get it back home. It's a piece of British maritime history.” Commissioned by Sir Richard Branson for the historic Blue Riband Transatlantic Challenge, the vessel took the record for the fastest crossing, in 3 days, 8 hours and 31 minutes, averaging 36 knots, on June 29, 1986.

However, the crew, including navigator Dag Pike, who has a home at Polruan, near Fowey, and project manager Steve Ridgeway, co-owner of the St Moritz Hotel, at Rock, were never awarded the Blue Riband, because they stopped to refuel and the powerboat was deemed not to have a commercial maritime purpose.

Sir Richard's first attempt in 1985 ended in failure, with the boat sinking off Land's End.
It is believed the boat was sold by Virgin Media in the late 1980s to a sultan whose coat of arms still adorns the 72-ft long craft.
Once back in Britain, further restoration work will be carried out at Mr Stevens' Seahawk Workboats boatyard, on the River Plym at Mountbatten.
Dan said he is planning to spend at least £200'000 restoring the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II to its former glory.
Stevens, 39, did not disclose the exact price he paid for the legendary powerboat but it is estimated that the asking price was around £250'000.
Sailing back to the UK will cost him as much as £30'000 in diesel while servicing the two engines could cost as much as £170'000, so like he told the Bulletin yesterday, any help will be appreciated.