A distinctive fishing boat, widely recognized for its vibrant and extensive painted mural, has been the focus of recent maritime activity in Sutton Harbour after sinking and being recovered.
As of Thursday 24th of June the vessel has been brought out of the water. It is now set to be transported to a boatyard where a thorough assessment of any damage can be conducted. Mr. Stoneman has extended his appreciation for the support received during this challenging period.
The St Anne Mural
The vessel initially gained prominence through the artistic endeavors of local artist Kevin Preston.
Read our initial interview with Kevin Preston here:
Artist Kevin Preston’s latest mural shows Plymouth Sound in panoramic landscape Video
Preston, known for his diverse background including early artistic encouragement, military service as a signwriter, and later work creating portraits for fallen soldiers, meticulously applied a detailed mural depicting the scenic Plymouth Sound directly onto the 1960s fishing vessel’s hull.
This ambitious undertaking transformed a conventional boat into an expansive, publicly displayed canvas, drawing considerable interest.
The mural itself spanned the entire length of the vessel, featuring intricate details such as local boats, characters, and even alpacas from St Anne’s House gardens, showcasing a panoramic landscape from Jennycliff to Millbay Docks.
Preston faced significant challenges during its creation, including adverse weather conditions like freezing temperatures and torrential rain, necessitating the use of durable silicone-based paint unaffected by water.
The commission for this striking mural came from local businessman Neal Stoneman, who also owns the vessel.
Stoneman, whose first job was on a fishing boat, had hoped to use the newly equipped vessel for crabbing in his retirement, envisioning it as a dual-purpose asset. He also expressed aspirations for the boat to promote Plymouth, its hospitality industry, and his property, St Anne’s House.
The Sinking of the St Anne & Recovery
Following its submersion in Sutton Harbour, the boat’s owner, Mr. Stoneman, communicated considerable disappointment and a significant negative impact resulting from this unforeseen development.
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The operation to recover the vessel, named ‘St Anne’s’, was described by Mr. Stoneman as complex and requiring several days of planning.
Commercial Diving and Maritime Ltd led the recovery efforts, employing divers and airbags to raise the vessel before towing it and lifting it from the water. Initial assessments suggested the earliest the boat might be brought back up was Wednesday.
Mr. Stoneman met with the specialist dive recovery company at Sutton Harbour to draw up the salvage plans, expressing his “heartbreak” as efforts began to assess the full scale of the damage.
