2017 Shetland Boat Week Programme Launched
Shetland Amenity Trust, organisers of Shetland Boat Week, are pleased to announce the release today of the 2017 programme of events.
Sponsored by Ocean Kinetics, Serco NorthLink Ferries and Lerwick Port Authority, with support from Shetland Museum and Archives, the event is now into its second year and the programme has already grown since the inaugural event in 2016.
Firm favourites from last year remain in the schedule, such as tours of the NorthLink vessel, Hrossey, and pelagic boat, Adenia. Cookery demonstrations with Marian Armitage and fancy knotwork demonstrations with John Jamieson also make a return to the line-up.
New for this year, are several additional boat trips including three location options for cruises aboard the Swan; three different trips on the Mousa Boat; daily cruises of St Magnus Bay with Shetland Marine Charters; daily traditional fishing trips aboard the Utilise with Heritage Fishing Shetland; and Lerwick Harbour cruises aboard the Wootton Lass.
This year’s lecture programme includes Charlie Simpson with an illustrated tour of Shetland’s Coastline; Dr Ian Napier (NAFC Marine Centre UHI) on the story of how Shetland fishermen progressed from small open boats to large modern vessels; and Charles Grant on the story of the Fairmile D-class MTB. The keynote speaker for 2017 is Dr Matthew Tanner, Chairman of the ss Great Britain Trust who will discuss the incredible journey of this ship, and the Shetland born Captain who disappeared in mysterious circumstances.
There are 55 different events in this year’s programme which range from exhibitions, talks, demonstrations, and boat trips, to tours and activities. The Sercro NorthLink Ferries Boatbuilding project will also be taking place every day in the Shetland Museum Boat Shed.
Events are suitable for all ages and many are on a drop-in basis with no booking required. For events which do need to be booked, tickets can be reserved online now at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat and all details are available on the Shetland Boat Week website at www.shetlandboatweek.com/events.
Printed copies of the programme will be distributed shortly and can be picked up from local shops, community buildings and other outlets from Monday 8th May. An electronic version is available now online.
Event co-ordinator, Emma Miller, said “I’m really pleased with how the programme has grown this year. The key aim of Shetland Boat Week is to get as many people as we can out on the water, and have the opportunity to take part in maritime related activities. The events on offer this year certainly do that, and all of us involved with the organisation of the event are very grateful to the sponsors, other groups who are delivering events, and the great group of volunteers who will be helping out during the week.”