Visit to London Maritime Volunteer Service

MEMBERS visited the Maritime Volunteer Service City of London Unit, based at St Katherines Dock in the hope of forging links with the largely unknown group.

Considering that the charity gets involved with so many events on the River Thames it is surprising that not more people know about it. However, it is in the process of stepping up its promotion.

Thanks to Bill Hulse arranging a visit, Harlow Sub Aqua Club visited their HQ on Monday 18th May 2009, attending their committee meeting, where they discussed forthcoming events, and were kindly shown around their site, which happens to have beautiful views of Tower Bridge.

Pictured clockwise from left: Bill Hulse, Jan Archer, John Salsbury, Alan Harman, HoU CoL Don Downer from the MVS City of London Unit and Angela Shaw. (Other members attended but aren't pictured here.)

The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) . is a charity set up in 1994 after Royal Naval Auxiliary Service disbanded. As a charity, its remit is to teach maritime skills and heritage to its members as well as members of the public. One of the services they provide is to scattering ashes of loved ones on the River Thames for a donation to the unit running costs.

The MVS has set up a branch of BSAC (the British Sub Aqua Club,) called the Maritime Diving Unit and they hold weekly training nights for both Divers and non Divers. They also arrange dives around the coast using other MVS craft.

Divers have the chance to learn about boat handling, tides and weather, chartwork and navigation, and general maritime skills. The branch could be involved in charitable work such as protecting wrecks, underwater archaeology (where there were entry level course and qualifications), surveying and recording, underwater heritage, and marine conservation. The diving branch provides a chance to support events which enabled the MVS to practice its non diving training. Diver training includes general maritime training.

Members wear naval uniform and the charity they belong to is one of the few non-military organisations the Queen allows to fly a Defaced Red Ensign.