- Vigilance Facts
- Accomodation
- What to Bring
- Where is Vigilance
- Clothing Shop
- Other Stuff Shop
- Gift Vouchers
- Newsletters
Dimensions and Other Facts
Vigilance is a gaff-rigged ketch, originally built as a beam trawler or smack. She was the last of a long line of sailing trawlers built at Upham's Brixham shipyard in 1926.| Length: | 78ft/24m but 101ft/30.5m with bowsprit extended. |
| Beam: | 19ft/5.8m Draft 10ft/2.9m. |
| Tonnage: | 95 tons weight. Register tonnage 42 tons. |
| Fishing boat number: | BM76. Registered U.K Historic Vessel No. 741 |
| Main mast: | 71ft/21.5m. |
| Mizzen mast: | 46ft/14m. |
| Sails: | Foresail, Staysail, Mainsail, Topsail and Mizzen sail. |
| Power: | 160HP/216Kw Daewoo MD136 6 cyl diesel. |
| Passengers: | maximum 12 locally or 9 cross channel. |
Accomodation on Board
Vigilance's original crew would envy the people who enjoy her present-day accommodation.
She has 12 passenger berths in two forward cabins, leaving the saloon completely free for dining and social use. On longer charters, numbers may be limited to 9 or 10.
The large saloon has an extending central dining table that seats 12 and provides a most convivial ambiance beside a wood burner style stove.
The excellent galley has both gas and electric appliances. The gas oven and hob provide hot food and drinks when under sail. When berthed, or when the generator is running, an electric oven, microwave, freezer, kettle and toaster supplement the gas facilities. A drinking water filter is fitted. The galley has recently been redecorated and crockery, cutlery and glassware have all been recently renewed for the 2012 season.
Vigilance has 3 separate wash rooms each with toilet and basin with hot and cold water. Water is heated by the main engine and electrically by the 8kva generator or shore power. 240 volt 50 cycle electrical power is available from shore power or when the generator is running and ample UK 3 square pin power points are available for any gadgets that you choose to bring along. At any time an inverter can provide 240 volt power for small items such as computers. 12 volt (car type) charger sockets and USB charger points are also available.
For entertainment there is a combined CD player and AM/FM radio with speakers in the saloon and deck house. It can also play MP3/WMA tracks from your USB device or via a 3.5mm mini jack AUX input. (Brink you own connector leads). This system is only used upon passenger request – never just to provide 'canned' music.
Luggage etc: (what to bring)
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
This depends upon the type of voyage, so let's start with the shortest and work up. We carry full safety gear, including life jackets for children. Vigilance is a very seaworthy vessel and it takes a rough sea before water splashes on the deck - our suggestions for waterproofs, etc., are because rain is a more frequent occurence!
Half day trips.
Wear shoes with a soft good grip sole and a flat heel. (Trainers are fine.) It is usually cooler and windier at sea, so always bring an extra pullover, waterproofs (to also act as windcheaters), gloves and hat. But don't forget shorts, sun glasses, creme and sun hat! Most visitors bring all these things in a small grip bag. We provide hot drinks and a snack. (biscuits, donut, tea-cake etc.) Half day trips do not span meal times, but if you think you will need more to eat, bring your own sandwiches.
Full day trips returning to Brixham.
Meal arrangements will be advised when you book.
Clothing for voyages involving overnight.
(Either at sea or in port.) Sleeping bag or duvet & sheet, pillow, towel(s), wash bag. Extra set of dry warm clothing (3 layers), 2 pairs of thick socks. Sailing boots (or wellies) and good wet weather gear if you have them. Jeans are OK but they take a long time to dry - cotton and synthetics dry faster. Please pack in a holdall or similar as rigid cases are difficult to stow.
Catering for voyages involving main meals on board.
We provide the fully equipped galley, with all cookware, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, wine glasses, tea towels, cleaning items, etc. As these voyages will usually be whole boat charters, (and so you will probably all know each other) we find the best way is for your group to bring (or buy locally) the food that you like, rather than the crew trying to guess. (Usually one person acts as co-ordinator and assigns each person to bring specific items.) Favourites seem to be hot-pots, bourguignonne's, casseroles, coq au vin's etc., with jacket potatoes and various salads. For longer trips, passengers usually choose to contribute to a shared 'kitty' from which all food is purchased. When in France, locally bought seafood is always popular. As far as wine and other drinks are concerned, please bring your own. We do not charge corkage. Vigilance carries emergency rations should you run out!
Voyages to France or Channel Islands.
We require all passengers to bring a valid passport for either of these destinations. (Non EU citizens may also require a visa). We recommend taking a European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) for France and proof of UK residence for the Channel Islands. An EHIC is the successor to the discontinued form E111. We recommend taking private travel insurance for all voyages outside the UK.
Pontoon only events.
These are private functions aboard whilst on a pontoon, usually evenings. Please wear practical footwear (no stilettoes). As it gets much cooler after sunset always bring something warm to put on, such as a fleece.
How do I Find Vigilance
Maps showing the location of Car Parks and Vigilance can be printed if you wish.
Approach Brixham from North on A3022.
Pass "Welcome to Brixham" sign depicting a heritage trawler.
At first traffic lights, take permanent filter left.
At next traffic lights (opposite "The Bolton"), turn left.
Keep in left lane marked "Harbour" as road bends to right.
After bend keep straight on, (Middle Street) passing light controlled pedestrian crossing.
At next junction turn right. The harbour & Prince William statue are now on your left.
Follow road sharp bend right ("Blue Anchor") and two sharp bends left ("Hole in the Wall").
Climb up hill (King St) with harbour on your left.
Take first exit from mini roundabout just after "Maritime Inn". (Berry Head Road).
After 500 yards, park in Breakwater Car park (left) or Harbour East (right).
(Trolleys (£1 returnable) are located by the marina office near the car parks.)
Walk along promenade, past the marina office, towards the town.
Vigilance is moored on the second pontoon after the marina office (Grey Hull, BM76).
Vigilance Clothing for Sale
All of these items are available by post from our Ship's Drapery, c/o Hi-Rocks, Heath Road, Brixham, Devon TQ5 9BH - enclosing a sterling cheque/money order made out to 'Vigilance of Brixham' to the value of the goods ordered plus £3.00 towards the cost of delivery. Limited stocks of popular sizes are also held on board. The distinctive Vigilance logo is embroidered on smocks, scarves and sweatshirts and is printed on tea towels and T-shirts. Clothing is also available on board.
The price of T-shirts has been increased slightly from March 2010 but they and the rest of our clothing range still represent exceptional value for money.
Embroidered Logo (scanned off a smock) Actual size 10 cm x 10 cm (4"x4")
- Navy V-neck Fishermans Smocks.100% cotton drill with full length sleeves with embroidered Vigilance Logo.
- Adult smocks have been discontinued. Remaining Stock Reduced XXL only - £22.50
- 20"(1-2yrs.), 22"(2-3yrs.) & 24"(3-5yrs.) - £12.50
- 26"(5-7yrs.), 28"(7-9yrs.) & 30"(9-11yrs.) - £12.50
- Navy Sweatshirts. Raglan sleeved in 50% polyester/50% cotton fleece, fade and stain resistant coating with embroidered Vigilance Logo.
- XS(35/36"), S(37/38"), M(39/40"), L(41/42"), XL(43/44") - £23.50
- XXL(45/46") - £23.50
- Childrens S(22-24"), M(26-28"), L(30"), XL(32") & XXL(34") - £15.00
- Navy T-shirts. 100% cotton with tubular body construction for shape retention, with printed Vigilance Logo.
- S(37/38"), M(39/40"), L(41/42"), XL(43/44") & XXL(45/46") - £9.00
- Childrens S(22-24"), M(26-28"), L(30"), XL(32") & XXL(34") - £6.50
- Caps/Hats. peaked cap with embroidered Vigilance logo.
- Adult Cap/Hat - £8.50
- Kid's Cap/Hat - £7.50
- Printed Tea Towels. 100% cotton 50 x 70 cm. - £3.50
- Navy deluxe Winterfleece scarves. 150 x 25 cm. - £10.00
Vigilance DVDs, Booklets, Cards and Prints for Sale.
Sales of these items help considerably towards the maintenance costs of Vigilance. All these items are displayed and stocked by
All of these items are available by post from our Ship's Drapery, c/o Hi-Rocks, Heath Road, Brixham, Devon TQ5 9BH - enclosing a sterling cheque/money order made out to 'Vigilance of Brixham' to the value of the goods ordered plus £3.00 towards the cost of delivery. Limited stocks of popular sizes are also held on board. The distinctive Vigilance logo is embroidered on smocks, scarves and sweatshirts and is printed on tea towels and T-shirts.
Cards and booklets are also available on board.- A 44 page illustrated booklet "History of Vigilance" is the authoritative work on Vigilance by marine historian Janet Cusack. Cost is £2.50
- Quality greetings cards with a 6"x4" photograph of Vigilance. The insides are blank for a greeting of your choice, with special Christmas editions available each autumn. Cost is 50p, £1 and £1.50 each.
- Superb large colour prints (various sizes, framed and unframed) of Vigilance.
- 'Copies of the DVD ' Red Sails in the Sunset' are available by post (p+p - £2.50). Send a cheque/PO for £7.49 made out to 'Friends of the Vigilance' to 'Friends of the Vigilance', c/o Hi-Rocks, Heath Road, Brixham, TQ5 9BH.
- Vigilance with Tall Ships off Brixham (175mm x 250mm) - £8.50
- Vigilance off Berry Head - £3.50
Vigilance Sailing Vouchers
If you have friends that live near Brixham, or visit regularly, why not give them a gift voucher?
Vouchers are £20 each and entitle the bearer to a free morning, afternoon or evening sail on a local sailing of their choice. They are accompanied by a quality Vigilance greeting card that is blank for your own words. (£40 for two adults, £50 for two adults and up to three children.)
Please order as follows:
Call 07764 845353 or email
Sailing Bookings