2023 Flagship LV21 celebrates 60th birthday

Our 2023 Flagship of the Year, lightship LV21, celebrated her 60th birthday this month with a big birthday party on the ship.  

Now moored on the Thames at Gravesend, Kent, LV21 is a 40 metre steel-hulled lightship, the last of the renowned Philip & Sons ships to be commissioned by Trinity House.  Since her launch on 16 September 1963, LV21 saw most of her service off the Kent coast on the Varne, East Goodwin and Channel stations before being decommissioned in 2008.  In 1981 she was involved in the worst light vessel collision in which the light vessel had survived, when the Ore Meteor, which was being towed by the tug Suzanne M, struck the LV21.  Due to the force of the collision, the light vessel's foremast was toppled, and her lantern and after mast were demolished.  Luckily, all damage was confined to upper parts of the ship with no damage to the waterline or below, and no injuries were sustained by any of the light vessel's crew.

Owners Päivi & Gary bought the ship in 2009 and transformed her into a unique floating cultural hub - an art space and performance facility with a difference - designed to provide a range of innovative services, both aboard and ashore, promoting and supporting the creative industries while celebrating and honouring the maritime traditions of the historic vessel.

As an iconic landmark on the Gravesend riverfront and a prime platform for showcasing activities across artistic disciplines, LV21 endeavours to act as a beacon - a leading light in Kent’s cultural offer - bringing together diverse communities, visitors and businesses with unforgettable arts, culture, education and heritage experiences.

Visitors, shipmates, crew, partners and supporters were all invited aboard the ship on Saturday 16 September - exactly 60 years since her launch - to celebrate her special anniversary, tour the decks and discover her story.  Resident artists offered free drop-in activities and live performances inspired by nautical themes, and the chance to design and take away their own LV21 anniversary souvenir.  A time capsule sealed on the ship's 50th birthday in 2013 was opened, and some of those who put in their “messages in a bottle” 10 years ago were reconnected with their memories.  Some new contributions have been added to the time capsule, which will be re-sealed until LV21's 70th birthday in 2033.  Tiller & Wheel's 1906 Thames barge Edith May was moored at Gravesend Pier for the day, offering free boat trips along the river Thames and fantastic views of the lightship from the water. 

Upcoming events aboard the ship this October include the WOW Girls Festival; a gig by punk pioneer Wreckless Eric (sold out!); a one-man play about the intrepid Irish Antarctic explorer Tom Crean; and an immersive re-telling for Halloween of the Eastern European tale of Baba Yaga, featuring music, live performance and craft workshop.

Find out more on the LV21 website