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LIGHT VESSEL 14 SULA is a vessel of riveted steel construction built in 1958 by Cook Gemmell and Welton of Beverley. She was commissioned by the Humber Conservancy Board (HCB) in June 1959 and stationed at the Spurn sandbank in the Humber Estuary. She was decommissioned in December 1985. In August 1988 she became a tourist attraction in Guernsey, Channel Islands and was named the BEAUCETTE LIGHTSHIP. Subsequently, in a similar role, she moved first to Conwy in North Wales (where she was briefly renamed CONWY) and then to Milford Haven in South Wales, where she was named HAVEN LIGHTSHIP. In July 1997 she was sold to Irish tourism investors and was laid up in Waterford, Ireland in 2001. She was bought by new owners in 2007, when she was towed from Waterford to Sharpness Shipyard near Gloucester.
She was refitted at Sharpness for three years, then moved to Gloucester Docks in 2010, when renamed SULA. There she was used as a therapy centre, before being put up for sale in 2016. After three years she was spotted by her current owners who took ownership in February 2020. As well as living aboard themselves, they also converted part of the ship into a private luxury guest suite at the bow of the vessel, making SULA the the UK's only stay aboard historic lightship. SULA’s unique Fresnel lens was brought back to life in November 2020 and illuminated the sky for the first time in over 20 years. The Old Engine Room provides a large flexible event and function space, available to hire. The vessel also hosts regular Open Days and takes part in various community events.
Built by Cook Gemmell and Welton of Beverley as LIGHT VESSEL 14
Commissioned by Humber Conservancy Board and stationed at Spurn sandbank in Humber Estuary
Decommissioned and sold out of service
Became tourist attraction in Guernsey, Channel Islands and named the BEAUCETTE LIGHTSHIP
Moved to Conwy, North Wales and then Milford Haven, in South Wales, where renamed HAVEN LIGHTSHIP
Sold to Irish tourism investors
Laid up in Waterford, Ireland
Bought by new owners and towed from Waterford, Ireland to Sharpness Shipyard, Gloucester.
Moved to Gloucester Docks for use as therapy centre following 3 year refit at Sharpness shipyard
Put up for sale
Purchased by current owners who live aboard. They have converted part of the vessel into a private guest suite, making SULA the UK's only stay aboard lightship. There is also a function and events space.
A Sustainability Grant of £700 for remedial work was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ships
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors