The project to bring a Beverley-built steam trawler back to the Humber is to enter a key phase after the success of the organisers in setting up a charity to lead the fund-raising campaign.
The Charity Commission has confirmed that it has accepted the application to enter The Viola Trust onto the Register of Charities. As a result, the Trustees are making plans to conduct a salvage and environmental survey of the Viola next month as the next step in bringing the ship to Hull.
The Trustees are all experts in maritime matters. Paul Escreet is Chairman of Hessle-based SMS Towage Ltd. Dr Robb Robinson is a historian based in the University of Hull’s Maritime Historical Studies Centre. Rear Admiral Nick Lambert is a master mariner. Dominic Ward is Senior Partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors and a specialist in shipping law for more than 30 years.
Mr Escreet has instructed salvage and wreck removal specialists Solis Marine to make arrangements to travel to the South Atlantic in October to conduct the survey. Further information on their work will be released after consultation with the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) and the Royal Navy.
Mr Escreet said: “The campaign to bring The Viola back to Hull has attracted great support in Hull and in South Georgia. By establishing The Viola Trust we can now move to the next level.
“By conducting the survey next month we will get a better idea of exactly how much we need to raise. It will be a substantial amount – possibly as high as £3 million – but we can achieve it given the expertise and the commitment behind the project.”
