The oldest vessel built specifically for gathering Fal Oysters is aiming to be restored using money from Crowdfunding.

Portscathian and Fal Oysterman, Chris Ranger, who has a love of boats, has taken on the task of not only making her seaworthy, but also become certified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

His ambition is to offer day trips and experiences both in the winter, when she gathers oysters, but also in the summer, when she races amongst the Falmouth Working Boat Association.

Chris told Roseland Online, “She may still hold the fastest passage from Fowey to Falmouth, with a time of 2 hrs 47 mins (an average of 7 knots!), but now she is showing her age and needs a long overdue restoration.”

‘Shadow’ was built around 1884 in Point Feock. She is the oldest vessel built specifically for gathering Fal Oysters and was a working boat in the last commercial sail powered fishing fleet.

Chris is looking to raise £30,000 using a new web-based funding body called Crowdfunding – an alternative means of funding that allows individuals to take their ideas forward and make them a reality with the power of the crowd and change the world around them.

If you would like to find out more information about the project and see a short video, you can visit Chris’ Crowdfunding page: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/rebuild-oldest-fal-oyster-boat-shadow1884/ where you can also contact him for more details.