Keewaydin Update
Since the devastating fire at Sailors Creek on Thursday 19th February, we have been overwhelmed by the messages of support for Spike and everyone who’s been a part of Keewaydin’s story.
Thank you.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the fire and rescue crews who responded so swiftly and remained on site through the night, continuing to dampen down hotspots and ensure the area was safe. Their professionalism and care in extremely difficult conditions is deeply appreciated.
Also to many other local organisations who reached out immediately to offer assistance in anyway.
Thankfully, everyone involved are all safe which is the most important thing but we can now confirm that Keewaydin is totally unsalvageable. After two years of painstaking restoration led by master shipwright Spike Davies, alongside a dedicated community of boat builders, volunteers and supporters, this is an enormous loss.
Spike has not only lost the vessel he was bringing back to life, but also his tools and equipment. For a craftsman, those tools are his livelihood.
Right now, our priority is to support Spike in replacing his tools and to ensure the site is made safe following the fire. A go fund me is now live to help Spike to rebuild his new future.
Thank you again for your kindness and continued support.
Sailors Creek CIC
Thursday 19th February 2026
We are devastated to confirm that Keewaydin, the 1913 Lowestoft wooden trawler under restoration at Sailors Creek, was destroyed by fire earlier today.
Emergency services attended promptly and we are grateful for their response. We can confirm that no one was seriously injured.
Keewaydin has been the focus of a two-year restoration led by master shipwright Spike Davies, supported by volunteers, donors and the wider community. With her launch just weeks away, this loss is deeply felt.
The fire is understood to have been an accident. We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and will not be making further comment until more information is available.
We respectfully ask members of the public not to visit the site, as the area remains unsafe and access is restricted.
Further updates will be shared through our official channels.
Directors
Sailors Creek CIC
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Below and Help us to restore and refloat the historic boat keewaydin
Keeywaydin is stuck on Cinderella Island in Sailors Creek and we need your help to re-float and restore her to her former glory.
With a generous donor matching funds, Spike Davies and his team is leading the charge to restore and re-float Keewaydin during October 2025 through the help of many willing hands from experienced shipwrights to community volunteers.
BUT WE NEED STILL NEED MORE HELP.
WE NEED SEVERAL TREES, TOOLS AND PPE FOR OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!
Plus more sandwiches to keep the whole thing running.
Help us relaunch Keeywaydin!
You can contribute to the project from just £2 and share our Crowdfunder.
The monumental effort to save the historic vessel Keewaydin is still in full flow. Spike Davies and his team have already completed a huge amount of work having replaced much of the planking and many of the internal frames. They are currently fitting new engine beds and continuing plank repairs and replacement where necessary. This is to ensure the vessel is sound below the waterline in preparation for caulking, paying, and painting, ready for launching in October! It really will be a pleasure to see this old girl relaunched and floating again and we wish the best of luck to the project in this final stage.
