The oldest surviving half-deck boat based in the island will celebrate its 125th birthday on Saturday.

Master Frank is a Ramsey-based 38ft long fishing boat that was launched in the town on January 30, 1896.

Commissioned by a Mr Shackley of Whitehaven - who thought he was getting a 40ft boat - the craft was brought back to the island and purchased by a Ramsey fisherman, Joseph Kinnin, three months later. The vessel is now owned by Joe Pennington, also of Ramsey.

He has owned ’Master Frank’ since 1993, and often takes her out to sea. However, during lockdown he has not been able to sail her further than around the Manx coastline.

Mr Pennington said he has spent many hours looking after his ship and it’s been admired further afield.

’I’ve spent several thousand hours re-building her and in my opinion, she’s a gem,’ he said. ’I use her quite regularly - unfortunately, it’s been quite difficult because of Covid, but I’ve been around the island twice with her.

’In the past, wherever I’ve taken her she’s always been admired. I’ve been to France many times, they love her there; also up to Scotland, along the north and west coast of Ireland, along the south coast of England and extensively to all ports within the Irish Sea.’

Mr Pennington said that due to doing all the work on his beloved boat himself, the cost of running her isn’t much.

He hopes that someone will take over in a couple of years when he can no longer continue to look after her.

He said: ’I’m the sole owner of Master Frank and quite proud.’

Mr Pennington said he won’t be able to sail Master Frank on Saturday, January 27, but he will celebrate in style by decorating her sails with flowers for the special occasion. He hopes people will look out for her.

’I would have loved to have gone sailing with her, but the weather’s not looking good for Saturday. If people can look out for her, she’ll be in Ramsey Harbour on the south wall side, directly opposite the old warehouse. She’ll be afloat from midday on Friday.’