Our Story

Citizen Sea

Our Vessel

The Research & Education Vessel ‘Sea Bird’ is a beautiful wooden hulled traditionally built ‘Ringnetter’ type vessel, descended from the legendary sailing drifters of the late nineteenth century.

She is a roomy and powerfully built vessel of 40 tons displacement and 17 metres overall length. Originally launched in 1969 from the slipways of her Scottish builders, Weatherhead and Blackie of Port Seaton, she worked through all seasons as a Herring Ringnetter and as a general purpose fishing vessel up until late 2018.

Citizen Sea initiated a conversion project of the ship in early 2019 and she is scheduled to operate under M.C.A Passenger Coding  carrying up to 12 passengers and 3 crew at sea . A sturdy and able ‘small ship’ developed and built to sail safely through the unforgiving waters of Northern Europe, yet retaining the exquisite hull lines of the Norse tradition.

Built from locally grown European Larch planking and Oak frames and keel, she is a true example of sustainability and the use of natural materials. In her new role this sturdy vessel will add further to this sustainability being ‘up cycled’ and adapted to a ‘ second working life’ as a research and education vessel and, perhaps most importantly, as an ambassador for our natural marine and coastal environment.