Built by William Stoba in Fleetwood, 1904, Alpha is considered one of the finest pilot cutters.

Working out of Newport, Wales, she sailed the western approaches, meeting incoming ships to guide them safely to port.

Alpha’s radical design was unlike her contemporaries, she was renowned as the fastest in the fleet.

Length - 51 feet.

Material - Oak planks on sawn oak frames.

Fastenings - Bronze screws.

Rig - Gaff Cutter.

Completed over 21 month period, Alpha underwent a substantial restoration, works included:

Full re-plank in oak fastened with bronze screws.

12 new oak frames.

Complete rebuild of her counter.

New rudder trunking.

New knightheads.

New oak bulwarks and staunchions to return her fan tail back to its original shape.

New cockpit well.

1/3 new laid douglas fir deck.

Interior updates and modifications.

Full overhaul of electrical and engineering systems including generator instalation and converting to electric cooking.

New mainsail.

Rigging overhaul and modifications.