A new committee has been formed in Porthleven to help save one of the port’s most famous boats the “Provider Project”.

The committee will work with the Porthleven Development Trust acting as the facilitator, in helping to obtain funding to ensure the vessel’s future.

Unless funding can be found for the restoration and running of The Provider, the boat will be sent to the scrap heap and burnt.

The fate of The Provider, built by the Oliver’s Yard in the 1950s, was discovered by Carol Williams, who has followed the career of the boat since she was a little girl.

It was brought back to Porthleven 12 months ago by Roger Hosking, whose father built her.

Since then the boat has been left on a building site while it was decided what to do with her.

Ted Gundry, chairman of the Porthleven Development Trust, said if the restoration went ahead it could open up opportunities for many people.

“One possible idea is to turn it into a floating classroom for Helston Community College, or we would make The Provider available to the public.”

Porthleven has a long tradition of boat building, - craft that were recognised for their design and durability throughout the world. During the 19th and into the 20th century, over 1,600 boats of all sizes and design were turned out by the craftsmen working on the Harbour Head, or in the old quarry boat shed which was the base for the Olivers Yard.

The “Provider” PZ19, was saved from the breakers yard when she was decommissioned in 2007.

Built for Cecil Hosking, her keel was laid in 1954, and she was launched in April 1955. She worked out of Porthleven until the mid-eighties, then for 20 years or more she left Cornish waters and worked out of Orford in Suffolk, long lining for cod skate and dogfish, finally finishing her days working out of Lowestoft.

Helston Community College has shown an interest in her renovation as a project that students could get involved with.

One possibility is that with an experienced crew in charge, she could be used as a floating class room. With instruction being given on navigation, boat handling and repair, seamanship and an opportunity for geography to be taken out of the classroom where short cruises along the Cornish coastline would be an excellent way of explaining the unique geology of the area, that would be evident from examining the rock formation that make up our cliffs.

Anyone interesting in getting involved in the restoration or helping raise funds should contact Carol Williams at 10, Treveryn Parc, Budock Water, Falmouth, TR115EH, Tel. No. 07910635371 or e-mail pz19.provider@btinternet.com