A FORMER Falmouth Marine School boat builder is undertaking a restoration of a boat which is almost 100 years old. 

Visitors to Charlestown Harbour will be able to see the work in progress of Ben Baker, who joined the harbour last year. 

The restoration of Roxana, an early 20th century fishing boat, is being undertaken at the UNESCO historic port and onlookers will have the chance to watch the painstaking work from the quayside.

Ben trained in Falmouth Marine School, completing the qualification in 2008 and since then the role of a shipwright has taken him on voyages around the Cornish coasts and beyond.

“I am really excited about the harbour having Roxana to be restored. Roxana was at risk of being scrapped, so restoring her and launching her into Charlestown Harbour is an amazing opportunity - it also enables me to really put my skills to the test,” said Ben

Roxana was originally built circa 1920 and is an Itchen Ferry style vessel. Itchen Ferry boats were traditionally built on the Itchen River, Hampshire, during the 19th and 20th Centuries and were used for fishing.

Visitors will have the chance to see the restoration in progress and ask Ben about the skills needed to give Roxanna a new lease of life throughout August in Charlestown Harbour.

There will be a range of other activities taking place daily throughout the summer at Charlestown Harbour and Shipwreck Museum including treasure hunts for children and families and the chance to join the crew aboard tall ship Kajasmoor and meet a pirate.