To Whom It May Concern

I am reaching out to ask for your consideration in supporting what can best described as the saving of a Kiama Harbour icon, the MV SIGNA.

The MV SIGNA is a timber cruising boat, built between 1968-70, with a history of providing a wide variety of fishermen and pleasure cruisers with a daily charter experience over a period of almost 54 years.

In 2021 a prohibition order was placed on MV SIGNA by Maritime Services of NSW after she deteriorated over a number of years.

She languished in Kiama Harbour until July 2022 when she was purchased by a group of 6 pensioners aged 62-84 with the aim of restoring her to her former glory.

Two and a half years and some 14,000 hours later, MV SIGNA has been returned to Kiama Harbour and has undergone the final internal cosmetic tweaking and sea trials. She looks amazing and is an attraction in the harbour for visitors and locals alike.

As part of the restoration program, the crew had the dream of cruising to Hobart, Tasmania for the biannual International Timber Boat Show to be held in February, 2025. The application was submitted early in 2024 and approval to be part of the show was received in late September. As we now understand, this is a huge honour since only 187 boats were selected out of a field of 400.

The restoration has been a hugely expensive exercise and financing this trip to one of the world’s major boat shows is now in jeopardy. As a team of pensioners and retirees our financial resources have been stretched beyond capacity.

We are seeking approximately $10,000 to achieve the goal of travelling to Hobart and showcasing this beautiful boat and Kiama to the rest of the world. The major cost is fuel and harbour fees along the way.

Her return to Kiama Harbour, following worldwide exposure provides tourists and locals the opportunity to share in something quite unique.

Your consideration in assisting the MV SIGNA team and the local community would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in anticipation,

John Hansen

Team Leader

Editor's note: The Bugle is helping with this project and you can make a pledge here.