Robin flies - world exclusive documentary

Photo credit: Kampfner Ltd (www.kampfner.com)

The newly restored 1890 London-built SS Robin, the last remaining steam-coaster in the world, was airlifted by two massive 600 ton cranes in a highly technical and challenging operation on Monday June 28th.

Project Management consultants Kampfner Ltd, who bought the historic vessel for £1 from the owners of the Cutty Sark ten years ago, and founded the SS Robin Trust, led a technical team of East Anglian and London-based marine consultants, engineers, naval architects and  shipwrights in a unique historic ship conservation project.

David Kampfner, Project Director, said: ““the spectacular lift operation marks an exciting and entirely new concept for historic ships. This irreplaceable 'Grade 1' listed vessel is the only one left of her type, and will now be saved for the nation. are delighted to confirm that this technically challenging lift was a huge success and an important milestone in the conservation of this listed historic ship.

"We're privileged to have worked with an excellent team of specialists from around the UK. There's a real sense of having made history here today - a momentous occasion, marking a new chapter in the remarkable SS Robin story.

The lift, in Lowestoft,  Suffolk, was a dramatic and unprecedented operation to create a world-first floating museum. Watch the film of the lift here and see SS Robin, the world's oldest complete steamship, take to the skies. Watch the full airlift with exclusive footage of the lift and some of the behind the scene action here and see SS Robin take to the skies.

SS Robin is the world’s last remaining steam coaster built in 1890 in London - a symbol of an extraordinary period in British history when merchant shipping was the core of a determined spirit of entrepreneurship - the workshop of the world.

SS Robin is a unique piece of maritime history, listed on the National Historic Fleet register and regarded as one of the most important British built ships.

The SS Robin conservation scheme is a Crossrail legacy project - supported by a £1.9m loan from Crossrail