This 'boaty' environment led to the establishment of the Shipwright's Point School of Wooden Boat Building in 1995, where they taught students how to build and restore wooden vessels, preserving an art that was at risk of being lost.

Ben Marris, custodian of SAONA for the last 30 years was quietly spoken, self deprecating, and above all generous with his incredible knowledge and experience. I would be untue to say I knew him well. But we corresponded and shared stories around our boating overlaps, which alway made me smile.