Additional information courtesy of George Moore

Technical

Official Number: 301605
Yard Numner: 71
11/03/1959: Launched
Gross Tonnage: 69
Net Tonnage: 41
Length: 68.9 ft
Oil Engine: 152bhp 4 stroke 6-cyl by Gardner Engines Ltd, Patricroft, Manchester
Built: George Thomson & Son, Buckie

History

3.1959: Launched by George Thompson & Son Ltd, Buckie for Frank Pitts, Kirkella & others as LIBRA.
1959: Completed. Registered at Hull (H131).
1964: Renamed STAR Of FREEDOM.
By 1964: Owned by John Davies & Clifford Davies, Fleetwood. Hull registry closed Registered at Fleetwood (FD215).
03.02.1965: Hit an unidentified object about 15 miles ESE of Barra Head causing significant damage. She was able to reach Castlebay where she was beached. Temporary repairs were made at Castlebay to allow her to return to Fleetwood.
22.04.1967: When fishing off Northern Island, a broken pipe resulted in a major leak. She was escorted to Strangford Lough where repairs were undertaken.
08.1967: On a trip to the Southern Minches (Sk. Harold Harrison). Landed 500 st. fish and anchored for a few hours rest. 06:40 restarted fishing and crew were on deck shooting when they smelled smoke. Flames coming from cabin. Automatic extinguishers were switched on in the engine room but these did not cover the cabin. Engineer Woodward Millington attempted to get to the cabin but was unable to do so. Crew abandoned and fuel tanks exploded. It was the second occasion that a cabin fire had occurred on the vessel. Castlebay lifeboat rescued the crew.

Click to enlarge images

mfv Star of Freedom FD215
Picture courtesy of Frans Schaap

Changelog
30/10/2016: Page re-published due to site problems.
02/10/2026: Information updated