UK charity – Forces Veterans Afloat – restoring boats for veterans in need

Monday, March 31st, 2025

Leisure Marine

UK battery distributor Ecobat Battery is providing support to Forces Veterans Afloat by supplying batteries for the charity’s vessels, which are used to assist veterans.

Forces Veterans Afloat (FVA) was conceived by Andy Flint, a member of an abandoned boat group on Facebook, who proposed in July 2021 that river and canal users, boat owners, and businesses collaborate to restore a boat and loan it to a former service member experiencing homelessness.

Following a strong initial response, a community formed to support the initiative, contributing a secure yard for restoration, transportation for the finished boat, and a narrowboat for the project. By 20 December 2024, when the charity was officially registered, it had nine vessels under its stewardship.

In 2025, Ecobat Battery committed to supplying a Numax XV31MF battery for starting an outboard motor and three Lucas LSLC125-12 habitation batteries to provide onboard power for the charity’s latest vessel, Susie Splash.

Susie Splash is Forces Veterans Afloat’s first cabin cruiser, rather than a narrowboat. The 26ft Creighton, launched in 1969 and powered by a 15hp Honda engine, remains in good condition, according to the charity. The vessel was donated by its previous owner and is currently moored at Sawley, where the charity’s project manager and boat master are assessing the necessary restoration work before it is made available for use by a veteran.

Mark Allsopp of Ecobat Battery says: “Despite the commercial challenges every business faces, it’s great to be able to support such a worthy charity that is dedicated to helping ex-services personnel who have done so much for the country, but now find themselves homeless and otherwise abandoned.

“These batteries will provide the vital power Susie Splash needs to allow a veteran to live a normal life, albeit on water, and start to rebuild their lives in a warm and safe environment with the electrical essentials they need. So, we’re delighted to play a small part in this significant and worthwhile cause.”