Blondecell have a longstanding relationship with the Sea Cadet Corps, having previously built two Tradewind 35 yachts for the Offshore Command based at Gosport. A £1.25 million donation from The Jerwood Foundation enabled the Sea Cadet Association to get the project off the ground after the wife of the Foundation's administrator read in The Times that the MoD was unable to finance its build. The vessel is named in memory of John Jerwood, who set up the Foundation.

The TS John Jerwood is designed by David Freeman and Gordon Wyatt of Lymington-based Freeward Marine Limited. The hull is based on designs for commercial fishing boats operating in the Indian Ocean and was moulded by Neil Marine, the largest boatbuilder in Sri Lanka. After being inspected to Lloyds 100+A1 requirements, the hull was loaded as deck cargo on board the Hongkong Express and arrived at Southampton container terminal in June of last year. It was unloaded and towed across the River Test to Blondecell's building shed where the twin 215hp Perkins Sabre turbodiesel engines and other below deck machinery was installed.

While the hull was being moulded in Sri Lanka, Blondecell had been constructing the three main superstructure modules and wheelhouse at Marchwood.

The main superstructure was located in the hull and the vessel then relocated into a purpose-built temporary building in the yard where the wheelhouse was assembled atop the superstructure.

The TS John Jerwood was launched in mid-April and fit-out continued whilst afloat.

Sea trials should be completed this month and following hand-over, the vessel will be based at nearby Gosport.

MJ information No: 17117