The Douglas fir deck was made completely watertight and weatherproof with Sikaflex 290 DC, an easy to use, one compound polyurethane deck caulking compound with high UV resistance.

Sikaflex 291 was also used for repairs to the stemband and parts of the mahogany hull, while Sikaflex 292, a high strength marine adhesive and sealant, was used to make the deck wells of the open deck fully watertight.

Sika also provided ongoing technical assistance and expertise throughout the restoration project to the boat's owners, the Frinton & Walton Heritage Trust, which plans to use the restored vessel as a floating exhibition illustrating traditional boatbuilding methods and design.

James Stevens No 14 is included in the top 150 ships and boats on the National Register of Historic Vessels. It is being restored at the Titchmarsh Marina at Walton-on-the-Naze.

The Trust's historian John Steer, whose grandfather and great grandfather crewed the lifeboat said, 'Although we have tried to use authentic methods and materials where possible, we could not ignore the advantages of using the latest Sika technologies in successfully preserving such a unique vessel.'

MJInformation No: 21938