15th June 2026:
KC Returns to Service

KC returned to service in sparkling form on Monday 15th June 2026 after completion of Phase 2 of her major rebuild.

The first part in 2023/24 included renewing all the steelwork below the waterline throughout the ship as necessary, the hull strake just under the deck both sides from the engine room to the stern, the frames, stringers, keelsons and bulkheads throughout and all the decking aft of the wheelhouse. You can see some pictures showing the extent and quality of this work here.

Phase 2 included renewing the hull strake just below the deck both sides from the engine room to the bow and renewing all the decking forward of the wheelhouse at a cost of around £200K.

The overall cost has therefore come in at just over £700K which has been  funded from surpluses from the trading income during the Medway years, grants from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, fund raising through our website and PO Box and in-house donations in kind of the River Dart Steam Railway and River Boat Company’s labour costs and use of their slipway and other facilities at the Dartmouth shipyard at no cost.

If this sort of rebuild had taken place in a commercial yard charging commercial rates the cost would more likely have been between £2 and £3 million.

So a big thank you to the River Dart Steam Railway and River Boat Company, the PSPS and to everyone who has so generously donated to the cause.

When you step aboard it is hard not to notice the very high quality of the work which has been done. The Dart Company has a tip top team with high end skills in woodworking, steelwork, engineering and general maintenance.

Here are a few pics of her back in service this week:

Once again KC is running one hour harbour cruises from Dartmouth this season in connection with the steam train from Paignton on a regular basis. However she does not run every day. To check if she is running on a specific date please ring 01803 555 872.