The crew of the East Sussex 1, the national training vessel of the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS), is currently stationed in Dunkirk, standing by to support the historic return of the Dunkirk Little Ships to British shores. Their mission is part of the 85th anniversary commemoration of Operation Dynamo, the 1940 evacuation that saved more than 338,000 Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk during World War II.
Last week, nearly 70 Little Ships sailed from Ramsgate to Dunkirk to honour this remarkable chapter in history. These vessels, many over a century old, formed a poignant tribute to the original civilian boats that risked everything to rescue stranded soldiers under enemy fire.
Accompanying them across the busy English Channel were seven Royal Navy patrol vessels providing safe escort, alongside support craft including the Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat, a flotilla from the Nelson Owners Association, and the MVS flagship East Sussex 1.
During the outward journey, East Sussex 1 took up station at the rear of the convoy, ensuring stragglers received assistance. In challenging weather conditions, the vessel played a key role in safely guiding two Thames sailing barges and a steam-powered tug into Dunkirk harbour as winds intensified.
While the original plan was for the fleet to return on Monday, poor weather and rough seas have delayed the homeward voyage. Many of the Little Ships, originally designed for the calm upper Thames, cannot navigate the current conditions. With the Royal Navy patrol boats now returned to other duties, only East Sussex 1 and a few private support launches remain in Dunkirk, ready to accompany the fleet once the sea state improves. The Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat will rendezvous with the convoy outside the harbour.
The Maritime Volunteer Service, a UK-wide uniformed maritime training organisation and charity, is staffed entirely by volunteers. Its mission is to keep seafarers’ skills alive and provide practical support to local communities in times of need. The East Sussex 1 serves as its national training vessel, offering experience in seamanship, navigation, and maritime operations to volunteers of all ages.
David Hughes, skipper of East Sussex 1, said: “Our volunteer crew will stay here as long as necessary and are happy to support this important commemoration.
We are honoured to be here, particularly as our Royal Patron, Prince Michael of Kent, is also Honorary Admiral of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships. We were pleased that His Royal Highness was able to meet the MVS crew following a ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery and memorial. He showed great interest in the MVS’s role in this significant event.”
The MVS’s presence at this historic occasion underlines its continued commitment to heritage, service, and maritime safety. The organisation’s support for the Return of the Little Ships highlights the valuable contribution that skilled volunteers make to national and community life—both in remembrance and readiness.
