About M.Y. Aberdonia

Entertain, celebrate or simply enjoy a few lazy hours on the River Thames. Cruise from our permanent mooring at Chelsea Harbour, downriver through the city to Greenwich and the Thames Barrier or upriver to Kew, Richmond and beyond.

Facilities

Aberdonia is 48ft long and 11.6ft wide, with a large saloon suitable for sit down meals for 8 or buffets for up to 12. There is plenty of seating on deck (which is where you really want to be), and the stern seating is covered with a canopy to protect you from the sun, with clear Perspex sides that can be rolled down in case of rain. There is a Bose CD system with on-deck speakers - bring your own CDs or iPod or choose from the selection on board. She also has central heating!

Food and drink options

You are very welcome to bring your own drinks, and picnic, (although a range of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available on board) or we can cater for your party with a range of food from afternoon tea and sandwiches to a celebration feast with champagne. All bookings are treated individually and tailored to suit your own occasion.

Plan your trip

Please see the maps for alternative pick-up and drop off points to Chelsea Harbour.

M.Y. Aberdonia's History

In 1940, when the British and Allied troops were being pushed out of Europe, a remarkable rescue was launched to evacuate the men massed on the French beaches at Dunkirk and La Panne. A flotilla of some 700 small craft was commandeered to cross the Channel as part of Operation Dynamo. Over a 10 day period, and under heavy fire and bombing, over 338,000 soldiers were returned to Britain aboard vessels of all shapes and sizes including Aberdonia.

Aberdonia survived the evacuation, despite suffering damage. Afterwards, she was retained by the Royal Navy for service on the Thames & Medway patrol for the remainder of the war. She was then owned by The Decca Navigator Company and later Major General Thomas, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Marines.

Aberdonia today

Her present owner, Paul King, began his naval career at the age of 13 aboard the Nautical Training College HMS Worcester, followed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and 10 years as a navigating officer in the Merchant Navy. He bought Aberdonia in 1987 and began chartering from Chelsea Harbour in 1989. Since then many people have enjoyed Aberdonia's hospitality including Johnny Depp, Sir Steven Redgrave, Sir Michael & Lady Shakira Caine, Larry Ellison, Colin Montgomerie, Greg Rusedski, Gloria Hunniford, Howard Marks & David Starkey. She has been chartered by Microsoft, Thames TV, Quickfire Media Ltd, Granada Television, Guidelines to Britain, Friends of the National Maritime Museum, the Bahrain Embassy and visitors to the Connaught, Lanesborough, Four Seasons, Dorchester and Mandarin Oriental hotels just to name a few.