The Schooner Christian Foundation is dedicated to building and commissioning a schooner. Our mission is to provide a ship which will carry a pastor, a doctor and a teacher to remote islands lacking facilities.

The idea first came to mind in Papua New Guinea when Patrick Vickers met Chris Abel. Chris is the descendant of Charles Abel who came out to PNG with the London Missionary Society in 1891. His work based on the island of Kwato is legendary.

About one hundred years later Patrick came to PNG from London and worked with the government health service for 5 years. During this time he became acutely aware of the great need for improved health provision. Having served in the Royal Navy, the idea of a mission ship came quite naturally, after meeting Chris.

Much progress has been made. Plans were purchased from Bruce Roberts, an Australian naval architect. These have been lofted on to plywood which has been used for tracing the lines and fabricating steel frames. These frames have been erected upside down and connected with stringers. The keel and skeg have been constructed. The hull plate of marine grade steel has been tack-welded into place.