The Launch of our S.N.2 WW2 Special Operations Replica Surf Boat

If you’ve visited the museum in the last 18 months, you’ve probably witnessed a hive of activity in the Boatbuilding workshop, with staff and volunteers working hard to create a replica of the S.N.2 Special Operations Executive (SOE) Surf boat – a boat synonymous with daring missions from the Helford River during World War 2.

On Friday 8 May – VE Day 2026, with the help of Devoran Gig Club, Falmouth Haven, and Portreath Surf Life Saving Club, the completed S.N.2 Surf boat took its maiden voyage, launching off the slipway adjacent to the Museum.

The launch drew a large crowd of people eager to see the beautiful vessel take to the water for the very first time. The sun shone, and the gig rowers reported very smooth handling.

Building the replica has been a considerable challenge, as Boat Collection Manager, Bob White explains: “We heard about the story of Howard Rendle from one of our volunteers and started to investigate further. We managed to find plans at National Maritime Museum Greenwich, including ‘lines drawings’ and a fit out plan at a 1:12 scale, but not all dimensions were marked. We had a single photo to work from, which we found in a book.”

The design features an innovative cold-moulded, double diagonal construction that was cutting-edge technology for its time. This innovative building style was made possible by the development of new adhesives and used in both boat and aircraft construction to produce lightweight and extremely rigid forms.

During the Second World War, the Helford River was a critical launching point for daring SOE missions into occupied France. On Christmas Day 1943, Howard Rendle of Port Navas skippered the S.N.2 and rescued 27 people – escaping resistance workers, downed allied airmen and Secret Intelligence Service agents. With Falmouth considered too risky, the men were brought back to the Helford SOE base.

Bob adds: “There are undoubtedly many local people whose relatives either aided these daring missions or were the heroes who were rescued. Building this replica has been a poignant journey and I hope we can use it to bring this important chapter of our local history to life in more detail.”

The S.N.2 will take to the water again at Military Day at Trebah Garden on 30 May.

You may even spot it at other events this summer including Falmouth Classics, Port Navas Regatta and Falmouth Carnival.

We look forward to the boat being the main feature of a temporary exhibition planned at the Museum in Autumn 2026, watch this space for more details.