[Church in Wales] One of the more unusual landmarks in Cardiff Bay is celebrating two big anniversaries this week. 

The distinctive red Lightship is 60 this year and has also been in service as a floating Christian centre for the past two decades.  

Berthed at Harbour Drive in 1993, it was one of the first waterfront attractions at Cardiff Bay and remains a key feature. As well as being a base for Cardiff Bay chaplains, the ship runs a popular galley cafe and has rooms for meetings or quiet contemplation. 

To celebrate the joint anniversaries, Lightship 2000, the charity which runs it, is holding a dinner and auction onboard on Thursday (July 11). Guest speaker is Jonathan Jones CBE, Director of Welsh Government Office, London and formerly Chief Executive of Visit Wales.  

John Winton, chair of the trustees, said, “The lightship is a unique place, a firm fixture in the eclectic mix of the Bay’s attractions. Over the years, it has welcomed thousands of visitors from all walks of life and provided affordable, quality refreshment. We have also created some excellent partnerships in the Cardiff area under the Corporate Social Responsibility programmes of several companies including KPMG, Full Circle, Associated British ports and the Cardiff Harbour Authority. We hope as many people as possible will call in over the next few months and help us celebrate this double anniversary.” 

Light Vessel 14 was launched on September 22 1953 from the yard of Philip and Sons shipbuilders of Dartmouth costing £80,685. Later that year, she was commissioned by Trinity House and initially stationed at Kentish Knock. After that she served at a number of other stations including Cowes, Scarweather and Morecombe Bay. 

Weighing 550 tons with an overall length of 137 feet, LV14 was built to withstand all the might of the sea. It took 11 people to crew the vessel with seven on board at any one time. In 1975 a landing platforms was added so that the crews could be changed by helicopter.

The LV14 was last stationed off Rhossili, on the Gower Peninsula, in South Wales from 1984 - 1989. The beam from the light tower could be seen from 25 miles away and warned sailors of the Helwick Swatch, a treacherous sand bank. 

With help from Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, LV14 was purchased in 1993 and restoration begun to create a floating Christian Centre.  The “berthing ceremony” was held on 7th October 1993.