Freemasons become Seamasons with UK's first boating lodge

The Freemasons are becoming Seamasons with first ‘boating lodge’ being launched in the UK in the next few months

The Freemasons are becoming Seamasons with first ‘boating lodge’ being launched in the UK in the next few months.

Spinnaker Lodge is one of many new ‘special interest’ lodges in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight combining members’ interests with a particular sport or pastime and their Masonic activities.

Southampton Boat Show

More than 9,000 masons operate in the area, many of whom either own their own boat or crew on a regular basis.

Master of the Lodge, Frank Milner, owns a Moody 27. Frank told MBY that he is looking forward to ‘recruiting new crew members and receiving advice and help with maintenance projects from fellow boating enthusiasts.’

Spring and late summer meetings are planned at Masonic centres near marinas around the Solent. Members will arrive by boat for an afternoon pontoon party followed by the serious stuff of the meeting itself, and a social involving wives and partners.

Chris Waight, owner of ‘Vulnerable’, a Fairline Targa 47, said: “Joining the new Spinnaker lodge will give me a great opportunity to meet up with other freemasons who like me, enjoy boating.”

“I’ve been a freemason for over 20 years and really enjoy and value the friendships I’ve made in that time,” said Chris. “Joining the new Spinnaker lodge will give me a great opportunity to meet up with other freemasons who, like me, enjoy boating.”

Although Freemasons have been an open and transparent organisation for some time, there are still many public misconceptions. Freemasonry describes itself as ‘a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness, and is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations.’