Ted Spears, a highly experienced member of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA), has been selected as the specialist surveyor to Lloyd’s Register for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Rowbarge.

Royal Barge

The Royal Barge in construction



Ted Spears is a marine surveyor and designer of wooden boats, and is a Fellow Member of the YDSA. He was awarded his Fellowship by the YDSA in 2011 following his term as YDSA Chairman. A Fellowship is the highest grade of membership available to YDSA members, and Ted was recommended by the association due to his extensive experience as a marine surveyor.

Commissioned through Lord Sterling, the Royal Rowbarge will pay tribute to the role of the River Thames in the history and pageantry of London through the ages, while providing a long-term legacy of the Jubilee. It will be built by traditional boat builder, Mark Edwards of Richmond, and is set to take part in a number of high-profile events throughout the Olympic year, including leading the Jubilee Pageant on the Thames on 03 June.

Jane Gentry CEO at the YBDSA (management company for the YDSA) said: “We are thrilled and proud that Ted has been appointed to undertake this project. 2012 is the Centenary Year of the YBDSA and we are proud to be involved in a small way in the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant, giving focus to the maritime history of our nation.”