By IW Observer.co.uk
Outside Waterside Pool in Ryde, and clearly visible from the road, is an old boat, now used as a flower bed. The ‘Vera Lynn’ has an interesting back story. It was the vessel used in the opening sequence of the Dr Who episode, ‘The Sea Devils’, fifty years ago. The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and his companion Jo Grant (Katy Manning) are seen in the boat being piloted to a remote island to visit the Master (Roger Delgado).
The boat formerly belonged to Maurice Oakham, who was a boatman at Ryde.
The Sea Devils were introduced in six weekly episodes on BBC1 from February 26 to April 1 in 1972, which were filmed on and around the Isle of Wight and the Solent. The Sea Devils will be returning to our screens in a Dr Who Easter Sunday special on April 17.
Isle of Wight Observer 
Mal Butler