Movie star boat needs Channel Island lifeboat rescue

Thursday 19 October 2023

A broken down and dismasted vessel recently rescued by Alderney's lifeboat crew has been revealed as the boat featured in the 2017 blockbuster, Dunkirk.

The movie told a fictionalised version of the story around the role the 'little boats' played in the rescue of tens of thousands of British, French and other Allied soldiers.

Around 850 private boats sailed from Ramsgate on the Kent coast to Dunkirk in France as part of Operation Dynamo between 26 May and 4 June 1940.

Pictured: Director Christopher Nolan aboard 'Moonstone' on the set of World War II action thriller Dunkirk.

They were tasked with helping to rescue as many of the estimated 336,000 soldiers trapped on the beaches during the outset of the German Occupation of France during the early stages of the Second World War. 

In the film, Mark Rylance and Barry Keoghan depicted an older and younger man who set sail on the fictional vessel, 'Moonstone'.

In recent reality, the 43ft motorised sailing boat which was cast as Moonstone sailed into difficultly while navigating the Channel earlier this month.

Just found out the boat rescued by Alderney @RNLI recently was the star of the film Dunkirk 2017. Most of the filming involved this little boat.

Well done @RNLI for rescuing this historic boat which helped tell the important story of Dunkirk. https://t.co/5X5vsgX196 pic.twitter.com/tav26qcYeq

— Alex Snowdon (@AlexSnowdon5) October 16, 2023

On 6 October, the Alderney RNLI was called to assist after the boat's engine failed and it was dismasted in rough weather.

The boat's movie star identity was only discovered after the rescue, with States of Alderney Member Alex Snowdon posting social media to praise the rescuers.

"Well done RNLI for rescuing this historic boat which helped tell the important story of Dunkirk," he said.