Boleh—meaning “can do” in Malay—is more than just a name. It’s a spirit of resilience that lives on through a beautifully restored 1949 sailing vessel and the charity that steers her today. Once left in disrepair, Boleh was brought back to life by a passionate team of volunteers and now sails with purpose. From her home port at Haslar Marina, Gosport, Boleh serves as a floating classroom and sanctuary, offering transformative sail training programs that focus on skills-building, mental wellbeing, and inclusion.
Built to Be Different
Boleh’s story begins with Commander Robin Kilroy—a naval officer, decorated war hero, and, perhaps most importantly, a visionary. Inspired by the sailing vessels he encountered during his time in the Far East, Kilroy set out to build something entirely new. The result was Boleh: a one-of-a-kind 40-foot “junk yacht” shaped by the lines of dhows, Chinese junks, and other traditional working boats. She was built in Singapore in the late 1940s using chengai, a dense Malayan hardwood known for its strength, so tough it’s said to be heavier than oak.
Her rig is just as unique as her build. Kilroy designed a sliding gunter rig with wishbone booms and a quadruped mast—features borrowed and adapted from the junk sails he admired. The setup made Boleh easy to handle even with a small crew and left plenty of space below deck for living and storage. She wasn’t just designed to sail—she was built to explore.
And explore she did. In 1950, Kilroy and a small crew—including two fellow naval officers, a naval shipwright, and a cook—sailed Boleh from Singapore to Salcombe, Devon. Their journey spanned more than eight months and included stopovers in Sabang, Colombo, Minikoi, the Seychelles, Mauritius, Port Elizabeth, Simonstown, St Helena, Ascension, and the Cape Verde Islands. It was a bold passage that reflected both Kilroy’s spirit and the vessel’s capability.
Decades later, when Boleh was little more than a forgotten hull, another craftsman saw her potential. Roger Angel, a skilled joiner with a passion for boats, found her in rough shape—an insurance write-off, abandoned in a mud berth in Rye. But like Kilroy, Roger saw more than just a boat. He saw what she could be. And so, he began the long process of restoring her, piece by piece, honouring her past while giving her a future.
Today, Boleh is berthed at Haslar Marina in Gosport, within the sheltered waters of Portsmouth Harbour. While she shares the harbour with icons like HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, and The Mary Rose, she sits apart—both in location and in legacy.
Boleh’s design and story might not follow a traditional path—but then again, neither do the people she’s here to serve.
More Than a Boat
Today, the Boleh Trust is a registered charity offering outreach programs to schools, veterans, and community groups. What happens aboard Boleh goes far beyond sailing. The Trust focuses on developing real-life skills, building confidence, and fostering inclusion—especially for those who face social, emotional, or financial challenges.
Young people learn not just how to handle a sail, but how to work together, take responsibility, and solve problems as a team. Veterans and adults in recovery find connection, structure, and a renewed sense of purpose. And through partnerships with local organisations and schools, the Trust ensures that access to the water—and all the benefits that come with it—isn’t limited to just a few.
Thanks to support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and other local partners, the Trust has been able to keep Boleh not only afloat but thriving. And with every voyage, her legacy grows—not just as a historic vessel, but as a beacon of what’s possible when people are given the right space to grow.
Why Mustang Survival Stands Behind Boleh
At Mustang Survival, we understand what it means to trust the sea—and to trust the people who share it with us. Our mission has always been to keep people safe and confident on the water, whether they’re working, exploring, or healing. That’s why we’re proud to support the Boleh Trust.
This partnership isn’t just about providing gear like our award-winning Atlas 190 Life Jacket—it’s about standing behind a cause that reflects our core values. Boleh’s story is one of adventure, heritage, and the quiet strength that comes from working together. It’s a living reminder that time on the water can change lives, and that safety and self-discovery can go hand in hand.
Nicola Shepard, International Marketing Manager at Mustang Survival and a volunteer with the Boleh Trust, sees that impact firsthand:
"I’ve seen how powerful it is when someone believes in a young person—or an adult who’s faced real challenges—and gives them the chance to learn something practical and hands-on. Being part of this charity means I can help people grow in confidence, find purpose, and feel a true sense of belonging."
Together, we’re championing a future where maritime tradition, community support, and personal transformation continue to sail side by side. Visit the Boleh Project website to learn more or to donate to help keep Boleh's mission afloat.
