Alan McKechnie
Alan McKechnie was an original member of the Hampton Safari Boat Club revival initiated by Brian Quarrington back in 2010. As a subscriber of the previous incarnation of the Hampton Safari website that became extinct, and as an avid collector of Hampton Safari Boat Club history, Alan was also instrumental in collecting, collating and preserving much of the early history and other materials included in this website (with appropriate acknowledgements and permission from original authors where ever possible).
Alan was a highly motivated, self reliant person, who overcame the physical restrictions of an artificial leg, and was able to handle and manage his beloved Safari (Maudie) as a competent "single hander" with no support crew, venturing across the whole of the Northern and Southern Broads on a regular and frequent basis. Alan was always ready to share his knowledge and experience and on many occasions acted as an informal guide for less experienced crews (ourselves included) planning trips and crossing Breydon Water in either direction for the early HSBC events.
Alan with "Maudie" at St Benets Abbey ready to set off for a CIC to June 2015 meet at Salhouse Broad
Alan attended the first event in 2011 accompanied by his partner Diane who sadly passed away unexpectedly that same year. As one of the "originals" Alan was a regular attendee at all of our events and was always the first to register.
The club meets and events fostered many lasting and firm friendships most notably with "best buddy" Keith (later joined by Zoe) and through regular Safari cruises with Geoff and Judi (Moonshine) and Ken and Pat (Audere).
Together they spent many days/evenings rafted together on mud weights in Salhouse or Surlingham Broads, or cruising together around the Broads leaving lasting memories of his ready humour, endless jokes, unorthodox mooring techniques, "walky talkie" conversations, a penchant for technology and gadgets, and a commitment to never letting anyone down....
Alan attended all of the club meets between 2013 and 2024. Salhouse 2024 was to prove to be Alan's last boat club event, which despite ill health he still managed to attend in his beloved Safari "Maudie". Sadly Alan passed away just a few short weeks later and has been missed by many at subsequent events.