More than a quarter of a century ago, a group of like minded chaps hit on the idea of singing sea shanties for fun. Despite it being a late night at the yacht club, most of us remembered the idea the day after and thus The Motley Crew was born.
Since then, we’ve sung at festivals, fetes, smack and barge matches, regattas, dinners, weddings, parties, shop openings and numerous other events.
Highlights include performing at the London Marathon, the Cutty Sark, the Colchester Oyster Feast, Brightlingsea's Blessing of the Waters and shanty festivals at Harwich, Brancaster and Leigh on Sea.
We've worked with the NHS twice. In 2021 we recorded a shanty promoting Covid vaccinations, performing the result live on BBC and ITV breakfast programmes. Our second collaboration, in 2025, urged people to get a flu jab.
We've supported lots of charities over the years, but our main charity is the RNLI (as most of us sail, we figure it's a good investment). We've raised nearly £50,000 for the RNLI and others.
Now with 13 crew members, we're busier than ever, entertaining audiences with our unique harmonies, wide repertoire and more than a little humour. We like to leave our audiences smiling!
If you'd like us to sing for you, click the button below to get in touch.
Otherwise known as the tenors, the screechers claim to reach impossibly high notes without artificial aids.
Chris (Shantyman)
Bob (Junior)
Colin
Richard (YTS)
The tunesmiths
The tunes sing the bits everybody knows and think everyone else in the crew is just showing off.
Bob (McBob)
Mike
Rob
Bob (Pencil)
Iain
Phil
Payne
The growlers
The bass section labours down in the engine room, occasionally rattling windows and scaring dogs.
David (Bosun)
Richard
Where to see us
Not all our gigs are open to the public, but if you're thinking of booking us, the list below will help you to avoid a clash of dates.
Live & Unplugged
January 30, 2026
7:30 pm
St Osyth Boatyard, Mill Street, St Osyth CO16 8EW
We’re delighted to be singing on the Thames barge May for an evening of shanty songs and songs about the sea. A fundraising event celebrating the launch of Bread and Roses project’s Community Bakery,
I was delighted when informed of the consistent fundraising the Motley Crew has done to raise vital funds for the RNLI. Thank you for your loyalty in helping the RNLI to continue to save lives at sea.
Jon Knight
Head of Community Engagement, RNLI
Speaking with our staff, they felt that the shanties really brought the ship to life. It goes without saying that you are welcome to come back and perform again in the future
Aaron Hewett
General Manager, Cutty Sark
I would just like to write to say thank you so much for organising a fundraising event for our Raise the Roof appeal. It is really touching when someone organises an independent event of their own volition, especially one that is so different.
Lia Smith
Secretary, Porridge & Pens
Just to say thank you to you and the ‘Crew’ for making our WI Centenary Evening such fun. Without exception every one said how much they had enjoyed the evening, such a great atmosphere!
Jo Barnes
Weeley WI
I’ve just paid good money for a CD of yours , and I want you to know that I’m appalled. I’m appalled that you haven’t yet got a golden disc – it’s absolutely brilliant! I do so love to hear you sing and I applaud your objective
