Wairakei is a 42-foot ketch-rigged, twin-screw motor yacht originally built by James Silver at Rosneath on the Clyde in 1928. The vessel was constructed to the order of Captain R.J. Sillars and designed by John Bain. Noted for its handsome appearance, the yacht features a cruiser stern and was comfortably fitted for cruising the Western Isles.

Upon launching, the yacht was named Brown Owl and was the first of its class built by the Silver Yard between 1928 and the outbreak of the Second World War. This design was popular and cost £1,650 at the time, a considerable sum in 1928. In November 1929, the renowned Captain O.M. Watts navigated Brown Owl from Rosneath through the Forth and Clyde Canal and down the East Coast to Chelsea on the Thames. He praised the sea-keeping qualities of the John Bain design in Motor Boat magazine.

By the time of the Dunkirk evacuation, the vessel had undergone two name changes, first to Brisk and subsequently to Wairakei. Records of her participation in the Dunkirk operation include a crew list naming I. Hassall, P. Mansfield, and J. Galway. With a draft of 4 feet 6 inches, the navigator demonstrated exceptional skill in bringing the yacht home undamaged.

Later in the war, Wairakei reportedly returned to Scotland for naval patrol duties and was listed as part of the River Clyde Small Boat Pool under the designation RN 209. In 1948, Dame Vera Laughton-Matthews, Commandant of the Wrens, acquired the vessel from the Admiralty and renamed her Vivanti, registering her in London.

Following her return to private ownership, the original Kelvin/Ricardo 15hp petrol/paraffin engines were replaced with two Perkins 4-107 diesel engines, which enabled a maximum displacement speed of approximately 8 knots with additional power reserve. During a major refit in 1999 commissioned by the current owner, the Perkins engines were replaced by two Lister Alpha 40hp diesel engines. This extensive refit included complete hull re-fastening, ensuring the vessel’s sound sea-going condition for the foreseeable future.

In 1991, the yacht reverted to her original name, Brown Owl. The current owners, Mr. and Mrs. Balson, keep her on the River Thames at Teddington, from where she is regularly used. Brown Owl has participated in all Commemorative Returns to Dunkirk since 1980.