Torbay's "ferry wars" forced her removal from service,[6] and in December 2015, RML 497 was acquired by the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

She was originally stationed with the 62nd ML Flotilla, based at Portland, Dorset, then in January 1944 was transferred to Kirkwall, in the Orkney Islands, being used for anti-submarine target towing.

[1] In 1946, Mr Edhouse of Totnes purchased four of the RMLs, and converted them for use as passenger vessels on a ferry service from Torquay to Brixham, across Torbay in South Devon.

The ferry had been run up until 1934 by the Devon Dock, Pier & Steamship Co, but had then lapsed, due to the vessel used, the SS King Edward, failing her boiler survey.

The owners of Greenway Ferry inspected her, and were given less than 24 hours to buy her by the harbour master, to avoid her being sold at auction to pay off the debts.

After a brief call in Brixham, Western Lady went to Polruan in Cornwall, where she was given a major (£35,000) refit, to return her to MCA standards, and to refurbish her passenger accommodation in Art Deco style.

In August 2009, she returned to Torbay, undertaking a series of 'Welcome Home' sailings, with the guest of honour being one of her wartime skippers, Eustace 'Mac' Mackmurdo, aged 93.

[14] The Fairmile replaced MV Riviera Belle on the day cruise route from Torquay via Brixham then along the coast to Dartmouth, and up the River Dart to Greenway Quay.

[16] She was moved to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool from Southampton in 2019 in anticipation of a conservation programme to get her on permanent display.

The vessel was placed in a purpose-built shelter in a car park to dry out, with the National Museum of the Royal Navy continuing to monitor her moisture levels as they slowly decrease.