Saravan was built for Harry Van Froome and was named for his wife, Sara in 1938. She was put into service as a harbour tug in Victoria Harbour. Between 1940 and 1942 she was owned by the Royal Canadian Navy as a harbour auxiliary and as a boom defense tug stationed at HNCS Naden in Comox, BC.

She was donated to the Ladysmith Heritage Society in 1988 by Ken Mulholland and was refurbished by volunteers. The work was finished in 1991 after which she was used as a passenger vessel for harbour tours. Saravan retired from active duty in 2009 and underwent further restoration to restore her to her original glory.