home > Press - Press Releases - Gipsy Moth Iv Team Look to the Future
Gipsy Moth IV Team Look to the Future
7th May 2006 10.00 hrs [updating on the previous press statement of 10.00 hrs Friday 6th May 2006].
In less than a week since Gipsy Moth IV ran aground on a remote Atoll between the Marquesas Islands and Tahiti, the vessel has been successfully re-floated and towed to safety where detailed inspections of the damage sustained and initial repairs can begin.
A team of experts from around the world has worked together to ensure the iconic yacht was removed from the reef as quickly as possible whilst limiting any further damage to the vessel. The success of the operation was due to a combination of skilled local salvage experts familiar with yachts running aground in their area, Captain Burt Keijwegt of internationally renown Smit Salvage who has been involved in some of the most difficult salvage operations in recent years, Richard Baggett of the UKSA who led the restoration in 2005 and has skippered Gipsy Moth IV since her re-launch in June last year numerous times and the UK based operations centre manned 24 hours a day by senior members of UKSA staff.
The most critical aspects of the rescue operation are now over, the re-floating of the vessel and passage from Rangiroa Atoll to Tahiti were accomplished without further incident.
The Gipsy Moth IV Team are hopeful that Gipsy Moth IV will sail into Sydney on the 9th July as planned. Onboard will be, James Blake, son of adventurer Sir Peter Blake who will accompany a young person from the Isle of Wight across the Tasman Sea where the yacht is expected to receive a warm welcome from the people of Australia, just as Sir Francis did back in 1966. Celebrations in the city are set to include a visit from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal who will open a Gipsy Moth IV exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum, host a dinner for over 500 Australian yachting enthusiasts and sail aboard the iconic round-the-world yacht around the famous Sydney Harbour. HRH The Princess Royal is a Patron of the UK Sailing Academy and has supported the Gipsy Moth IV Project since the beginning and has inspected the yacht several times since its restoration.
Although the damage to the vessel is considerable, offers of help and support from around the world are providing the Gipsy Moth IV Team with the confidence that the yacht can be repaired on time. The UKSA, owners of Gipsy Moth IV, is in talks with several boat yards in New Zealand and the facilities, skills and manpower at each yard are being assessed to make sure the best yard is chosen for the job.
Repairs to Gipsy Moth IV are not expected to be cheap and at this time of need, there has never been a more important time for people to show their support for this charitable project. Many young people have benefited from the amazing experience of going to sea on one of the world’s most famous yachts. An education programme linked to the project has been given to every school in the UK as well as schools in Australia and the USA. Linked to the National Curriculum, the programme contains exercises linked to the voyage and has seen schoolchildren of all ages following the voyage, watching the video clips sent back from the yacht and keeping up to date with the yacht’s journey through the project’s website.
Gipsy Moth IV’s global voyage covers almost every academic subject from Geography to Maths and Science to English and schools across the UK and beyond have incorporated the voyage into their educational programmes.
Ends
Further information
David Green - CEO UKSA
07970 628439
dgreen@uksa.org
Anna Symcox - PR Manager
07709 485674
anna.symcox@uksa.org
return to main press release page
NOTE TO MEDIA
For further press information, please contact:
Anna Symcox
PR Manager & PA to the CEO
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 203016
Fax: +44 (0) 1983 295938
Mob: +44 (0) 7709 485674
Email: anna.symcox@uksa.org
Web: www.uksa.org |
|
For photography, please visit our gallery.
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
UKSA is recognised as the world’s leading Sailing Academy. It is a registered charity and non – profit making organisation supported by the Lister Trust. Based in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight it has superb, modern facilities with residential accommodation and operates a fleet of over 300 craft. UKSA provide a wide range of courses aimed at adults, young people and the disabled. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Patron to the Academy and Dame Ellen MacArthur, Nick Moloney and Shirley Robertson OBE are their Ambassadors.
Yachting Monthly
Gipsy Moth IV's second world voyage celebrates the 100th birthday of leading marine publication Yachting Monthly magazine and the 40th anniversary of Sir Francis' celebrated single-handed voyage.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is the economic development agency for the Isle of Wight. Their unique position allows them to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors and ensure a coordinated approach in improving the Island's economy.
Corum Swiss Timepieces official time keeper for the Gipsy Moth IV Project
return to main press release page
