The crew met on the Chicken Run at 2.00 pm BST and climbed aboard the Gannet. After removing the cover and checking the oil and fuel, the engine was started and the mooring ropes removed. We took the Gannet to the vertical ladders next to the Museum and retrieved the new tow rope and outhaul rope. The Gannet was then taken to the Three Brothers. The crew transferred and the ropes positioned and checked before the large jib sail was made secure and hoisted followed by the main sail. The bowsprit was a lot easier to push out thanks to new slides at the bow. With the sails up the Three Brothers was straining at the moorings ready for action. The sails were lowered and the Gannet deployed as a tow vessel.

The tow was released at buoy no seven and the sails raised. The light breeze meant that little progress was made in the first half hour. We could not turn through the wind as our forward momentum was too slow so a slow gibe had to be made.

The wind increased slightly and we were able to sail to the South outfall buoy and then made to return to the harbour. The wind started to die down as we approached the harbour entrance just after 5.00pm BST.

The Gannet had to be called up to assist us through the harbour entrance as the wind dropped away and we lost speed. When in the harbour the Gannet took us to the moorings, and the Three Brothers was made secure. The Gannet was then moored up and we departed from the harbour at 6.30pm BST.

Maintenance crew: Ian Johnson, Frank Bull, Albert Brownhill, Ian and Jack Thompson.

Photos by Ian Thompson

Photo by Mike Wilson

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Contact michael.wilson@tesco.net for further information.