Gypsy Moth IV flies again

The New Zealand marine industry added significantly to its international reputation by completing repairs on Gypsy Moth IV in record time.

The yacht that carried Sir Francis Chichester around the world in nine months and one day between 1966-67 ran aground on Rangiroa Attoll, in the Tuamoto Islands in French Polynesia, on April 28.

Badly damaged, the 53ft timber ketch was shipped to Auckland for restoration to continue the round-the-world voyage she was making for the United Kingdom Sailing Academy. A variety of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds would sail each leg of the voyage.

In Auckland, a team of top people, including members of the Westhaven Yacht Refit Destination Group, supported the all-out effort to get Gypsy Moth IV back in the water in time to make the scheduled leg of her voyage from Sydney. She left for Australia on June 25.

When the ketch went aground Auckland marine surveyor John Macdonald flew to Tahiti to inspect the damage. Once the yacht reached Auckland he worked closely with project supervisor Bob Wilson and the team doing the repairs.

Richard Baggett, lead skipper for the UKSA, says four months' work was compressed into less than four weeks to meet the tight repair and refit schedule. The team repaired the starboard side, the rudder, keel and electrics and replaced the electronics.

He says what most impressed him was the New Zealanders' high standard of workmanship and co-operative can-do attitude.

"Just about every brand of skill and service is available in this small area of Westhaven which makes for great efficiencies."

For nearly 40 years Gypsy Moth IV sat in a concrete dry dock at Greenwich. On November 17, 2004, she was sold by the Maritime Trust to the UKSA for one pound and a gin and tonic. The academy had waged a relentless campaign to raise the money to get the yacht back in the water.

On September 7 last year Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, re-dedicated the yacht at Portsmouth. As patron of UKSA and many other children's charities, the princess was particularly interested in the yacht's new role offering young people the thrills and challenges of the ocean. On September 25 Gypsy Moth IV set off on the voyage that came close to disaster on that reef in Tahiti.

At 2.15 pm tomorrow Princess Anne will be at Westhaven to personally thank all those involved with the repair work. She will meet the tradesman, suppliers and the wider Auckland marine community at the Emirates Team New Zealand shed where the work was carried out.

The Princess particularly asked for an informal occasion that will enable her to mix and mingle with all those involved with the project. Making sure her wishes are carried out is Marine Industry Association chief executive Peter Busfield, who will introduce her to all the main players involved with the rebuild.

The Westhaven Yacht Refit Destination Group was asked by Baggett to help make the occasion special. A not-for-profit initiative, the group was implemented by the MIA and supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Member companies work co-operatively and pool resources, but operate independently on a competitive environment that benefits everyone.

Among the local movers and shakers there tomorrow will be marine industry stalwart John Street, from A Foster & Co. His chandlery supplied much of the material that went into the restored yacht. Street says the finished product is better now than when it left the Camper & Nicholson yard 40 years ago.