And... She's Back!  Spirit of South Carolina returns to Charleston

After almost 4 weeks in Shipyard, the Schooner returns home ready to resume her mission.  

Joe Gorman mouses a shackle on the
Jumbo sheet prior to departure
from Thunderbolt Shipyard

"Old Salts"(Original Volunteers involved in her construction and early days) joined newer Volunteers to deliver a successful Haul-out project.

No one who has ever renovated a house, restored a car, remodeled a kitchen, or renewed a vehicle registration at DMV, can claim that the effort concluded on time or on budget.  You make the best of plans, then just steel yourself to accept the unexpected, open the wallet, and press on.

 And so it was for Spirit of South Carolina's biannual requirement, as an Inspected Vessel, to be hauled out of the water for a comprehensive inspection by the Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping, and undergoing of planned repairs. 

What was hoped for in advanced planning, and actually encouraged by the Shipyard and Inspection teams, was a week or so period on the hard to inspect and repair.   What actually happened,, well, is already described in the previous 3 blog postings.  

Suffice to say, after planned  work, plus the unexpected labor of disassembling and reassembling, all 16 thru-hull valves,  five replaced  hull planks at the waterline,  shutting down of the Shipyard lift for its own repairs,  the expected time and expense  increased by,, well, a lot.

Phil Frandino hands down the power
cable to crew member, Matt, for stowage
 in the lazerette, prior to departure.

The additional impact was the loss of two paid crew who had to depart mid project to meet other obligations. To the gratitude of the remaining crew, Spirit's Volunteers stepped up.

  During the time of  Spirit's haul-out, Volunteers Ken Fonville, and Layne Carver  joined the crew at the shipyard for a total of five days.  Bryan Oliver helped deliver her from Charleston to the Shipyard, stayed 23 days and returned to deliver her back to Charleston.  "Old Salts,"  Phil Frandino and Joe Gorman answered the call for Volunteers to help crew her on the return delivery.  Others, like Tom Bierce, "Old Salt", Chris Sosnowski, and Dan Maurin  stood by to  help out with transportation as needed.  Ken was waiting for Spirit at the dock when she ghosted up to the Maritime Center this morning after an all-night passage, to take her lines.

Volunteers, Bryan Oliver, Ken Fonville,
Phil Frandino, and Joe Gorman
after securing the ship at the
Charleston Maritime Center dock

Now, back home, Spirit of South Carolina is poised to resume her series of public Harbor Cruises to generate revenue pending the hoped for, but not yet confirmed Semester at Sea in January with the College of Charleston.  Volunteers interested in joining the crew for these Public cruises, contact Bryan Oliver, the Volunteer Coordinator. Check out the Volunteer Calendar for dates, as they are made known.

As a post-script, it's worth noting that, the work of delivering Spirit of South Carolina home was accomplished by a crew consisting of almost 50 percent-Volunteers.  Including those that answered the call and stood by, prepared to help in other capacities,  the proportion tips the scale further.  

As it should be. 

Spirit of South Carolina was built by our community for a community purpose.  Her future success will depend on the community's continued engagement through its Volunteer effort.   

Charleston Mercury posts an Excellent Two-part article featuring Spirit of South Carolina

A feature article in two parts by Ben Schools was recently published in "The Charleston Mercury" focusing on Spirit of South Carolina.  The articles tell an excellent, well-written story of the schooner from her birth to the present, layered in imagery, and delivering a powerful message in her behalf. It is a story worth sharing with anyone remotely interested in South Carolina's Maritime Heritage, local history, youth education.  The links to the story may be copied and shared, or you may point directly to the Spirit of South Carolina website, under the Spirit News tab.

"A Kindred Spirit Part I Charleston Mercury 8/1/19

"A Kindred Spirit Part II, Charleston Mercury 9/5/19

Spirit of South Carolina is back in the Water 

Final Inspections, Tide,  Weather, and Crew to determine her return to Charleston.

Crew members Mattt, Charlie, and Catie
 stand by as the tractor positions Spirit's
rail carriage supports for moving onto the Sync Lift

After 23 days on the hard, Spirit of South Carolina successfully negotiated her Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping(ABS) Inspection requirements, completed necessary repairs, and was lowered back into the water at Thunderbolt Shipyard at 0800 today. Even the return provided unique challenges to the Shipyard in supporting a traditionally rigged tall ship. It required more than one special maneuver of the shipyard's railway carriages, to sufficiently position her forward in the lift so as to clear her spars, stretching outboard over her hull.  Once in the water, Capt Cleveland guided her around to the Face dock where she is currently tied up for final closing of accounts, and a last minute ABS inspection-in-the-water.

Crew losses are posing a challenge to bringing her back.

Deckhand Catie walks  the rail carriage for one last
 inspection of her new bottom paint job.

Over the final two weeks, two crew members disembarked to  attend to other professional and personal priorities, leaving just five total professionals aboard . Volunteer, Bryan Oliver, returned from a vacation to join crew for the "splashing" and prep to return, but still leaves holes on the Watch Bill to fully man her, even for a planned 12-hour motor-sail back to Charleston.  Thanks to some Volunteers who initially agreed to join the crew for the return.. However, the continuous shifting of launch/ and sailing dates forced them to back-down.  Unfortunately, the shifting of sailing dates are driven by a number of issues, that make forecasting a return date a sort of crap-shoot.

Inspectors, Tide, Weather all combine to complicate the departure date

Bear with me, as I explain:
To get to sea, Spirit of South Carolina is restricted to crossing the shoal "bar" at entrance of Wassaw Sound, during high tide. ABS has not yet confirmed a Thursday morning appointment for a final "wet" inspection of the hull and fittings. A delay would domino effect to the next high tide.  Meanwhile, a Weather system is forming to the north, which would prevent Spirit of South Carolina from advancing northward during the time window of late Friday thru Saturday,  a further delay.  It all makes for a frustrating exercise in forecasting a departure date.
Nevertheless, she needs additional crew to put to sea,, experience not necessary. If you feel you can join the crew anytime between now, and next Tuesday, and flex with the unknowns, or just have questions,  contact Bryan Oliver; 314.409.0433; ( bryan@spiritofsc.org).  There's plenty of prep work and sea-stowing to complete before departure, and all hands can help.
It's only a 2-hour and 15 minute drive down the road.
 If multiple volunteers can come down, we will attempt to coordinate a ride-share arrangement, as well as arrangements to retrieve vehicles.