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.