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.