Return to Falmouth for tall ship damaged in freak storm
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
FollowA tall ship which was crippled by a "freak" Atlantic storm and then stranded in the Westcountry awaiting repairs has returned to the region "fighting fit" for the first time since the incident.
The Fryderyk Chopin lost both masts 100 miles out to sea with a crew of 47 young cadet sailors en-route to the Caribbean last November.
The Polish vessel limped into Falmouth where a skeleton crew were trapped for months while officials sorted out a tangle of red tape over repairs, eventually leaving with a brand new rig, installed by A&P Falmouth.
Now all she needs is a star to steer her by after revisiting her temporary home yesterday as she again makes her way to the Caribbean, the journey she was supposed to be making when her rig broke.
First mate Mathew Potemdski said it was a proud moment for the crew to enter the harbour "with all the square sails set".
He said: "It is great to be back because we have got a lot of friends here who made us feel very welcome and organised everything," he added.
"We set sail again for Spain then the Canaries on Thursday and the most important part of the voyage will be when we pass the place where we lost the masts last year."
The visit is part of an ongoing programme of visits to Falmouth harbour by tall ships from around the world.
Also in the harbour for the first time since 1966 is the 57m Norwegian tall ship Sørlandet, the oldest operating full-rigged ship in the world.
John Hick, founder and chairman of Falmouth Tall Ships Association, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming these two vessels back to the port – it will be great to see the Chopin back, fighting fit with her new rig."
The Fryderyk Chopin lost both masts 100 miles out to sea with a crew of 47 young cadet sailors en-route to the Caribbean last November.
The Polish vessel limped into Falmouth where a skeleton crew were trapped for months while officials sorted out a tangle of red tape over repairs, eventually leaving with a brand new rig, installed by A&P Falmouth.
Now all she needs is a star to steer her by after revisiting her temporary home yesterday as she again makes her way to the Caribbean, the journey she was supposed to be making when her rig broke.
First mate Mathew Potemdski said it was a proud moment for the crew to enter the harbour "with all the square sails set".
He said: "It is great to be back because we have got a lot of friends here who made us feel very welcome and organised everything," he added.
"We set sail again for Spain then the Canaries on Thursday and the most important part of the voyage will be when we pass the place where we lost the masts last year."
The visit is part of an ongoing programme of visits to Falmouth harbour by tall ships from around the world.
Also in the harbour for the first time since 1966 is the 57m Norwegian tall ship Sørlandet, the oldest operating full-rigged ship in the world.
John Hick, founder and chairman of Falmouth Tall Ships Association, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming these two vessels back to the port – it will be great to see the Chopin back, fighting fit with her new rig."
