After a period away from sailing and yachts I have started as a volunteer on the Australian National Maritime Museum's historic ketch Kathleen Gillett.
www.sea.museum/whats-on/our-fleet/kathleen-gillett
The plan is to restore her as a regular sailing vessel rather than as a purely static exhibit. A group of volunteers will be formed to be able to make up a crew when required to sail her. Sailing will be in the harbour.
After spending yesterday on her with some of the other volunteers my first task is writing her MOB drills, and maybe some other parts of the operating guide. If I am lucky and get the skills in sailing her I may get to be a skipper.
We are extremely fortunate to have John 'Steamer' Stanley OAM leading us.
I reckon I will enjoy this.
The Museum is looking for experienced sailors to volunteer as part of the sailing crew. Please contact me for more information.
I'll try to give news on the project as we go.

Well done, sublime boat - it must be preserved. Re John Stanley - delete if thread drift - as sprockets we joined Double Bay Sailing Club from Waverley in the late 60s early 70s to sail the club MJ and then our own 2nd hand old Cherub and watched the 18s in awe after our Sunday morning sailing - went out in the Cherub after the morning race to watch the 18s - saw Dave Porter win his first state title in a mongrel norwester finishing just to the north of Clark Island lee bowing Willie B of Stan Zemanek after tacking from port to stbd under him. John Stanley was arguably the best fwd hand of that time along with Hugh Cooke (rip) , Bob Ferris, Ian Souter, Damian Gould and then Don Buckley took over...then Sam Newton in the last 10-15 years the best of them all. The halcyon days. Can't win anything without a good fwd hand.

Good one MB. That should keep you busy.
Here is a little more on Kathleen Gillett.
Not that informative or very well written though.
www.sea.museum/whats-on/our-fleet/kathleen-gillett

Gary

I'm going to be in Sydney this weekend to see my daughter off on her first deployment aboard HMAS Brisbane, I think I will come and have a look

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cammd said..
I'm going to be in Sydney this weekend to see my daughter off on her first deployment aboard HMAS Brisbane, I think I will come and have a look

Where is BRISBANE off to?
I would come down and join you at the Museum but I have other commitments until later in the afternoon.

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MorningBird said..

cammd said..
I'm going to be in Sydney this weekend to see my daughter off on her first deployment aboard HMAS Brisbane, I think I will come and have a look

Where is BRISBANE off to?
I would come down and join you at the Museum but I have other commitments until later in the afternoon.

Not sure where they are going.