Thanks to the British Government, Tristan da Cunha has an Arctic 24 Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). She was built by the UK firm, VT Halmatic and arrived on Tristan on the 6th of May 2003.
The RIB entered service at Tristan da Cunha on Monday, 12 May 2003, when she was launched and officially named ATLANTIC DAWN by Derek Rogers, the Catholic Lay Minister. Mr. Rogers said prayers and blessed the boat by sprinkling Holy-water over the bow. ATLANTIC DAWN is crewed by Inspector Glass, Senior Coxswain, Neil Swain, Executive Coxswain, Mark Swain and Duncan Lavarello, Relief Coxswains. She was tested by the crew of four the same day, when they sailed around Tristan for the maiden voyage.
Weather for the voyage was variable, being calm on the lee of the Island but very rough on the south side of the Island, with a wind speed of about 25 knots, sea state at approximately Force 3 and with a confused swell four to five metres high. ATLANTIC DAWN circumnavigated Tristan in one hour and ten minutes. The boat performed well, being more steady and stable in the water than the previous RIB.
Tristan da Cunha 2007 30p sg872, scott?
Sources: various internet sites including:
http://www.tristandc.com/newsshipping0506.php
http://erikclaire.wordpress.com/2007/02 ... ig-update/
http://www.tristantimes.com/art_661_33_19_1.html
http://www.tristantimes.com/art.php?cat=32
Peter Crichton
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