New old-style pumps in manufacture by Heritage Marine for our new Thames sailing barge Blue Mermaid.

These barges had one pump centrally forward and one each side aft to pump out the hold. Now they must be able to reach each compartment so they are being fitted with shared valve gear.

Thus one aft pump will reach hold and galley, while the other reaches hold and cabin. The forward pump will reach hold and forecastle.

You can also see the planking being fitted to her aft cabin top here, new sheaves and more recently foghorn.

Karl Delaine returned for another sailing residential with his regular Pathways group from Colchester Institute. He commented,

“I am the group leader. I have been working with young adults with barriers to learning for over fifteen years. Every time we come sailing with Sea-Change we have an amazing week.’

‘It really is hard to imagine a better environment and experience to facilitate confidence and social skills development.’

‘There is nothing that would have improved the trip.” He marked us ten out of ten and you can read his full report here.

Skipper and Executive Officer Richard Titchener’s Review of the Year.

Yesterday was a Big Day as we took delivery of Blue Mermaid’s sails from the James Lawrence Sailmakers executive horsebox.

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Blue Mermaid is nearly ready for sea trials.

In addition to everything else there is a mass of ancillary equipment that we need to find as listed here.

Can anyone help with some of it please?

During the summer we were joined by Theo and Annie from the SALTS sailing charity in British Columbia, Canada, on an ASTO exchange supported by the James Myatt Trust. To read our own posts about it start here.

We have now receive an excellent illustrated and substantial take on their time with us from Theo entitled Saltmarsh Adventure, which can be downloaded here. Thanks Theo.