Gipsy Moth IV to receive spectacular send-off

by UKSA Media on 20 Jun 2006 This weekend the Gipsy Moth IV, the vessel used in the first true solo circumnavigation of the globe, will be ready to leave Auckland for the next leg of its second circumnavigation. The vessel is now fully repaired thanks to the help of many Auckland organisations that made repairs in a record three and a half weeks after the vessel ran aground on a reef in the South Pacific in April.

Spectators can view the festivities on the Waitemata Harbour from areas along the waterfront including the end of Princes Wharf and Parnell’s Fred Ambler (Gladstone Rd) lookout from 2:00pm, and Devonport and North Head from 3:00pm this Friday 23 June. Those on Princes Wharf will have front row seats to see a fantastic dancing tug display by two Ports of Auckland tugs, including fire fighting tug, the Tamaki, scheduled for 2.45pm.

The Auckland public are invited to celebrate the re-commissioning of the Gipsy Moth IV and view a spectacular event from local lookout points around the Waitemata Harbour. Spectators can view the festivities from areas along the waterfront including the end of Princes Wharf and Parnell’s Fred Ambler (Gladstone Rd) lookout from 2:00pm, and Devonport and North Head from 3:00pm this Friday 23 June.

Those on Princes Wharf will have front row seats to see a fantastic ‘dancing’ tug display by two Ports of Auckland tugs, including fire fighting tug, the Tamaki, scheduled for 2.45pm.

Then Gipsy Moth IV will sail under the Harbour Bridge and then rendezvous with two Ports of Auckland tugs, three naval yachts and a flotilla of other vessels. A fly over of vintage ‘Moth’ aircraft will also honour the vessel.

The Gipsy Moth IV was first sailed around the globe by Sir Francis Chichester in 1966-67. Now restored to her former glory the vessel was re-launched to embark on a second circumnavigation voyage in September 2005. It will take 22 months, incorporating 25 countries and 32 official stopovers, and covering 30,000 nautical miles along the trade winds route.

This time around the focus is not setting records, but to change the lives of those involved and provide a window to the world using the groundbreaking technology onboard. The crew is changed on each leg and includes three young adults aged 16-23 years from disadvantaged backgrounds or suffering from learning difficulties or from life threatening illnesses.

See www.gipsymoth.org for information on the incredible round-the-world journey. Donations can be made at any branch of the ASB Bank.