The Fleet Observer Season 2007
The boat has just completed its fifth season since being acquired by the reserve, and its third under the management of Roger Quigley. The season was the longest ever achieved with the boat being in the water from Easter and not taken out until the completion of the October half term. If it weren’t for the miserable August weather the record for the highest number of passengers for the season would have been well and truly broken. Nevertheless the season was good and the skippers did very well in running as many trips as they did. The boat proved a great success in Portland Marine Week.
This winter the boat is due for an extensive refit and a professional survey has already been undertaken to detail the work that has to be done. Operating on a ‘not-for-profit basis’ the boat generates sufficient income to cover its operating expenses but not enough to provide for long-term maintenance costs. In the New Year it is intended to launch a fund raising campaign to cover the refit costs and provide further improvements. The campaign needs to be successful to ensure that this unique little boat can carry out its 14th year of hard work in 2008, and continue. Should anyone wish to help with the promotion of the fund raising or in any other aspect of the boat’s operation, please contact us.