About Celtic Coasts Sail and Trade
Celtic Coasts Sail and Trade is a new Community Benefit Society which will connect people and produce by restoring and using traditional wooden vessels for 'cabotage' or coastal trading, transporting goods around the coasts of Wales and beyond. Celtic Coasts have spent four years researching and establishing connections between Brittany, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland such that they feel there is a definite place for small scale transport of essential goods, backed up and partly financed by the desire for experience and training in traditional boat handling.
Their aims are:
— To demonstrate the potential of wind trading as an alternative to fossil fuel dependency;
— To support traditional boatbuilding skills and to offer people the experience of sailing on a traditional wooden boat;
— To support local growers, makers and producers;
— To help revitalise coastal towns and harbours through sailing and trading;
— To provide training and development opportunities for people, young and old.
Celtic Coasts Sail and Trade has been set up as Community Benefit Society, a unique type of corporate business which is owned by and run for the benefit of the local community, rather than for private gain. Any surplus income generated from their activities will be used to support and develop the aims of the Society.
Mystery II
Celtic Coasts Sail and Trade are currently restoring the traditional Morecambe Bay Prawner, Mystery II, for use as a dedicated cargo vessel for sail trading. The choice of Mystery II was due to it being a fast shallow draft boat, thus maximising sailing and allowing for entry into the smaller Welsh harbours such as Cardigan, Aberaeron and Lower Town Fishguard.
Work has already begun at Waterfront Marine boatyard, Porth Penrhyn, and is scheduled to be completed in 2024. The restoration of this boat will demonstrate and highlight a range of issues from the need to manage our woodlands for a sustainable supply of boatbuilding timber to conserving traditional skills in the sawmilling and processing industry and boatbuilding.
As of November 2023, the Ballast Keel is on, which now completes the centre line of Mystery. She is bolted up from stem to stern. The Ballast is cast iron and weighs approximately 1 ½ tonne, the bolts are wrought iron, and 24 bolts were used, the longest being about 3' long.
Once restored, Mystery II will embark on a voyage programme, transporting goods to and from coastal towns, and enabling crews to experience sailing on a classic wooden boat. Mystery II will be fitted with six berths to accommodate two paid crew and four paying voyage crew. This mixed crew of experienced sailors and volunteers will work together to develop seafaring skills. The boat will be able to carry half a tonne of cargo.
An annual voyage to Brittany will revive the tradition of bringing pink onions from Roscoff to the markets and shops of Wales and, in turn, will take Welsh goods to Brittany. Mystery II will also take part in maritime events showcasing traditional wooden boats and sailing.
LATEST NEWS
November 2023: A crowdfunder has been launched to help pay for the restoration costs. Read more
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