Monday, July 13. 2009
Windjammer Flying Cloud not to be sunk in the BVI
Windjammer Flying Cloud
I was blogging and doing quite a bit of work on the "Sink the Flying Cloud" project in the BVI last summer, which the BVI SCUBA Organization had taken on as a project. It is really long past due for an update, and the only excuse I have, is that I have been too busy doing charters!
I am sorry that this has taken so long to get out, however, things tend to work on Caribbean time here and the British Virgin Islands SCUBA Organization waited quite a few months for a second opinion on whether the Flying Cloud could be lifted or not, so we could bring her back to the British Virgin Islands to sink.
Unfortunately, it does not look like it is going to happen.
The Flying Cloud is lying in very dirty low visibility water at an industrial work yard. We had one opinion that it would cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars to lift it, never mind put it in a towable state. We waited many months to get a second opinion, and that came through the same way. The Flying Cloud might have more value to the shipyard as salvage, however, we don't believe there is anyone in the Caribbean who has the tools to do an underwater salvage on it.
I have attached some pictures here which will tell more in pictures then I could possible say in words, and bear in mind these were taken last summer, so the condition is even worse at the moment.
On the good news side, The British Virgin Islands has confirmed their dates for Wreck Week 2010 which will be June 12th-19th, 2010 in conjunction with the BVI Tourist Board and the BVI SCUBA Organization, and we have many good wrecks to dive, including the world famous wreck of the RMS Rhone.
If anyone has any scathingly brilliant ideas we would be happy to listen to them!
I was blogging and doing quite a bit of work on the "Sink the Flying Cloud" project in the BVI last summer, which the BVI SCUBA Organization had taken on as a project. It is really long past due for an update, and the only excuse I have, is that I have been too busy doing charters!
I am sorry that this has taken so long to get out, however, things tend to work on Caribbean time here and the British Virgin Islands SCUBA Organization waited quite a few months for a second opinion on whether the Flying Cloud could be lifted or not, so we could bring her back to the British Virgin Islands to sink.
Unfortunately, it does not look like it is going to happen.
The Flying Cloud is lying in very dirty low visibility water at an industrial work yard. We had one opinion that it would cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars to lift it, never mind put it in a towable state. We waited many months to get a second opinion, and that came through the same way. The Flying Cloud might have more value to the shipyard as salvage, however, we don't believe there is anyone in the Caribbean who has the tools to do an underwater salvage on it.
I have attached some pictures here which will tell more in pictures then I could possible say in words, and bear in mind these were taken last summer, so the condition is even worse at the moment.
On the good news side, The British Virgin Islands has confirmed their dates for Wreck Week 2010 which will be June 12th-19th, 2010 in conjunction with the BVI Tourist Board and the BVI SCUBA Organization, and we have many good wrecks to dive, including the world famous wreck of the RMS Rhone.
If anyone has any scathingly brilliant ideas we would be happy to listen to them!
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I was Adrian's Chief Mate 13 years ago. I really miss that ship it was some of the best time of my career. Do you know if they are sell any parts as salvage?
Funny you mention this today as the owner of the yard has approached us about it.
It can really only be imagined that he just want someone to take over his problem as after a year since those pictures were taken, there cannot be much therre.
It can really only be imagined that he just want someone to take over his problem as after a year since those pictures were taken, there cannot be much therre.
I am greatly disturbed by those photos of The Flying Cloud and can't tell if I am going to throw up or cry or both!!!!!!!
Also sailed on the Cloud in the late 70's and had a wonderful time. Went back the next year on a charter out of Road Town and still looked up old friends on board!
I have wonderful memories and pictures of a beautiful ship under full sail - I sailed on her in the 70's....what a sad end for a lovely vessel....
Hi. I am an ex skipper of the cloud 1986 or there abouts. Such a sad sight to see her like this. My friend Kevin Rowlette did tell me she was looking not too well. Kev probably took these pictures. All I can say is it is a shame CB ( captain Burke) was not 40 years younger. He would have snapped this jem up in a flash and had her cruising the caribbean in no time. I know him personally and love his veiws on life. If you can dream it you can do it, and you had better not tell him otherwise. Cheers
Our first of two Windjammer sails was on the Flying Cloud. We were saddend to hear that she was no longer part of the fleet.
We have only the fondest of memories of our trip on this once beautiful ship. The pictures here brought tears to our eyes.
We have only the fondest of memories of our trip on this once beautiful ship. The pictures here brought tears to our eyes.
This is like seeing a friend exhumed. She was the only WJ ship we didn't sail on but was aboard a couple times in a WJ flotilla. Lots of things in the world coincided with the demise of WJ oddly enough. I wonder if a resurrection of them would bring about a change for the better on the planet. Maybe every country should have at least one.
SailDiveBVI- Kerry's personal blog
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