Boleh has started her important Winter Work Programme. Much of the work will be done by our volunteers with a significant element carried out at Victoria Quay. This recently developed marine services facility is on the historic site of the Royal Clarence Yard and just round the corner from Boleh’s Haslar berth. Shortly before Christmas Boleh used the mobile crane there to lift off her quadruped mast for refurbishment and the renewal of her standing rigging. Picture shows the off-loaded mast with the 4 volunteers who completed this ‘scary evolution’ and are truly the ‘mast-ers’ of Boleh.
Their experience and skill-set ensure this unique and complex vessel designed by Robin Kilroy in 1948 is, and remains, fit for purpose. They are shown left to right: Mark Minshull, Chartered Engineer and Project Manager, responsible overall for Boleh’s maintenance and material state; Graham Westbrook, Project Naval Architect and our guide since 2009 on Boleh’s restoration, partial re-design and MCA compliance; David Hadfield, Nuclear Submarine Engineer with particular expertise on Boleh’s hybrid electric propulsion system; and Nigel Craine, Offshore Yachtmaster with a career in the marine electronics required to operate Boleh effectively and safely.
