Luna Moon for Madagascar

Gallery Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Luna Moon, a top sail gaff rig schooner, captained by David Bird, his partner Wendy Bailey, three crew and four interns, will soon be departing the port of Mossel Bay after an extensive major refit in Mossel Bay.

On Friday, 28 July, Mossel Bay port captain, Vania Cloete, visited the Luna Moon after the restoration was completed. Bird took Captain Cloete and the Mossel Bay Advertiser for a tour of the Luna Moon.

PHOTO GALLERY: Luna Moon, a top sail gaff rig schooner

The schooner arrived with five crew on board from Madagascar on 28 November 2019. The intention was for a partial refit of the vessel. In mid-March 2020, the Luna Moon was placed on the slipway and work commenced on the hull.

A specialist marine surveyor with knowledge of riveted steel hulls from 1910 was flown in from overseas to inspect the hull and to undertake non-destructive testing (NDT) to gauge the thickness of the steel. Numerous steel plates were replaced, but before the work was completed Covid-19 arrived.

Prior to Covid, work had progressed well on the vessel, with many skilled artisans and numerous small businesses in Mossel Bay acquainted with the marine industry with experience working on local fishing vessels, involved.

"The support that the work on the vessel got from Mossel Bay townsfolk was truly amazing and it was because of this that it was decided to undertake a complete full refit on the vessel, extending its stay by another 18 months once Covid restrictions were lifted," says Bird. "Luna Moon was stripped of her interior, leaving only a bare inner hull."

According to Bird, 51 large skips were removed from the vessel before the rebuild process could take place. "Then, 36 months later we have successfully completed sea trials and received our safety certification," says Bird.

Soon Quay 5 will be empty when the next chapter of this amazing vessel's life starts in a few days with her journey back to the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. "It is with a heavy heart that we depart Mossel Bay, leaving behind some of the best coffee shops in the country and some of the kindest people. Thank you Mossel Bay, thank you Portnet, all the various contractors and suppliers and especially thank you Captain Cloete."

The Luna Moon was originally constructed in Holland by the famous Vige Werf Shipyard in 1920, using the riveted steel method that was common in that period. She was designed as a pilot schooner specifically to guide Dutch and French boats in the English Channel and had an interesting history up to its arrival in Mossel Bay.

For more information, contact david@lunamoon.org.