THE sailing season has kicked in at CatZero, and this year will be the busiest one in the charity’s history!
In preparation for the season, and in line with re-coding requirements, the 72-foot CatZero Challenge yacht has undergone a whole schedule of maintenance works, starting in mid-October 2024. Having stripped the boat of all internal equipment, such as life jackets, life rafts, and anchors and chains, the yacht was lifted out of the water, and with the help of many CatZero volunteers, the staff and crew, was transferred to the Hull Marina yard to undergo the work.
CatZero skipper and director of sailing, Danny Watson, said: “Hull scaffolding business Elevation Yorkshire Ltd, along with all the volunteers and the ever-supportive Kildale Marine, were pivotal in making this happen, giving time and hard work to the operation. With volunteers also kitted out in PPE donated by Arco, everyone was in the right gear for the job!
“Our new first mate, Johnny Mercer, did a fantastic job preparing the boat for removal, and has been instrumental in rallying our amazing volunteer team.”
Once taken out of the boat, the life rafts and jackets were sent off for their service and the sails safely stowed at CatZero HQ. Servicing work takes place annually to ensure that the top-of-the-line safety equipment is in peak condition, with everything functioning as it should.
Danny continued: “The coding of the yacht works on a five-year cycle, ensuring that we retain our certification of Category Zero – CatZero. This refers to the highest level of safety and structural standards for commercially operated sailing and motor vessels under the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency).
“It means our vessel is permitted to operate unrestricted worldwide – there are no limits!
“While in dry dock, the yacht underwent checks of the rudder, keel, a full internal inspection, and steel and paint works. The hull was scraped clean and repainted with antifoul paint, kindly donated by Akzo Nobel and carefully applied by Joe and Gary of Connexin. The pair volunteered for the day as part of a scheme across the Connexin workplace and did a fantastic job!”
By Christmas 2024, the boat was back in the water and ready for the recommissioning process, which included the return of life rafts and sails, galley equipment, and fuel and water. The internal painting of the yacht proved difficult due to the low temperatures at the start of the year. The process was made easier with the new, on-board Eberspacher heater, which was very generously donated by a long-standing volunteer and supporter of CatZero, Nigel Rose.
Danny finished: “A huge thank you to all that helped with this massive process. While we undertake a number of regular maintenance processes to keep the boat safe for participants on our programmes, this was a significant mid-term inspection, so we are very grateful to the CatZero staff, crew, volunteers, and our supporters for helping to keep everything in tip-top shape.
“A special thank you goes to Quintin Thompson, Nigel Rose, and Stephen Oliver, who volunteered extensive hours throughout the refit on the specialised engineering jobs.”
The vessel was inspected again on Wednesday, March 5, when it successfully passed its coding with Larsens Marine, on behalf of SCMS, and is now ready to embark on the busiest sailing year in CatZero’s history.
For more about our programmes, public sails and fundraising sails, visit www.catzero.org or telephone 01482 333303.