Royal Gazette – September 5th 2002

Bermuda Sloop could race South Carolina boat

Builder: Director of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute Ralph Richardson has seen membership rise above 3,000 during his tenure.

By Tania Theriault

Maritime links between Bermuda and South Carolina are set to be strengthened as joint tall ship building projects are launched alongside a revitalised Charleston to Bermuda yacht race, The Royal Gazette was told.

Alan Burland of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation said yesterday Charleston has begun building a tall ship very similar to the 88-foot sloop the foundation hopes to have ready for 2004.

Both the Spirit of South Carolina and Bermuda's own sloop are intended to be used as training vessels for young people to build teamwork, academic and trade skills.

And last week, the City of Charleston announced at a press conference that the Charleston to Bermuda sail race was adding a training class to the competition in the hopes that the two tall ships will one day race against each other.

Mr. Burland travelled to Charleston for the press conference along with Ralph Richardson of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and representative from the yacht club.

Charleston's tall ship is being undertaken by the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation.

"It's going to be very similar in size to the one we hope to start later this year," Mr. Burland said.

The $4 million dollar Sail Training Vessel Bermudian is to be built to American Bureau of Shipping Standards and will operate under UK marine regulations.

It will be a replica of sailing vessels common in the 1830s with some added electronic features.

The Spirit of South Carolina's design, alternatively, is based on a 1870s pilot schooner – the Frances Elizabeth – which was built in a Charleston shipyard.

"They want to develop a close association going forward," Mr. Burland said. "We're going to stay closely connected and there is a lot of synergy between our projects."

Meanwhile, the Charleston to Bermuda race – which has been struggling in recent years – is set for revitalisation under new management.

The race, which is held every two years, only had six finishers in 2001 but last week in Charleston, organisers said 20 entrants are already lined up for 2003.

"They hope to have as many as 36 boats competing," Mr. Richardson told The Royal Gazette.

And, by 2005, the hope is to have the Spirit of South Carolina and the Bermuda Sloop competing head-to-head in the event.

Both foundations would like the relationship between the two tall ships to extend beyond competition, however, through exchange programmes and the celebration of a common maritime heritage.