The idea of creating Pembrokeshire's own 'Mini Tall Ship' stems from 1999 when the Pembrokeshire College Marine Technology Centre (MITEC) was about to open, and the search was on for a flagship project for the traditional boat-building element of the maritime studies courses.

A replica 18th Century warships' longboat, or gig, of the type adopted by the International Atlantic Challenge movement for seamanship training for young people, was selected as the ideal craft, both for shipwright training within the College and once commissioned, for subsequent use by the community. (See Who We Are page)

An Association was formed to raise the necessary funds and to provide community support for the construction work. Many people and organisations gave generously in donations, membership dues, time, and support, enabling us to overcome the host of financial difficulties and training constraints that ensued.

While our Gig was under construction, the Trustees of the UK Atlantic Challenge kindly lent Pembrokeshire the British Gig, Integrite, with which to gain experience.

The Gig was completed just in time to take part in the biennial Atlantic Challenge International Contest of Seamanship at Fishguard in July 2004 the first time this event has been held in the United Kingdom.     
                         
She was christened on the first day of the contest by Mrs Jane Kerr to bear the name of her late husband who brought the Atlantic Challenge concept to Britain. Immediately after christening and launch ceremony (conducted in Welsh, English & Russian) the Cwch John Kerr was handed over to the Russian crew for the Contest as they had been unable to transport their own Gig from St Petersburg. The Russians were extremely impressed with our new boat, they looked after her immaculately and performed well, achieving 4th place out of 12 competing nations.