On 14th May Cwch John Kerr had been put into to the water at Garron Pill and rowed and sailed to her mooring at Neyland.  Throughout the season, when not deployed on expeditions, she sailed regularly every weekend, weather permitting, with general crews comprising any member who wished to get afloat.   Group membership sorties were also arranged periodically in mid week by the College and the Prince’s Trust, and there was the occasional evening practice, including one row to Cresswell Quay.   Andy Watters organised escort boat training, and 3 members completed RYA Powerboat Level 2 and should progress to Safety Boat endorsement this year.

Expeditions    Gig activities by our members away from Pembrokeshire, with our boat, aboard other gigs, or on a representational basis, were:

4th June - Cork Sea to City.   Four members supported Intégrité’ in the Cork Sea to City Race.

30th June   Nelson Pageant, Pembroke    Although a local event, the Re-enactment of Nelson’s landing at Pembroke Dock which was staged off Front Street and the Martello Tower, within a mile of our Gig’s mooring, may be classed as an expedition, not least because of the resolute way in which our crew maintained their composure, elegance and impeccable ‘Admiral’s Gig’ rowing, despite torrential rain and the extreme absorbent qualities of their traditional uniform.   

2nd to 9th July    Tall Ships, Waterford    Cwch John Kerr, supported by 25 members, joined Intégrité and the 4 Irish gigs in support of the Start of the Tall Ships Race at Waterford.  Despite somewhat restricting river conditions and a swift tidal flow, we sailed (or rowed) every day, often in company with Intégrité (crewed in part by the Pembrokeshire College or West Wales Maritime Heritage Society members) culminating with a race between all 6 gigs over a course between the tall ships arraigned along both the north and south sides of the Waterford waterfront.

22nd July    Beating the Bounds of the Port of Haverfordwest    Cwch John Kerr provided the ceremonial transport for the Mayor of Haverfordwest in his capacity as Admiral or the Port of Haverfordwest for the Beating of the Bounds Ceremony.   The Mayor and Town Clerk were rowed to the Port boundary (White Rock) to exercise his jurisdiction and to receive a salute from the assembled flotilla.                                              
 See   Events of 2005 Part 2