The Celtic Warrior, ex Lissom (sp?), has at last entered the water again. It has been a familiar sight alongside Portishead Marina for many years, and has had a sad recent history and looked like it was going to rot away. A young boatbuilder from Bristol took it on about 6 months ago and has spent the winter caulking and painting the entire hull.

I don't know much of its history, but enthusiasm and TLC seem to have worked wonders. It will stay in the hoist slings over the weekend while the hull timbers take up water, and the intention is to tow it to Bristol Harbour soon for completion.

Today was the day of the launch...

Having sat on this particular spot for a couple of years, surrounded by a building site, movement at last.
(It hardly creaked at all compared to the last time I picked it up - must be the caulking

)

To the deafening cheers of the crowd, the keel touches water for the first time

Photo credits to Damo's mum!