Fair Weather finally coming home

By Lindsey Turnbull

The S.V. Fair Weather, the last remaining sailing schooner built by Caymanians, is soon heading back to Cayman, having undergone an epic journey over its lifetime that saw her sail from Jamaica where she was built, to Cayman, to California and then on to sail around the world. She then set sail for Majorca, the wider Mediterranean, and finally ended up in Gloucester, England, where she currently remains, having undergone extensive restoration.

Founded by Paul Deegan and Chris Rowland, residents who have spent more than 30 years in Cayman, the Fair Weather Foundation has sought to bring this iconic vessel back to Cayman’s shores and that aim is now being fulfilled as she is set leave England on 28th October, arriving in Jamaica on 16th November with a final trip over to Cayman set for soon afterwards.

“She should arrive in Cayman by the end of November,” Mr Deegan confirmed.

The schooner will be transported on a trailer and eventually be sent on to Cayman as deck cargo. Once she arrives in Cayman she will remain at Jackie’s Bay at the former Miller boatyard location and historic site in North Side, where the final restoration will be completed.

Mr Deegan said that structurally, she was 100% complete, however overall, she was about 70% complete. The final work will include building the teak deck, building masts, rigging the taff rails, and renovating internally.

Tradition runs through the heart of the restoration project.

“We have sourced Cayman Mahogany and Ironwood for this purpose, and we have kept some of the lumber which we took off the schooner when we were first restoring her,” Mr Deegan advised. “In addition, I have the table from the Cayman-made S.S Goldfield as well as some blocks of wood from the Goldfield which we will use to create belaying pins.”

The Foundation intends to create a youth training scheme to help complete the vessel so that she may once again fully set sail.

“Training for the apprentices on the scheme will be varied. They will learn skills such as woodwork and carpentry, metal fabrication, welding, electronics, electrics and plumbing, a plethora of skills,” Mr Deegan said.

Upon completion, the Fair Weather will be moored off the George Town harbour and will also have moorings around the island, in North Side, South Sound and West Bay, the founders having purchased the moorings from the now closed Atlantis submarine company.

It is anticipated that the Fair Weather will play an integral part in the 50th anniversary of Pirates Week, which is set to be a spectacular event in 2027.

Donate today

Anyone looking to donate to this worthy cause can contact Mr Deegan or Mr Rowland at info@fairweather.ky . The Fair Weather Foundation is 501C3 approved, meaning US businesses or individuals can donate and write the donation off against their tax liability in the US.

If you want to be part of this piece of living history, you can buy a plank for CI$1,000 that will form part of the Fair Weather. You can inscribe your name on the plank and forever be remembered as helping to bring this piece of Caymanian history to life.  

This current move is being assisted by Jay Ebanks, Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing, and Infrastructure and Isaac Rankine, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, and Minister for Social Development and Innovation, and their Ministries, as well as all sponsors who have contributed funds up to this point.