Tracy Edwards’ restored maxi yacht Maiden set off on her 54,000 mile round-the-world voyage promoting education for girls last week, but has put into Plymouth for repairs.

Maiden had seen her voyage delayed by several weeks as issues to do with coding the vessel and other matters were sorted out. She left the Hamble bound for Kerala in Southern India on November 7th and encountered some heavy weather going down Channel.

So after just 36 hours at sea the crew put into Plymouth to dry out and make repairs. These are described as being due to “unexpected problems”.

“Despite the fact that there have been a number delays to what has been a somewhat fraught refit, Maiden was ‘handed over’ to us as ‘sound and seaworthy’ on 1st October 2018,” Maiden’s site reports, “During October we then had to deal with some ‘coding’ issues in order to be certified.  This means that a number of safety features had to be addressed so that Maiden complies with Code 0 category in order to be able to take paying guests on the tour to raise funds for girls’ education.

“On 26th October 2018 after an extensive survey Maiden received her Code 0 certification which meant that she was sound, secure and safe.

Maiden leaving the Hamble and heading into storm clouds last week

“However, despite this, the team did discover a number unexpected problems.  In the face of dreadful weather, Maiden’s valiant and courageous crew led by Nikki Henderson sailed Maiden safely to Plymouth after 36 hours at sea.   A shore team are now working on repairs to correct the problems.

“The crew are devastated not to be on their way but the most important thing is the safety of Maiden and her crew.  The team’s overriding inspiration to keep going and get back to sea is remembering the work of our Partner Charities who battle every day to get girls into education.  Their passion keeps us going and reminds us that our job and that of Maiden, is to sail round the world raising funds and awareness for girls’ education.  Just like thirty years ago, we never ever give up and remember that ‘anything is possible’.”

At present Maiden’s AIS position shows her still in Plymouth.

Maiden’s fame was beamed across the world when, skippered Tracy Edwards, she carried the first all-female crew to ever sail around the world, and to cross the finish line of the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race. It was the best result for a British boat since 1977 and hasn’t been beaten since. Nearly three decades later Tracy Edwards discovered the 58ft (17m) maxi abandoned and rotting in the Seychelles and began fundraising to get her back to the UK for restoration in 2017.

The mission was not just to sail Maiden but to use her to fundraise, campaign and inspire girls’ education on a global scale. “Maiden is an icon of female empowerment, ability and the will to succeed against all the odds. We must ensure the basic right of every girl to attend school,”  says Tracy Edwards MBE

The first scheduled stop for the team when they get under way again will be Kerala, and they hope to visit  22 destinations in the next two years.

The yacht is sailing with a baton which contains messages of hope and encouragement written by pupils from the UK to girls around the world unable to access an education. These notes will be carried on Maiden in the baton to each stopover, then children’s messages will be added in each country and passed on to the next one – like a relay.

The project is being supported by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan in memory of her father, King Hussein I.

Main image shows Tracy Edwards sitting left, with Maiden’s crew, including Nikki Henderson, the 23 year old skipper, squatting far right

 

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