The historic sailing vessel Vega, built 1892 is still sailing the seven seas:
https://www.sailvega.com/
What a hoot! I’d love to spend a few months working on an old beauty like that.
You could volunteer for a few months of service in whatever capacity is needed
They need a lot of people during the annual trip to remote parts of Indonesia. (Not only seafarers)
PS> Old vessels also needs lot of maintenance between trips. I’m sure they need capable hands for that too:
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You don’t have to go that far.
She is still active in Indonesia. Presently getting a major workover at a yard near Tg.Priok:
More on the Historic Vessel Vega:
Refurbishment of Historic Vessel Vega is nearing completion.
Master caulker at work:
This man is considered the best caulker around, but when we tried to get him for our team were told he had retired and was enjoying the country life. So, we settled for his son, who has done an admirable job. Imagine our surprise when the old man himself turned up several days ago with his tool chest in hand to take on the most difficult seams remaining. He always dresses this way and at the end of the day there is not the slightest stain to be seen.
Money is running low, but more planking is needed to complete the job:
Pak Juki off to purchase more planking timber. Once the hull is closed up we will still have several deck planks needing attention.
Not only planks is needed to complete the job:
Several heavy washers made at the local machine shop will replaced the old ones. Since we cannot get heavy hot dip galvanizing we had to settle for thick coatings of ZINC IT. Sealed in tar.
She’ll soon be water tight again and ready for the paint job:
Hopefully we will be starting the paint schedule this week
Work is progressing nicely on Vega’s refit, even if we are running over our cost and time estimate. The good news is they let me out of the hospital yesterday morning. The doc says to expect another week of recovery. At least I’ll be back in our own bed - cats and all - and not flat on my back watching the hospital bill soar out of sight. If that sounds frightening, it is. We were already struggling to finish the hull work when I was hit with a double dose of dengue fever and pneumonia that effectively wiped out what little we had in reserve. We hate to ask again, but if you can, we will really appreciate any help, no matter how small. Link in the first comment.
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Any contribution to help complete the job and keep her doing her charitable work around the remote islands in Indonesia is welcome:
Well. Hats off for another great invention. It sure beats hauling that chain by hand. I figure if it looks silly, but works great, it isn’t silly.
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The history of Vega, from her origin in Hardanger, Norway in 1892, her “re-birth” as a Swedish vessel after the separation of the Union between Sweden and Norway in 1905, her reincarnations since found as a wreck in Stockholm in 1982 until she ended up in Indonesia, where she is receiving yet another major refit at the moment:
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Finding her cabin a bit stuffy in the tropics this young lady in our crew moved to the bow sprite net. This image is around 5 years old but I find it captures something special about life on Vega during our deliveries
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The Vega is sailing again:
At Last ! Vega is sailing again. After years of struggling with ageing equipment and the need for a refit, last year we took a deep breath and dived off into a complete refit that included totally rebuilding the drive train and VP propeller system, replanking the entire starboard side, sistering quite a few ribs, and a multitude of other jobs that needed doing. Mind you, the lightning strike that destroyed our electronics didn’t help. It took longer than we expected, for sure, but was well worth the effort and expense. On the 20th of April his year, my birthday, we sailed from Jakarta to Batam, then Malaysia before returning to Batam. A voyage of 5 days during which Vega performed flawlessly. What a pleasure, to be back at sea again without a constant stream of problems to worry with. We couldn’t have done it without the generous support from our friends. To all of you who helped make it possible a huge, huge thanks from Meggi and me. Next up, a return to our deliveries of educational and medical supplies to the small remote islands we assist. Once again, thank you for making it possible.
Our friend Jopie hauling up the interjib We had mostly calms that spoiled the sailing fun. But we did try when the breeze came up a bit.
Our dauntless skipper back at sea again. Believe me, it was a wonderful feeling to sink the land after so long ashore.
The usual suspects line up for a group photo. We were extremely lucky with crew on that voyage.
Meggi and Shane snugging up the interjib sheet.
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Vega is back under full sails:
Historic Vessel Vega
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132-yar-old Norwegian built Historic Vessel Vega