The schooner Maggie B, built by Covey Island Boatworks in 2006, returned May 10 to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia — her port of launch — to celebrate the completion of the circumnavigation for which she was built.
Soon after arrival, Captain/owner Frank Blair and his crew stepped off the 62-foot "fusion schooner," and made their way to a reception in their honour. Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney extended an official welcome and local schooner captain Tom Gallant presented him with a plaque commemorating the vessel's circumnavigation. John Steele represented Covey Island Boatworks in offering congratulations to captain and crew.
Maggie B, whose 38,400 NM voyage included passing Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn, circled the globe at a fast sailing pace, with frequent daily runs of more than 200 nautical miles.
In Antigua last month, designer Nigel Irens had been very impressed with Maggie B's condition after 36,800 miles (to that point). He credited modern boatbuilding materials and technology, the skill of her Covey Island builders, and sailmaker Sandy MacMillan and the North Sails team. "Obviously," concluded Irens, "none of this would have been possible without Frank and his crew's diligence in maintaining her in a thoroughly seamanlike way throughout the trip."
See additional details of Maggie B's homecoming and Nigel Irens' comments currently on the Covey Island web site.
The plaque presented to Capt. Blair referred to him as the third circumnavigator with a Covey Island boat.The first two sailed on schooner Tree of Life.
