The goal is to launch the Stephen Taber and haul the Riggin, all on the same tide. Even shallow draft vessels like the Riggin and the Taber need to be hauled at high tide to allow enough water underneath them. As we arrived at the shipyard, Capt. Noah Barnes and crew were putting their last minute touches on the Taber.
As soon as she was splashed, the cradle was brought back out of the water and we blocked for the Riggin‘s hull configuration with a fury. Two teams, one on the port side one on starboard. The blocking is what supports the vessel as she rests in the cradle out of the water so it’s important to get it right. Meanwhile the tide is creeping ever closer and we still need to bring the Riggin across Rockland Harbor.
As our crew races to cast off the Riggin from her winter berth, windjammer captains stay behind for quality control and last minute measuring. And at last she is resting properly in the cradle and is hauled out for routine maintenance. This photo shows her in the cradle, but only half way out of the water.
copyright 2009 Maine Adventure Sails
