Three new pilot gigs that have been brought into Bermuda to highlight the Island’s heritage and promote the sport of gig racing have been officially christened in the East End.

The 32-foot fibreglass vessels are modelled on the traditional gigs that took Bermudian pilots out to incoming ships to help them negotiate their way through the dangerous reef system.

The gigs have been named after famous Bermudian pilots; Harry Fox, John Simmons and Jemmy Darrell, and painted in the official colours of St George, St David’s and Somerset.

The project to bring the gigs to the Island has been spearheaded by the St David’s Island Historical Society, and the group has high hopes that the sport of gig racing, which has spread across the globe from the south of England, will take off in Bermuda too.

“The potential is very exciting,” said the society’s president Rick Spurling.

“We are hoping to get everyone in the community involved in this new sport from young people to corporate teams.

“Gig racing has really taken off as a sport across the world in the last 10 years and the potential of having a regatta here and having a Bermuda team representing the country in international events is very exciting.

“This is about getting people involved in a sport and promoting healthy living, but also highlighting these vessels which played a very important role in our heritage and history.”

The gigs and the oars have all been manufactured in Cornwall in the south of England and were shipped to Bermuda. Each gig cost $25,000 to land in Bermuda.

The project has been funded by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Bermuda Diabetes Society and a second charity.

The three gigs will be kept at the East End Mini Yacht Club and plans are afoot for the vessels to take part in a demonstration in Hamilton Harbour during the World Series in October.

Mr Spurling added: “Teams tend to be made up of six crew and a coxswain, so there is scope for all kinds of competitions, even a Cup Match race between St George’s and Somerset.

“We have some experts from the UK over here at the moment to help with the training and we will be working on making sure the gigs are fully equipped with the necessary safety equipment before the open ocean races take place.

“Ultimately we hope that we can bring in another three gigs and perhaps place them at the other end of the Island.

“This is a project everyone in the community can get behind and it has the potential to boost visitor numbers as well.”

If you would like to find out more about gig racing visit the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club’s Facebook page or e-mail Mr Spurling at rspurling@logic.bm or Debbie Jones at jonesfamily@northrock.bm