Hurricane-lashed catamaran back in business
The Rising Son II charter catamaran that was all but destroyed during Hurricane Fay has lived to see another day after months of intensive repair work.
The 60ft vessel came loose from its mooring during the storm last October and crashed into the rocks along Harbour Road, causing grave damage to the starboard side.
Owner and captain Steve Smith, who had owned the cat for less than a year when Fay settled on Bermuda, said the repairs cost in the region of $250,000, although the craft was insured.
He said at the time that he had no idea whether Rising Son II was “salvageable or a write-off” because the damage was so intense, but she took her first charter yesterday from Dockyard at 2pm.
Speaking to The Royal Gazette just before setting off, Mr Smith said: “It feels amazing.
“I can’t wait to do my first trip. It is like a huge weight off my shoulders.
“From Dockyard we will go sailing, go to a beach and do some snorkelling.
“I am excited for a new season with my new crew, Stephan Dill and Tristan Kermode.”
Mr Smith had to work all through the winter on repairs, with help from Peter Rego, of Rego’s Fiberglass & Gel Coat Services, and Stephen McKey, of MR Construction.
They had a 10ft hole in the starboard side to contend with as well as the keel, which was completely ripped off.
“I have worked on every single aspect, that is all I have done all winter,” Mr Smith said.
“Everyone else in my industry has had the winter off.
“We had to do a structural rebuild and put in brand new engines on both sides. It has a brand new electrical system to run the boat, a brand new massive sound system, new rigging for the sails and a new smile, I guess.”
Asked whether he had heard of any similar damage to Rising Son II in its 16-year history, Mr Smith said: “They lost their mast a few years ago and I think one time they hit the bottom, but she has never sunk before.
“It was my first year owning it and I had an amazing season — I was happy every day and then that happened.
“I was shocked. When I saw it on the rocks, it nearly killed me.”
