The New Zealand Maritime Museum has announced the return of the brigantine Breeze.
The New Zealand Maritime Museum has announced the return of the brigantine Breeze.
Public sailings onboard the iconic vessel will be available on fortnightly Saturdays from Labour Weekend, 22 October.
The so-called “little tall-ship” has undergone a significant overhaul since it last sailed publicly in 2016. Vincent Lipanovich, director of the Maritime Museum, says passengers can expect an “energetic and exciting experience” onboard.
“Sailing on Breeze presents such a unique experience for maritime enthusiasts and novice sailors alike – passengers will be invited to roll their sleeves up and experience the thrill of sailing a traditional vessel as they take in the sights of the Waitematā Harbour,” he says.
Lipanovich says the museum had planned to relaunch Breeze in January this year, but Covid lockdowns delayed final remediation work. He says the delays were disappointing for crew and potential passengers alike, and museum is thrilled to finally be in a position to offer public sailings from Labour Weekend.
“We still get emails and messages from people who sailed on Breeze years ago. It’s such a special boat and it feels wonderful to finally have this vessel available for people to experience and create new memories.”
Built by the late Ralph Sewell and his family, Breeze was launched in Coromandel, in October 1981. The Sewells had an agenda: to construct and sail a nineteenth-century coastal trader to be able to teach old-school skills.
According to the museum, to step aboard Breeze is to travel back in time. The ship’s 10 sails are still hoisted and trimmed by hand – no winches to be seen. The anchor is weighed with a hand-operated windlass.
Ralph also wanted to promote fraternity.
“[Breeze] will enable enthusiasts to further their association with the sea and benefit from the company of kindred spirits,” he wrote.
Breeze came into the museum’s fleet in 1989, four years after it had sailed from Tāmaki Makaurau to Mā‘ohi Nui (French Polynesia) to protest France’s nuclear testing programme.
In 1991, it took out the Russell Boating Club’s annual Tall Ships race. It’s a regular at the Mahurangi and Auckland Anniversary Day regattas, and in 2021 did a celebrity turn escorting the mullet fleet as the boats took part in the 100th Lipton Cup.
The 25 museum volunteers who take turns to crew Breeze are a knowing bunch, says Master Bob Hawkins.
“She doesn’t point straight into the wind like a yacht. You can’t push her – she won’t go fast into the wind. The ship’s idiosyncracies require collegiality.
“To keep Breeze going, everybody has to act together.”
Photography: New Zealand Maritime Museum