TS CHATHAM's Crown sailing dinghies are back in tip top shape after being deemed unseaworthy and requiring serious maintenance earlier this year.

The boats are the main training vessels of the Sea Cadet Unit.

The Don being officially blessed by Reverend Marie Gilpin.

The Don being dragged ashore.

One of the Crowns, named The Don, has now been fully restored and refitted, and was blessed prior to its re-launch on Wednesday.

Reverend Marie Gilpin, TS CHATHAM's Chaplain conducted the ceremony.

This is the culmination of many months of hard work by the cadets and also a local boatbuilder who has given back to the youth of the community by providing a training programme and sponsorship as well.

TS CHATHAM has received considerable help from the following sponsors, Hutcheson Boat Builders, Altex Coatings and Tony Hill Signs.

In particular, Hutcheson's Managing Director, Don Mattson's overwhelming support of this restoration project has been invaluable, and to show their gratitude the Sea Cadet Unit has named the boat after him.

TS CHATHAM's Boats Officer, Ensign Lee Dawson gave up his Saturday mornings to supervise and says the cadets had been taught skills they may not otherwise have had access to and this had given them a sense of ownership and responsibility in looking after their valuable training resourse.

'The cadets' newly gained knowledge will be incorporated into the Unit's on-going maintenance progamme.

'Former Civilian Instructor, Jamie Willing and his family have also donated four sports action cameras to be mounted on the vessel which will aid sail training.”

The Sea Cadets, together with Hutcheson Boat Builders, will continue with the restoration programme of their second Crown in next year.

'The cadets can now look forward to an enjoyable summer of sailing.”