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The historic scow Jane Gifford has recommenced summer sailings, but her schedule may have to be limited this year if organisers can’t find more volunteers.
Trustee Daniel Hicks says they are desperately short of people to help with the myriad of tasks involved in running the boat. This ranges from qualified skippers to people prepared to help with maintenance or act as hosts onboard.
“Whether people are skilled or not, we would welcome their involvement and help,” Hicks says. “We are more than happy to offer training and, in terms of time, they can contribute as little or as much as they like.
“The average cruise is only one or two hours long, so it’s not a huge imposition on a person’s day.”
The public cruises are running about every fortnight, with private charters being particularly popular this year.
If anyone is interested to know more, they should visit The Jane Gifford Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the trust is looking forward to having the new electric boat Hauiti, which is also based at the town wharf in Warkworth, operational in the new year. It will be available for eco-tours of the river. Hicks says the trust is looking for people with environmental knowledge to help out with the tours.
The trust will also install four Whitehall rowing boats, which will be available for public use, next to the steamboat Kapanui over summer. They have been specially built by volunteers and can be handled by a single rower or up to three people.
Hicks says he hopes to also have the Kapanui back in action soon. The engine has been given a major overhaul thanks to a Pub Charity grant, but there are still some jobs left to finish.
“Again, a lot of this will depend on securing some volunteer help,” he says.
Ticket Giveaway
Mahurangi Matters, in conjunction with the Jane Gifford Society, has four tickets (two double passes) to give away to join the public cruises onboard the Jane Gifford. If this sounds like something you would like to do, email editor@localmatters.co.nz with Jane Gifford in the subject line. Promotion closes at 9am on December 19.
