AN EX-naval supply ship which was delivered to Conwy last year is due to return to the town tomorrow (September 28) following maintenance work ahead of a voyage to Madagascar.

“Island Reach” was purchased by Christian charity “Youth With a Mission” (YMAM) in December, and then sailed to Conwy from Greenock.

It is to be converted and sent to Madagascar to serve the medical needs of the nation.

READ MORE:

Former naval supply ship to return to Conwy prior to sailing to Madagascar

Conwy boat crew aim to convert vessel and deliver medical care to Madagascar

Steered by captain Jeremy McWilliam, the boat left its mooring at Acton Bridge, Cheshire yesterday afternoon.

It stayed overnight in a lock on the River Weaver last night, before departing for Conwy early this morning.

It will anchor off in a sheltered position outside the Fairway Buoy off Conwy until high water, and come into Conwy Quay on the high tide at about 1pm tomorrow.

The sailing date to Madagasgar, via the Suez Canal in Egypt, is now pencilled in for high water on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

The boat is a 24-metre ex-naval, two hold, stores tender.

With a draft of only 2.2 metres, a strong hull, and good engines, she is well-suited for going up rivers and small inlets to reach communities in need.

Volunteers and members of Coleg Llandrillo are repairing and updating essential mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment on board to make it fit to sail to Madagascar.

The ship was moved from Conwy to the River Weaver on April 25 so that substantial steelwork fabrication could be carried out.

This involved converting the holds and upper deck section to house the medical departments below the decks and additional cabin accommodation above deck.

“Island Reach” will return to the same location on Conwy Quay and stay there throughout the winter while volunteers and contributors fit out the interiors to make the medical areas and cabins operational, ready for the journey to Madagascar

YWAM Ships is the legal owner of Island Reach, but the principal of YWAM Maritime Academy is managing this project in Conwy.

Anyone in Conwy looking out for “Island Reach” will see quite a change, as the crane has been removed from the foredeck and extra cabin accommodations has been fabricated there.

Part of the work for existing volunteers and new ones to carry out in the coming months will include giving the boat a clean-up and a fresh coat of paint.

The four-cabin new deck accommodation steelwork is in place, while four new portholes and a water-tight door have been fitted.

New floorboards and bilge storage space have also been ordered, while fire and bilge alarms are all now repaired and working.

It is hoped that next stage of works on the boat will be complete by Christmas.

After that, the final stage can commence, which will include such tasks as fitting out dental and operating rooms, general sanding and painting, and beginning the promotion and advertising of the vessel and raising support for its voyage to Madagascar. 

Some of the work carried out on the boat has been shared on YouTube and can be found at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCS3u_1PDW19TeRKwU5lJnBg.