A momentous day!!!

Our dream was realised on Monday, 21st September 2020 when the RMA Gig Club brought their new wooden gig boat ‘Cockleshell’ back to their new base, the Mountbatten Centre.

The day started at 07.30 when David Brain (Club Chairman), Ian Maguire (Club Bosun) and Rob Guy (Fundraising Officer) left Plymouth and headed off to Helford River Gig Club in Gweek, Cornwall under blue skies and beautiful sunshine.

Arriving at their destination before the prescribed arrival time (having narrowly avoided being caught up in a long delay caused by a car on its roof), the trio were greeted by Steve Bagshaw (Helford River Gig Club Chairman) and Phil Badger (Training Officer) and, of course, ‘Cockleshell’ basking in the sun on her trailer (please see the photos in our gallery!)

After David presented a cheque to Steve for the balance of the purchase price, he went on to present a RMA plaque to Phil in recognition of the support and understanding that Helford River Gig Club have provided in the whole of the acquisition process - they went well above and beyond. Helford River Gig Club will always be held in the highest regard within our Club.

The journey back to Plymouth was actually, in itself, uneventful but the three people in the car were still pumped with adrenaline. Arriving at the Mountbatten Centre, our intrepid trio were welcomed by members, family and supporters including Phil Gilby MBE (Operations Manager West of the RMA - The Royal Marines Charity), Mick Shannon (RMA Plymouth Branch Chairman) and Alex King (The Mountbatten Centre Manager)

The celebrations began and many members got to actually feast their eyes on ‘Cockleshell’ for the first time and they were not disappointed. She was built in 1999 by the Currah Brothers in Looe and she has a prestigious provenance when she was named ‘Merthen’.

After a photo shoot (again, check out our Gallery page), the members could wait no longer and it was time to get her in the water and, for virtually everyone there, to have the opportunity to row in a wooden gig boat for the very first time.

Launching off the slip at The Mountbatten Centre was relatively slick and, all of a sudden, we were underway! Without exception, everyone commented on how the rowing experience differed to that which they had experienced before in our GRP gig ‘Trafalgar’- for the better!

One comical moment that will stick in everyone’s mind was the fact that ‘Cockleshell’ had been out of the water for over 6 months so there were several leaks springing up in the boat (something that both Steve & Phil warned us about). This was made more memorable as we had to bail her out without bailers but, having many ex-Royal Marines amongst our ranks, improvised with our hands, caps and even takeaway coffee cups (which, unfortunately, quickly disintegrated!)

However, nothing was going to put any dampeners on our day which was, quite simply, momentous!!!