Raising Schooner Zodiac's New Masts
Update Feb 6, 2011: New Masts have arrived in Fairhaven.
The 114ft main mast and 93ft foremast were delivered on Thursday Feb 3rd. Navigating these huge spars around Fairhaven's narrow streets was not without 'incident' but all went well in the end and the spars are now being varnished in our workshop! See our Facebook album page for some photos and video of the arrival.
UPDATE January 17, 2011
Zodiac's NEW MAST is now well underway. Crew member Rory MacLysaght recently visited the Spar Shop at Grays Harbor Historical Seaport to see the mast being turned on the largest lathe in the US.
Check out our Facebook page for some pictures and video of the lathe in action: 
New Mast being turned at Grays Harbor Spar Shop
UPDATE December 26, 2010: A suitable tree for a new main mast has been obtained and is now in the Spar Shop at Grays Harbor Historical Seaport. The mast will be 117 feet long and 18 inches in diameter, made from select, second-growth Douglas fir.
We will bring you more details and pictures of the mast in progress soon.
Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/12/06/1757590/zodiac-schooners-new-mast-in-the.html
This is a brief summary of the dis-masting for our volunteers and Zodiac's friends. Latest updates are always on our Facebook page.
At 1:28 PM on September 25th, while under full sail in moderate winds, the main mast shattered approximately 15 feet from the deck. Fortunately all crew and passengers were on the windward side of the ship. (Starboard). The boom came down on the port side missing the salon roof, helm and the pelorus. The mast went in the water and remained attached by the shroud cables and the sail.
No serious injuries occurred (amazingly). One of our crew hit his head and broke a toe, one passenger bruised her arm. The coast Guard took them in their rigid inflatable to be assessed in Bellingham for safety sake. Both were released soon after - and our crewman was back at the dock to watch us return.
By an amazing stroke of luck, the motor vessel Kwaietek, a1923 ex- BC Forestry vessel was en route down from Canada to it's new home in Bellingham. Zodiac crew members Rory MacLysaght, Barney Higgins and Jeffery Carson were on board and arrived about 90 minutes after the incident. The Coast Guard and Border agents allowed the Kwaietek to transport the passengers back to dock.
This morning, (9/26), crew begin the clean-up and recovery of hardware and rigging. The main sail is torn, but conceivably save-able. The tenders are in good shape and the foresail mast is stable.
The ship anchored off of the Fairhaven Cruise Terminal dock overnight, but returned to dock under her own power at 2pm on Sunday, Sept 26.
A weld in the top mast rigging is currently under scrutiny, but no conclusions have been drawn as of yet.
To find the dates, information and photographs, go to the Schooner Zodiac's Facebook page. We will post updates and new shots as often as we can.
The irony of how we were nearing the end of our most successful season to date is very poignant. However,we remain optimistic and are already planning improvements for the new rig.
LASTLY, WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ZODIAC BY REGISTERING FOR TRIPS IN THE 2011 SEASON. THIS WILL BE A COSTLY PROJECT THAT WILL DRASTICALLY IMPACT OUR VESSEL. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP HER SAILING IS TO KEEP HER SAILING. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Many, many thanks to all our volunteers, friends, and loyal followers.
Chris Wallace
First Mate, Schooner Zodiac
UPDATE Tuesday 9/28/10 10:45am: We are awaiting the arrival of USCG inspectors, so for now the mast remains in the water. There has been much speculation by many "expers" who were not here and have only read third-hand press reports, but until the topmast and rigging is retrieved and examined, no one can say what the cause may have been. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact us directly for the pertinent facts, and if you wish to help please consider making a donation to our Raise The Mast fund.
UPDATE Monday 9/27/10 09:45am: Crew are aboard getting ready to have the remains of the mast removed by crane at Fairhaven Shipyard. Once all the parts have been downrigged and removed to our workshop, we'll be able to make a more accurate assessment of what the cause might have been.
Only a couple of days later we're already planning and working to get a new mast installed. Obviously this is going to be a long and expensive project to get her sailing again in time for the 2011 season. Many, many people have asked us how they can help. The best (and most fun) way to help is to Book Early For 2011! Be one of the first to sail with our NEW MAST!
SilverType, Inc.