Historic Vessels To Race In Swansea Bay

Swansea will be transported back to the early 20th century this weekend when historic pilot cutters from yesteryear race one-another in the bay. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Olga, owned by Swansea Council, will be among the historic Bristol Channel pilot cutters taking to the water for the regatta. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Bought by the council for Swansea Museum’s maritime collection in 1984, the 56-foot Olga was built in 1909. It worked from the ports of South Wales, taking pilots out into the Bristol Channel to intercept sailing barques and then guide them back to their home ports. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In recent years, the Olga has been refurbished both above and below deck, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The regatta is being held thanks to a partnership between Swansea Museum, the Bristol Channel Yacht Club in Mumbles and the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters Owners Association. The event is being sponsored by Network Yacht Brokers of Swansea Marina. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The racing vessels will leave their moorings at Swansea Marina from about 8am on both Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8 before the morning races off Mumbles start at about 9.30am. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Other pilot cutters taking part include Alpha, Dolphin, Mascotte and Peggy – all built between 1904 and 1909. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

People also have the chance to see all five pilot cutters at the museum pontoons in Swansea Marina on Friday May 6 from 10am to 4pm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Frances Jenkins, Swansea Council’s Strategic Manager for Tourism, Marketing, Culture and Events, said: “Swansea has a rich maritime heritage dating back to the industrial revolution and beyond, so this weekend’s races are a great opportunity to be transported back to yesteryear. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“People won’t just have a chance to get a close look at these historic vessels this weekend – they’ll also have the rare opportunity to watch them race in the waters off the Swansea foreshore. Pilot cutters of this kind were built for speed, so the races should make for a fantastic spectacle. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This event is one of many making up our hugely varied Enjoy Swansea programme of events and activities this summer that’s got something for all ages and interests.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​