Lucy Lavers is Back to Dunkirk

21/05/2015

 Around 07.00am this morning - a gloriously sunny one, with a light wind - Lucy Lavers is being readied for the day ahead. 

Photographs by Wendy Pritchard

She's one of over 60 other 'Dunkirk Little Ships' who will all be crossing the Channel to Dunkirk in a flotilla together.  

Photographs by Wendy Pritchard

Many of the boats are decked out in full regalia for a ceremonial fly-past, by Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, before embarking. 

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Lucy Lavers crew is getting kitted out...

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Ben Riches, Trevor Holsey and skipper Ben Middleton (left to right) are ready to go.

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

8.25am finds Lucy Lavers and crew milling around with the other boats just outside Ramsgate, getting into position in the flotilla. 

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

As they set off, the planes fly low overhead (just out of sight overhead...).  Watch this footage of the Little Ships departure, and spot Lucy Lavers at 36 seconds in.

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Danny Harvey, looking chuffed taking his turn to helm on this Leg. 

Just after 10.00am they are passing East Goodwin Buoy.

   Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Today's skipper is Ben 'Fuzz' Middleton (above centre).

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Crew members Trevor Holsey (left) and Brian Riches put the world to rights.

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Now it's Jonathan Hazell's turn at the helm - his father was at Dunkirk in 1940. 

By noon Lucy Lavers is just passed Sandettie Lightship Buoy. 

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

A film-maker from the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships comes on board.  He's documenting the whole event for posterity.

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

A view of the flotilla behind Lucy Lavers...

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard 

...and on her Port side, at around 1.50pm. 

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Ben Riches is taking the helm now.  Ben did much of the restoration work on Lucy Lavers, at the Hewitts' boatyard.

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Lucy Lavers and the wide flotilla are crossing a busy shipping lane, full of huge container vessels.

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

The weather is still gorgeously sunny but the wind has got up so Lucy Lavers is rolling a bit, as you can see from the swell above.  Dunkirk is clearly visible now.

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Just before 16:00pm, Lucy Lavers is entering Dunkirk harbour. 

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Dunkirk harbour looks very industrial.  How different it must have been 75 years ago. 

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Photograph by Wendy Pritchard

Now - 16:10pm - Lucy Lavers is moored in a lock with other 'Dunkirk Little Ships', waiting to enter Bain harbour.

Keep posted on Lucy Lavers progress with live updates on our Twitter profile - https://twitter.com/RescueWoodBoats -

and Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/rescuewoodenboats/ -

and check our map to see where she is on her journey - follow Lucy Lavers' journey back to Dunkirk