Piraeus Returns Home to Victoria Harbour

The traditional 44-foot sailing ketch, Piraeus , is returning to its home port of Victoria in late April in time to prepare tor the exciting Tall Ship Event in June. She will spend spring and summer chartering out of Victoria's Inner Harbour. "We'll be providing quite affordable three-hour sailing tours into Juan de Fuca Strait tor wildlife viewing and generally a wonderful experience for all ages," says her owner and captain, Bill Woodworth.

Piraeus was designed by famed Victoria designer Frank Fredette and built in 1957 by local resident Frank Wright. The boat was built of local woods and launched on the Upper Harbour. She has spent her life as a pleasure boat plying the BC coast in all types of weather.

In 2002 Bill Woodworth purchased Piraeus from Victoria's Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) and employed their shipyard to perform a complete restoration. The vessel was almost totally rebuilt over the next two and a half years, including all new machinery, electrics and electronics. Again, the work was carried out on the shores of Victoria Harbour, into which she was re-launched. Local woods were used but much of the trim was done in an exotic Central American hardwood similar to teak. All work was done to the yard's highest standards and to meet Transport Canada's stringent regulations; she is now registered as a passenger-carrying vessel. Captain Woodworth is fully Transport Canada certified and has more than 30 years experience on the BC coast.