The Maldive Lady
Launches a Boat
It was during the very early days of my involvement with the Maldive Islands that quite out of the blue, I was asked to go down to the English seaport town of Cowes to launch a small boat that had been built by Cheverton's Boat Yard at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Not long after this request I took the train, then ferry to Cowes. It was early November and a fantastic warm day.
David Cheverton met me and I was taken to their office. I had asked Male several times what name should I give her, but sadly got no response. So for the moment I decided to name her 'Magic'.
Magic was at the bottom of the slip way, but I noticed two other boats somewhat larger than Magic and pretty impressive in size out at sea.
David said both built by Cheverton, both Pilot boats, one for Kenya and the other for Brunei (along with Magic) would be doing their trials.
A number of press had arrived. It was now time for me to launch her, with David hanging on to me, I broke a bottle filled with Coconut oil saying loudly Bismillahi Rahmaani Rah'eem.
Not long after this request I took the train, then ferry to Cowes. It was early November and a fantastic warm day.
David Cheverton met me and I was taken to their office. I had asked Male several times what name should I give her, but sadly got no response. So for the moment I decided to name her 'Magic'.
Magic was at the bottom of the slip way, but I noticed two other boats somewhat larger than Magic and pretty impressive in size out at sea.
David said both built by Cheverton, both Pilot boats, one for Kenya and the other for Brunei (along with Magic) would be doing their trials.
A number of press had arrived. It was now time for me to launch her, with David hanging on to me, I broke a bottle filled with Coconut oil saying loudly Bismillahi Rahmaani Rah'eem.
The Sir Arnet Robinson
My Uncle Sir Arnet Robinson Chairman of Coast Lines had a Ship named after him by the Queen.
I felt very very special! It was time for all of us to board and for the trials to begin. I had my very first video camera with me, but was some what nervous and so decided it would be safer if I asked one of the members of the press to film for me. We could not have had a more lovely warm and calm sea...Ironically all the press boys decided to join me on Magic.
We had moved around the major shipping route Solent for some time, with Magic keeping up brilliantly. Looking at these Pilot Boats, I thought to myself one day MY islands will have these! At that time we did not have any pilot boats and ironically many years later when I was Guest Speaker on Canberra on her world Cruise lecturing from Colombo to Male, there was still no Pilot boat. A nasty surprise for the Captains!
Now it was time for us to all go to the Corinthian Yacht Club for a delicious lunch. After lunch the kindly press man had my video plugged into a Television and what a thrill, a delight to see the three of us showing off. I sent the film to Male.
Well done Chevertons and well done Magic. It wasn't long before she was off to pastures new, lovely warm seas, with a new name awaiting her. I did see her briefly years later, sitting outside the Airport ready to take passengers to Male, but alas I could not read her name!
To me she will always be the magical Magic.
I felt very very special! It was time for all of us to board and for the trials to begin. I had my very first video camera with me, but was some what nervous and so decided it would be safer if I asked one of the members of the press to film for me. We could not have had a more lovely warm and calm sea...Ironically all the press boys decided to join me on Magic.
We had moved around the major shipping route Solent for some time, with Magic keeping up brilliantly. Looking at these Pilot Boats, I thought to myself one day MY islands will have these! At that time we did not have any pilot boats and ironically many years later when I was Guest Speaker on Canberra on her world Cruise lecturing from Colombo to Male, there was still no Pilot boat. A nasty surprise for the Captains!
Now it was time for us to all go to the Corinthian Yacht Club for a delicious lunch. After lunch the kindly press man had my video plugged into a Television and what a thrill, a delight to see the three of us showing off. I sent the film to Male.
Well done Chevertons and well done Magic. It wasn't long before she was off to pastures new, lovely warm seas, with a new name awaiting her. I did see her briefly years later, sitting outside the Airport ready to take passengers to Male, but alas I could not read her name!
To me she will always be the magical Magic.
