THE VESSEL

HISTORY: 'THANE' Victoria's 'SPRAY'

Slocum's voyage alone around the world 100 years ago is among the most famous feats of single-handed voyaging of all time. 'SPRAY' was given to Slocum by a friend in 1892. The vessel had been abandoned in a field seven years earlier. Slocum rebuilt her, then in 1895 struck out on his voyage. Alone aboard the 'SPRAY', Slocum covered 46,000 miles in three years. The boats hull form enabled it to self steer under sail. The 'SPRAY's' sailing performance is legendary. 'Sailing Alone Around The World' is Joshua Slocum's account of his voyage. It has been in publication since 1900 and has been the inspiration for many 'SPRAY' replicas including the 'THANE of Victoria'.

'THANE' was rebuilt by present day owner Len Pearson. Similar to Slocum, Len found his SPRAY hull in a field where it had been abandoned 10 years earlier.

In 1972 he traded his '68 Chev for the hull. Victoria was experiencing a building boom which provided an excellent source of quality timber and scrap metal. Made largely of recycled materials, 'THANE' was built in five years on Finger One at Fisherman's Wharf.

She is 55ft overall, 40 ft on deck and powered by a 100hp Isuzu diesel. Although THANE has yet to circumnavigate, she self steers like the original 'SPRAY'. She is stoutly built and like her predecessor, she's a working girl. 'Currently THANE operates a 3-HOUR SAIL daily departing from 'A' dock in front of the Empress Hotel in Victoria's Inner Harbour. For more photos of THANE visit our PHOTO GALLERY.

SAFETY FEATURES::  

THANE is Transport Canada certified for up to 18 day passengers or 6 overnight guests. The Captain holds a Masters Limited and Crew are MED (Marine Emergency Duty) certified. Although too extensive to list all of the safety equipment aboard the vessel, here is a list of critical equipment:  

•  Covered Self Inflating Life raft for 25 persons
•  Full compliment of Life jackets
•  Fire fighting and pumping equipment
•  DSC VHF Radio
•  Flares and sounders  

In addition to the meeting the requirements set forth by the Department of Transport, THANE has a computerized navigation system, radar, and cell phones in case of emergency. In addition to a full compliment of Transport Canada certified life jackets we also provide personal floatation devices for children. THANE is fully insured as a passenger carrying vessel and has operated without incident for over 30 years.

SHIP'S PROFILE:

The present day owner acquired the partially finished hull in 1972 then  built and launched her in Victoria in 1976.  Today she works as a Transport Canada certified passenger carrying ship offering daily cruises from Victoria's inner harbour.