Fruiterer Alec Rose sailed back into Portsmouth on 4 July 1968, 354 days after leaving the same port to sail solo around the world. Like Chichester, who had also recently circumnavigated in Gipsy Moth IV, Rose was knighted the following day.

Now, like Gipsy Moth IV, Lively Lady has completed a second circumnavigation. Raymarine were inspired to sponsor skipper Alan Priddy’s second voyage in Lively Lady following an earlier adventurous circumnavigation which he completed in a RIB.

Alan Priddy was appointed skipper and he has sailed each of the 25 legs around the world. A second skipper and two lucky young adult crew were selected to join him for each leg, giving another 75 people the special experience of reliving history in a legendary boat.

‘Saturday is going to be a very special day,’ said Alan in his blog on Friday. ‘not only for the young adults who will enter the record and history books by being the first crew to sail a classic boat completely around the world, but for the Late Sir Alec Rose’s memory. Having got to know the Rose family, Sir Alec wanted this voyage to happen, and I think that in some way he was always with us on our journey. After 28500 miles, Lively Lady is still in amazing condition and looks identical to when he sailed into Portsmouth 40 years ago.’

JOIN THE PARTY
On Saturday 5 July, Lively Lady will sail back into Portsmouth and moor at Gunwharf Quays, exactly 40 years and one day after Sir Alec returned to the very same port.

The celebration of this special day begins at 1000. There’s a display of classic cars, buses and scooters from Sir Alec’s era, model boats on – and diving in – the canal and live music. A flotilla of classic boats will assemble from about 1200 and at 1300, Lively Lady, escorted by Fisheries Protection Vessel HMS Mersey, will come alongside after her epic 28,500-mile voyage.

From 1530, Lively Lady will be open for visitors to step aboard and find out what’s it’s like onboard a legendary boat.