Sir Alec Rose’s iconic ketch, Lively Lady, is to undergo a major refit at the Hayling Yacht Company.

The yacht, which Sir Alec sailed in the OSTAR and around the world, has now been towed from Camber Docks in Portsmouth to Hayling Island ahead of the restoration work.

The 36-foot vessel will be lifted out of the water in a few weeks’ time and put under cover before she is cleaned.

Lively Lady in 2015

The refit will include a replacement deck, reassembling the wheel house, new electrics and work down below to make her health and safety compliment. She will also be repainted.

Sir Alec, who was knighted just a day after his historic circumnavigation, gifted Lively Lady to Portsmouth City Council.

She has since been leased to the charity, Around and Around, for 25 years, after the charity’s founder, Alan Pridy wanted to use the ketch for sail training.

He felt that Lively Lady should not just be a museum piece but should be actively used to inspire youngsters to sail.

Lively Lady being towed to Hayling Island

Part of the lease agreement included the refurbishment of the yacht.

Originally, the major refit was to be carried out at the International Boatbuilding Training College in Portsmouth.

Between 2006-2008, Priddy recreated Sir Alec’s voyage with an ever changing crew of disadvantaged youngsters from the city.

Continued below…

Iconic yacht Lively Lady goes for refit today

Sir Alec Rose’s iconic yacht Lively Lady is undergoing a major refit at the International Boatbuilding Training College in Portsmouth.…

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Now talks are underway between Portsmouth City Council and Around and Around over events to mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Alec’s historic circumnavigation.

A spokesman for Around and Around, Alistair Thompson, said: “We would like a whole series of festivities, culminating in the recreation of the sail past off Southsea. We want to use the anniversary to encourage young people to get more involved in sailing.”

“We want young people to be inspired by Sir Alec Rose’s voyage. He was just a greengrocer from Southsea who showed that you could do anything you set your mind to,” he added.

Sir Alec Rose stands outside Buckingham Palace with his wife after receiving his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, Credit: S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport

Other events could include an exhibition about Sir Alec and his life, as Round and Round has amassed many artefacts including scrolls detailing Lively Lady‘s voyage and original clothing worn by Sir Alec.

It is also hoped that a blue plaque can be installed on the site of Sir Alec’s greengrocers shop in Southsea, which is currently a kebab shop.