08/05/2026
Last week, we took Helen Mary R back to Southampton to start her 40th birthday celebrations with the Rona Sailing Project; and what a week it turned out to be!
The weather certainly made us work for it. Either strong easterlies or no wind at all seemed determined to make the passage a challenge, but eventually we arrived at Universal Marina on the River Hamble, absolutely blown away by the welcome, support, and belief in what Morvargh Sailing Project is trying to achieve in Cornwall.
What really struck us was how much it felt like returning to the family home. The warmth, the encouragement, the stories, and the genuine belief in what HMR continues to do created such a powerful feeling of belonging. Vicky and I came away feeling hugely proud to still be part of the wider Rona family, and incredibly grateful for the strength of feeling people still have for this very special boat.
One of the most special parts of the entire weekend was welcoming so many Rona volunteers and Afterguard aboard HMR. Vicky and I had never really fully appreciated the sheer number of people who began their journey on HMR, or just how deeply she has shaped lives over the last four decades.
Listening to story after story of confidence gained, careers started, friendships formed, adventures had, and opportunities discovered through was incredibly emotional. There was a real sense that Helen Mary R has been part of something far bigger than simply sailing from one place to another. She has carried generations of young people through challenge, growth, and life-changing experiences at sea.
If we are honest, the timing could not have been better. Running a small Sail Training organisation is not always easy, and sometimes you become so focused on keeping everything going that you forget to stop and look at the impact. Speaking to so many people whose lives had genuinely been shaped aboard this vessel was exactly the reminder we needed of why we do this.
Built by the Rona Sailing Project in 1985 and launched in 1986, Helen Mary R has now sailed well over 100,000 miles. In that time, more than 6,000 young people and at least 4,000 volunteers have crossed her decks. When you stop and think about those numbers, and the lives, memories, confidence, friendships, and futures tied to them, you realise she is far more than just a boat. She truly is something very special.
Saturday’s sail in company down the River Hamble and out into the Solent was another highlight. A gentle breeze eventually arrived and allowed the fleet to race towards Cowes Yacht Haven before an incredible evening at the Island Cruising Club. The turnout, the food, the atmosphere, and especially the stories shared throughout the evening made it something truly special.
We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Rona for organising such an amazing event. We know firsthand just how much work goes into bringing something like this together, and we really cannot thank you enough for making it happen.
Forty years on, Helen Mary R is still doing exactly what she was built to do: changing lives through Sail Training.
And after last week, that feels more important than ever.
