Launch of My Bru
By Lloyd Edwards

Wednesday, 11th August 2021

“My Bru”, a Long time coming!

So at long last we managed to launch our brand new White Shark Cage Diving vessel, My Bru. All the sponsors, crew and Raggy Charters Associates got together at the Deep Sea Angling Club to join in the festivities. “My Bru” is the sister ship of “My China” which, over the last three years, has proven herself in all sea conditions that Algoa Bay has thrown at her. There have been a few modifications like widening the cabin to house both a toilet and changing room.

At 6pm sharp the Land Cruiser pulling My Bru arrived on the slipway, in full view of the crowd gathered on the lawn of the angling club. A brilliant speech was delivered by Shena Wilmot from Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. Local muso Michelle Olivier provided the music and the theme song from Queen Elizabeth launching the Britannia Royal Yacht! Ursula proceeded to saber the top off the Champaign with my Police Officers sword, ably assisted by Purity and Kristen. She then named and blessed the boat and all who sail in her.

The launch went off without a hitch on the great new trailer. Jake skippered her to the quay for everyone to inspect. Back inside, the Master of Ceremonies Graeme Lund got the show on the road. Lloyd handed out certificates and Lee Hensberg ceramic sharks that she had crafted for all the sponsors. Ronelle Potgieter got a special mention for her role in the Shark Long Lining Petition.

Magnetic Storm then showed us the latest Discovery Shark Week that was filmed at Bird Island aboard the Raggy Charters boats. Great food was provided by Nic Gunston, including copious amounts of squid from Talhado Fishing and prawns from Unick Foods. Thanks to our “Boss” Karen, Ursula, Purity and Kristin for the wonderful spread.

The Covid interrupted building process.

Kerry Butt of Butt Cat Boat Builders prepared and Gel coated the mold for My Bru on the 9th September 2019. The seasoned laminators then started the laborious task of putting on the layers of fiberglass and resin. The bulkheads were fixed in place and the stringers attached. After this the boat is popped out of the mold and taken to the finishing shed. Here deck is attached; the cabin and seating are constructed and fitted. After plenty of polishing and neatening up, the boat was loaded onto a truck and taken to Port Elizabeth. With the help of a crane, it was offloaded at the Butt Cat finishing factory at the bottom of Brickmakers Kloof on the 9th March 2020. Covid then struck and the boat was locked up in the shed. Work resumed towards the end of 2020. The powerful outboards, stainless steel and all the electronics seemed to take an age, but finally the day arrived. Getting through the South African Marine Safety Authority tests also proved a mission. Jake stuck to his guns to ensure everything was completed by launch day! Almost two years from start to launch!