Raggy Charters turns 25 years old!
By Lloyd Edwards
Tuesday, 6th December 2022It has been a long haul but Raggy Charters managed to achieve this milestone with a 100% safety record and never having missed a cruise due to mechanical failure. It was only the weather gods who always had the final say!
A 150 of our loyal supporters and sponsors together with 10 staff packed the venue at the PE Angling Club for a night of presentations, music, food and drinks and much merriment. Thanks so much to all involved, especially MC Graeme Lund.
A highlight of the evening were our two awards from San Parks. Purity Khosa won the 2022/2023 Youth in Conservation Kudu Award and the company as a whole won the community Contribution to Conservation category. Our other accolades included several Lilizela Awards for the best marine, ocean and beach operation in South Africa as well as global Travellers Choice Trip Advisor Awards for the best tour in our area for many years in a row. Another Award came from Birdlife South Africa for Raggy Charters’ efforts to raise awareness about the endangered African penguin. The Tree Society of SA award was for their contribution to conserving and rehabilitating wetlands and other sensitive tree areas throughout the Eastern Cape.
Raggy Charters enters a new chapter as Jake Keeton and Purity Khosa will take up the reigns and guide Raggy Charters through the years ahead. They will be ably assisted by the “Boss” Karen Keeton and new skipper Keith Gibbs. Lloyd will concentrate his conservation efforts throughout sub-Saharan Africa and other marine hotspots around the world.
Thanks to Guy Rogers for his accurate reporting over the last 25 years. He has won many awards for his conservation reporting, well done to him!
Great article, thanks Guy!
MC Graeme Lund and Lloyd Edwards addressing the crowd.
Purity Khosa receives her Youth in Conservation Award fromFayroush Ludick of SAN Parks.
Jake Keeton receives the Kudu Award from Fay Ludick on behalf of Raggy Charters for company contribution to conservation.
Karen Keeton gives her presentation on the behind the scenes working of Raggy Charters.
Dr. Dean Allen presents on his new conservation initiatives in the Eastern Cape
Jake with part time Raggy Charters skipper "Professor" Warren Tarboton. He left Raggy Charters to pursue a career as a helicopter pilot. Hopefully Raggy Charters will have an air support wing one of these days!
Lloyd and Ursula with the Raggy Charters birthday cake!