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Methodist Web Radio
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Pilgrims Way III is the Flagship of Churches Together in Lincolnshire. It is owned by Methodist minister, Rev. Maurice Perry, and his wife, Ruth. It was dedicated by Bishop John of Lincoln at Brayford Pool in January 2003, for work on the waterways of Lincoln and is usually based at Chapel Hill on the River Witham.
Its work is part of the churches wider ministry for those who live and work on the waterways around Lincolnshire and The Wash, increasing links with and support for organisations such as the Environment Agency, British Waterways, Fen Tourism and various Internal Drainage Boards.
Maurice is actively involved in the proposed "Cathedral Navigation Link Scheme", aimed at bringing increased tourism, employment and regeneration to the area. PW III is therefore only a part of the wider work of the chaplaincy and a new approach to Christian pilgrimage.
The chaplaincy is jointly supported and funded by various church groups, South Holland Methodist Circuit, in which Maurice has several churches under his pastoral care and which sponsors the time and travel needed to carry out the work. Other groups include "Churches Together in All Lincolnshire" and the Lincoln & Grimsby District of the Methodist Church. A local management group in South Holland monitors the whole project, including finance.
Moving from the Norfolk Broads meant dramatic changes in more ways than one - the boat and crew needing to be equipped and trained for work at sea. There is also the navigation problem of low bridges and shallow water. Therefore the work has become more involved than on the Broads.
Not only is the boat literally a flagship of the Church's role in the 21st century, it has been used for other events, such as training clergy, weddings and scattering ashes for both Hindu and Christian families.
Technical Details
The boat "Pilgrims Way III" is a Portofino 31, and was built in 1991 by Sunseeker International of Poole, Dorset.
It has had two previous owners, both living on or near the Isle of Wight, and was then known as "Lady Joan of Cowes".
It was first built as a fast sea-going motor cruiser for use on the Solent, or in the Mediterranean.
It has 4 berths in two cabins but could sleep up to 7 or 8 people. It can carry up to 12 people on the upper deck, plus crew, hence its suitability for small groups and the work of the Waterways Chaplaincy. Below, it has a dinette, small galley, refrigerator and toilet, with shower.
The boat is nearly 32' long and 11' wide and has a draft of 1 metre (3'3"). It has an air draft of 7'6" and can therefore negotiate the "Glory Hole", at Lincoln, which is one of the lowest bridges on the River Witham. Future modifications may be required to manage the lower bridge on the upper River Welland, at Spalding.
It is powered by two 200hp Volvo diesel engines, which are capable of giving the boat a maximum speed of over 30mph! Its tanks hold over 110 gallons of fuel and 35 gallons of water. When fully loaded, its displacement is well over 4 tons but, driven by two external stern drives, it can turn within its own length.
The boat is equipped with the most modern navigation aids, including radar, sonar and satellite navigation systems and VHF radio. It is also equipped with life jackets, flares, generator and emergency dinghy and has passed the RNLB sea check for safety at sea.
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