Gipsy Moth IV will be sailing into Plymouth on Monday 28 May and to Cowes 3 June, exactly 40 years to the day since Sir Francis Chichester returned from his record breaking voyage, to mark the completion of her second circumnavigation of the globe.

After an extensive restoration driven by UKSA, Yachting Monthly and the Maritime Trust, and many other supporters, Gipsy Moth IV set sail on a second circumnavigation of the globe with the Blue Water Rally in September 2005, providing over 80 young people with the opportunity of a lifetime during the 20 month voyage.

The people involved in this epic journey overcame many challenges on their voyage. Young people were given the chance to learn how to sail and visit exotic locations. In Plymouth people will be able to hear the stories these young people experienced on Gipsy Moth IV.

Gipsy Moth IV will return to her new home port of Cowes and join UKSA’s fleet of yachts to continue taking young people on sailing trips. These charitable trips will be funded by Gipsy Moth IV sailing experiences, which can be booked via UKSA. The day, weekend and 5-day trips will give sailors the opportunity to take to the helm of one of the world’s most famous yachts and practice traditional navigation and seamanship.

On 28 May in Plymouth there will be a flotilla of yachts to accompany Gipsy Moth IV into the harbour, which she departed from in September 2005. As well as Giles Chichester, son of Sir Francis, crowds will be able to witness the very same Gypsy Moth IV bi-plane that greeted Chichester in 1967 to welcome the yacht home.

Plus there’ll be plenty of entertainment on the Hoe in Plymouth as visitors will be transported back to 1967, with swinging 60’s bands and fashion shows and valuable archive video footage of Chichester’s return.

Itinerary for Monday 28 May in Plymouth

11.30 Media briefing (Royal Western Yacht Club Plymouth)

12.00 Afternoon of entertainment begins on Plymouth Hoe

13.00 Media vessel departs to rendezvous with Gipsy Moth IV

14.00 Gipsy Moth passes Plymouth breakwater and makes her way into the Sound

15.00 Skipper and crew transferred from Gipsy Moth IV to the steps at West Hoe Pier where Chichester came ashore in 1967.

15.30 Gipsy Moth IV transferred to Queen Annes Battery

16.00 Drinks reception at Royal Western Yacht Club