Nine Years to Build a Boat, Two Sizes of Hoodie

Nine years: the build, finished in May 2007, with considerable help from parents, local volunteers and professional craftsmen.

One low-loader truck, to get her to Glasson Dock.

Twelve Year 8 boys, on the maiden voyage in spring 2009.

Fifteen years of Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, 2009 to 2024.

Ten girls, on a voyage off the west coast of Scotland written up day by day for the Tall Ships Youth Trust blog in August 2018. On day one they were told how much more polite and mature the boys before them had been. They had been aboard for an afternoon and were already being compared.

One man-overboard briefing, followed by many jokes. By the end of the day everyone knew what to do if someone fell in, “after laughing at them for a reasonable amount of time first of course”.

Zero whales. On day two, at the front of the boat, two of the girls watched the clip of Dory speaking whale in Finding Nemo and practised. No whale surfaced, and “by the time we had learnt whale language” they were pulling into shore.

Two sizes. For their hard work the crew were given Tenacity merch, available only in extra-large and extra-extra-large. That evening there was a fashion show.

One passing boat. Its skipper was told his boat needed merch too, and sailed off. Later he came back and said he would think about it.

I have read all this to our daughter twice. She has added to the packing list: Finding Nemo, downloaded, and a short speech for other boats. I have added a waterproof in a size she will fit in 2031.

Bolton School would call that tenacity. Our daughter calls it a tent.