Schooner Midsummer

The sailing vessel ‘Midsummer’ is a classic topsail schooner, built in 1910 at Vlaardingen in the Netherlands.

She has a long history at sea, but was abandoned after she was run aground off Zanzibar in 2014. She had been laid up in Mombasa until Drew found her and started this mega-project to restore her in 2022.

Drew Korek purchased the Midsummer in 2022, and has spent the past three years restoring her in Kenya.

It all began with a dream.

Once restored, the ship is intended to be used for sail training, boutique cargo and as a retreat for veterans with PTSD.

“Call me a crazy, romantic fool but I will see this project through.”

I met Drew back in 2011, when we worked together as part of the International Association of Maritime Security Professionals. I have supported this conservation project by contributing to the communications about Drew’s efforts in restoring this ship.

Photo: Me in 1992 while serving in the Canadian Navy - inbound to the Dardanelles.

Check out Drew’s videos on YouTube

References:

Sika Marine, Kenya (2025) Sailing With Purpose: Sika Marine Solutions Aboard the Schooner Midsummer. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1910543766371640

Donnelly, DA (2025) Midsummer’s Midsummer Update. https://www.debborahdonnelly.ca/blog/midsummers-midsummer

Donnelly, DA (2024) Midsummer Update - 2024. https://www.debborahdonnelly.ca/blog/midsummer-update-2024

Classic Yacht Info (2024) Midsummer - Trials and tribulations. https://classicyachtinfo.com/2024/07/16/midsummer-trials-and-tribulations/

Donnelly, DA (2024) For the Love of the Sea. https://www.debborahdonnelly.ca/blog/nautical-love

International Institute of Marine Surveying (2022) The s/v Midsummer: One member’s dream in the spotlight. The Report, Edition 100, June 2022, pp. 36- 37. https://www.iims.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/The-Report-Edition-100-June-2022-1.pdf

Charterworld description of Midsummer - https://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=yacht-charter&charter=midsummer-4801