Young Hammers: November 2016 Update

We presented the unique opportunity of trekking up the Andes to Lake Titicaca in 2018 to Level 3&4 youngsters, who will then be 15-18 yrs old,  from the West Ham United Foundation’s catchment area in East London and Essex.

The Young Hammers in the Andes 2015

The trekking will be combined with community involvement with the remote campesino  hamlets en route. Following on from the successful challenge undertaken by twelve Young Hammers in 2015, we are offering the same life changing experience which also endorses the historic link between the Yavari and the Hammers both of which were created by the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co.

Become a Yavari Trekker

Appplication open until end January 2017

Yavari: October 2016 Update

The year 2016 has been spent in completing the refit, acquiring the few outstanding “seaworthiness” certificates from the Peruvian Maritime Authority and moving the ship from the port to a mooring.

The Yavari moored in front of the five star Libertador Hotel, Puno Bay

The Yavari can now be found moored in Puno Bay very close to Isla Esteves (Esteves Island) which forms the outer arm of the bay, facing Puno.

The “island”, linked by a causeway to the mainland, is some 7kms from Puno and easily accessible by taxi or combi, or motor launch (lancha). To visit the ship or enjoy Bed & Breakfast on board, either call or email (as below). A ferry collects visitors from the private dock at 8a.m. or 5p.m. or at other times by appointment.

Booking Details

The Yavari desk e-mail : puno@tikariy.com.pe
By phone : +51 922 688 456 or +51 (51) 36 7780
By reservation form, depending on the experience at:

Time travel on the Yavari

Yavari Bed and Breakfast

Yavari navigation on the lake

Yavari on Facebook

In Addition:

Sadly in 2016, we lost a true ally in Sir Brian McGrath GCVO, Private Secretary to HRH The Duke
of Edinburgh, who died on June 4th. He was an enthusiast for the Yavari and always encouraged our
association with Prince Philip.

Also, by mutual agreement, Carlos Saavedra del Carpio, relinquished his post
as the Yavari’s captain. The Yavari Project has many years’ service to thank him for.
While a replacement is being sought, Maximo Flores, the ship’s engineer since 1983, has taken charge.

Our entire fleet afloat!

Here you see our entire fleet, the Yavari in the background, our dinghy “Meriel”, and our new barge “Victoria” all painted in the livery of the Peruvian Corporation which ran the entire lake fleet of 5 ships for eighty odd years.

Today we launched a (very heavy) barge made of fibre glass which we shall use for many things but it’s principal purpose is to enable us to avoid disposing or our sewage/human waste into the lake.

This will be the first of its kind and we hope set an example. We shall pump our waste out of the ship into two fibre glass tanks on the barge from where it will be pumped into a truck for disposal.

Currently some waste of 100,000 people of Puno is treated but not efficiently before being pumped back into the lake but the majority goes straight in. What we have done has cost us more but we believe that is the right thing to do.

Two crew members painting the plimsoll line from a barge which until now we have had to borrow.

British Embassy Visit

Together with Yasmine Martin who is handling all our PR and marketing, I called on British Ambassador Anwar Choudhury. Having come from Bangladesh via London’s east end, a similar background to one or two of the young Hammers, he is much looking forward to meeting them and will fly up to Puno to welcome them and sail on the Yavarí. He has also offered to introduce and promote La Asociación Yavarí when and where it is appropriate.

The Yavari bolinder engine in action!

Meanwhile, the young Hammers caused quite a media “frenzy” when they arrived in Tacna (550m) and the story developed that they were there to look for pieces of the Yavari left on the trail in the 1860s.

They shopped for stores before moving out to Miculla (1600m) to have a look at the petroglyphs and spend the night. At Palca they were warmly greeted by the mayor before continuing their climb to Caplina (3400+m) where they met the 25 llamas who will carry their kit and Toyota, the donkey, responsible for carrying the camping gas cylinder.

Young Hammers in Tacna

All are reported to be in fine form and much enjoying everything so far.

Further news of the young Hammers – Tough going at 3.800m but all doing well and have even kicked the ball about!

The Yavari has completed her refit and is now undergoing “sea trials”.

Captain and his 9 member crew

Captain Carlos and his crew of nine have been putting the ship through her paces while training the new crew members.

Yavari testing the new Danford anchors

In strong winds – even snow – Ian Biles , our marine surveyor, says “Today’s sea trials were a tremendous success. The ship handles wonderfully” and the Bolinder engine was running so well they reached 12 knots – which has never been done before – ever!

Yavari under way