The marine locker also included an array of equipment from  Danforth anchors, boat hooks and boat dock lines & ropes. Over the summer of 1977, Donal used all the equipment to complete his duties as bowman.

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Antilles Air Boats had grand plans for the two Short S.25's purchased from Ansett Flying Boat Service in 1974 but without FAA certification the aircraft could not operate within the United States. They could operate from the U.S. V.I. but only to foreign locations. They were utilized as a "Flying Boat Cruise"  to those locations during the winter months and looked for another opportunity during the summers. The Blair's would spend time in Ireland each summer so why not bring "Southern Cross" back to  the island where it all started.  Charlie Blair returned to Foynes, Ireland with a flying boat in 1976, nearly thirty years since his last stopover.

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Donal Goggin was there to see that arrival and wanted to get up close and personal with this four engine flying boat. Donal's father was a colleague of Charlie Blair at Pan American World Airways and with that introduction Donal got the opportunity to crew the very last flights of this iconic aircraft.

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Donal shares his collection of photos and memories from those days many years ago. 

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