Curious that the downrigging was performed using a modern crane instead of making use of the rigging features described in the sources such as Steel and Boudriot — the Burton tackles and topropes. A traditional removal of yards, topgallant masts, and topmasts could have been very interesting to spectators (and to those of us viewing the video). But, I suppose it would take much longer.

As a traditional sailor working on the Makali’i (a traditional Polynesian outrigger voyaging canoe) with electric power tools, once said: “If da ancestahs woulda had ’em, dey would’a used ’em, brah.”

I have been on site when using the traditional method to down-rig and using cranes on traditional sailing vessels. It takes a lot longer to do it the traditional way, but there are other consequences, some not as obvious. Cranes tend to be insensitive to historic material if in collision. Traditional methods cost no more in comparison but also train some new blood! Just an incredible waste of opportunity to sharpen skills, train traditional riggers and show the world ‘how it’s supposed-to be done’! There may have also been an insurance issue that we don’t know-of here!