AN EPIC voyage is back on track after an army of skilled volunteers from across the country answered an urgent plea for help.

Royal Navy Petty Officer Seb Coulthard was delighted when 15 volunteers arrived at Portland Marina to work on an Antarctic-bound boat.

The Shackleton Epic Expedition project suffered a ‘minor setback’ when its chief engineer injured his hand less than two weeks from the project’s completion.

Expedition bosun Officer Coulthard injured his hand on an electric saw while fitting his kitchen at home.

He said: “I arrived at the marina on Saturday morning and there was this small army of people waiting for me.

“There were all these lovely people waiting to save the day, some were boat builders and others owned yachts.

“We had 15 volunteers in total, which is far more than I was expecting.”

The expedition will replicate Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1916 journey across Antarctica.

The replica vessel is due to be launched on a test voyage from Portland waters at 1pm on Sunday before she makes the 800-mile journey taken by Shackleton from Elephant Island to South Georgia Island.

Officer Coulthard added: “It began with people from Portland and then we started getting people from south east London and even Cumbria.

“People were quite happy to travel the distance to help and I was delighted.”

The launch ceremony at Portland Marina will be attended by several high-ranking officers, diplomats and special guests from all over the world, including American author Margot Morrell and expedition leader Tim Jarvis from Australia.

Officer Coulthard praised Yvonne Beven of the Revive Portland group for helping to rally a group of volunteers, the island community and thanked Portland Marina staff for their support for the project.

He said: “It’s just amazing how helpful everyone is.

“It was a really great turnout.

“Originally I asked for volunteers just for the weekend but some people have pitched up in campsites and have offered to help me all week.

“It’s thanks to them all that we’re still on track for the launch.

“This has just been a minor setback.

“I would like to officially thank all the volunteers who came on the day, they should get all the recognition because without their help there wouldn’t be a launch.”