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OFFSHORE SAILING

Offshore Sailing We maintain a small fleet of offshore vessels comprising: TS ROYALIST, our 29-metre square-rigged sailing brig, which takes, in addition to the permanent staff, 24 Cadets and two adults at a time. TS JOHN JERWOOD, our 24-metre power-training ship, which came into service in 2002 and has berths for 12 Cadets and two adults, with a permanent crew of four. Two Tradewind 35 yachts, TS CITY LIVERYMAN and TS VIGILANT which take 5 Cadets and one adult plus the staff skipper. Cadets normally join on a Saturday and, without any previous offshore experience, then become the working crew of the ship until the following Friday. (Weekend bookings are available in low season). During their week they might call at a number of ports on the UK coast, getting involved in official functions along the way. Weather permitting, our Cadets can even find themselves sailing to France or Belgium. Both Cadets and adults alike often describe their trip as the experience of a lifetime, during which they are stretched mentally, physically and socially. Whilst living, eating and sleeping aboard the ship, Cadets are able to put into practice the basic training which they have been given at their Units ashore, while picking up the many skills involved in actually sailing the ship. They also develop their leadership and teamwork skills, learning to appreciate the benefits of being a member of a like-minded team. A sail cannot be raised unless the team is working together properly! Above all else, they learn self-discipline and co-operation, since they are reliant on one another for their safety. Our offshore vessels are equipped for training towards RYA (Royal Yachting Association) qualifications. The charges for our berths compare very favourably with the rates charged elsewhere, and there are a number of bursaries available so that Cadets are able to take up these opportunities, regardless of their personal circumstances. Our ships are also made available to other uniformed youth organisations in the UK. A poster giving each vessel's programme is published in the autumn for the following year.   back     Template by www.entity.cc