Traditional Boats & Tall Ships Magazine

Liverpool launches female tall ship crew into history Books

This July forty young women will set sail from Liverpool to the Norwegian port of Maloy on the first leg of the STI Tall Ships' Races setting the record for being the first all-female crew in the history of the Tall Ships' Races to sail a Class A vessel.  The girls, who are representing the Senior Section of Girlguiding UK, were chosen from all over the UK and includes nine girls who have physical disabilities.

They will race against a fleet of roughly 100 other ships including around twenty Class A square riggers, leaving Liverpool on 22nd July and arriving in Maloy, Norway ten days later.  This historic crew will set sail aboard STS Lord Nelson, pictured left, a 55-metre square rigger owned and operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust.  Lord Nelson is one of only two tall ships in the world specially designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side by side as equals.  The Guides will be accompanied on this voyage by ten professional female crew, drawn from the existing staff of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, already unique in boasting two female tall ship captains.

Forty young women selected from over 180 applicants now make up the final voyage crew. The girls have had to raise almost £1,750 each to cover the cost of the voyage, including flights, insurance, training and other special kit.  JST Chief Executive Amanda Butcher said, “This is a fabulous opportunity to experience a once in a lifetime adventure on board our tall ship Lord Nelson.”

Liz Burnley, a Chief Guide of Girlguiding UK, added “Girlguiding UK's partnership with the Jubilee Sailing Trust will provide forty young women with a once in a lifetime experience, irrespective of their levels of physical ability or sailing skills.  Through our programme we offer girls and young women the skills and confidence to broaden their horizons for the future - and being part of the first all-female crew for the Class A group of the Tall Ships Race will certainly do that.” 

For the full story about the Jubilee Sailing Trust and Lord Nelson's historic all-female crew, be sure to pick up Traditional Boats & Tall Ships #51, on sale at the end of May 2008. 

Maritime Museum celebrates tall ships regatta

To celebrate the highly anticipated Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta coming to Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall is launching a fantastic new exhibition which will take a closer look at some of today's most revered tall ships.

The photographic exhibition features amazing images of the stunning vessels which will be making their way to Falmouth in September - including the work of Max, the world class marine photographer responsible for the picture to the right.  The exhibition also explores the background of the Tall Ships’ Races and their role in fostering greater understanding between young people from all over the world.  The first ever Tall Ships’ Race took place in 1956 with just 20 ships - the event now often boasts over 100 vessels, with thousands of crew members from as many as 50 different countries.  Sail Training International, organisers of The Tall Ships’ Races, were even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for their activities promoting international friendship and understanding through sail training for young people. 

Milly Newman, Exhibitions Development Assistant says: “Everyone at the Maritime Museum is incredibly excited about the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta.  It’s set to be a truly spectacular event and we hope this new exhibition will help whet people’s appetites.”

The exhibition opens on 1st July and runs until 26th September.

Sail Training International Conference to be held in Canada

The Sail Training International annual conference will be held outside Europe this year for the first time ever. It will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 14th and 15th November, and organised jointly with the American Sail Training Association (ASTA – one of the founder member national sail training organisations of Sail Training International).

“This development recognises Sail Training International’s growing engagement outside its historical European base and it will provide us with an excellent opportunity to gather more sail trainers from North America than would normally attend in Europe”, says Nigel Rowe, President of the organisation. “Halifax will also be a Sail Training International host port for the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009.”

The Canadian tall ship Concordia, pictured right. 

The theme for the Sail Training Programme content will be ‘Best Practices – why we do it and how we do it’.  This will include workshops on subjects such as media relations, medicine at sea, youth work, State funding, and navigating the regulatory seas.  The theme for the Host Port Programme content will be ‘Working together – measuring and maximising the benefits of partnering with the sail training industry’.  This will include workshops on subjects such as recruiting trainees, media case studies, corporate hospitality and economic impact studies.

The conference will be preceded by a ‘Port to Port Day’ on Thursday 13 November, which will provide opportunities for host port delegates to network with other ports and representatives of the port business community in Halifax.

Special discounted room rates have been negotiated with the Marriott Halifax Harbourfront Hotel and fees have been set to encourage sail training operators to attend this important conference. A limited number of bursaries will also be available to assist sail trainers with travel costs.

Full details of the conference, with booking form and details of bursaries will be available on the Sail Training International website from the end of May.  Delegates from North America must register via the ASTA website, also available from the end of May.

BBC Radio Solent launches a new sailing show

Sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will be ruling the waves once more this week as he takes the helm of BBC Radio Solent's new weekly programme the H2O show on Fridays from 7-8pm - starting on Friday 18th April 2008. 

In a first for BBC Radio Solent - 96.1 & 103.8FM - the show will also be available as a weekly podcast, at www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire and www.bbc.co.uk/dorset.  Listeners will be able to download highlights of the show to their computer or MP3 player in order to listen at their convenience.  The H2O show will be added to the BBC's existing portfolio of podcasts available at www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts.

The H2O show will offer listeners all they need to know whether they spend their time on the water or in it, at the time they need it - a Friday night when they are planning their weekend.  Whether it is weather forecasts, sporting events, What's On information, or what vessel is expected in port listeners will be able to find it on H2O.

Despite being a world famous yachtsman Sir Robin won't be sailing alone, as local powerboat champion Shelley Jory will also be on hand, bringing listeners special reports from around the region.  BBC Radio Solent is delighted to have Shelley onboard in what promises to be a very special season for one of the UK's leading powerboat racers as she joins the Powerboat P1 World Championship Series.

Speaking before the launch of the H20 Show, Sir Robin said: "Boating has got to be one of the biggest sports in Hampshire, it's a major activity for people, but the coverage has been limited so far.  So I am really looking forward to it, and making it available as a podcast really will open up the programme to people unable to listen live on a Friday night.  The show will be about any activity on or in the water, we want to talk to anyone who goes afloat.  And you won't have to be an expert.  We want to include information that is useful whether your livelihood is on the water or it it's just how you spend your leisure time.  For example, as well as updating you on sea conditions we could also be taking a look at how you get started in Kayaking.  It will be a programme that anyone can listen to; we want to encourage people's interest.  It is all about accessibility."

Solent Managing Editor Mia Costello explained the new show has been developed with the help of local water sports enthusiasts and experts: "We invited in a group of people from the Solent area who had an interest in water activities and asked them what they wanted to hear.  This ranged from general information to what's on in the Solent that weekend, and the H2O show on a Friday evening is the result.  As we developed the programme the idea of making it available on demand and as a podcast just seemed obvious.  People who enjoy the water spend a lot of time on it or in it and not by their radios so let's give them the information they want at a time that suits.  And then there's the global aspect!"

The H2O Show with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Shelley Jory starts this Friday, April 18, at 7pm, on BBC Radio Solent 96.1 & 103.8FM, and on bbc.co.uk/hampshire and bbc.co.uk/dorset

Salford student takes the helm in Tall Ships' Race

University of Salford student Rob Brown is swapping text books for the tiller when he sets sail in the Tall Ships' Race this summer - and he's not put off by the fact that he's never sailed before.  BA Journalism and Broadcasting student Rob, who is in his final year at the University of Salford, has been chosen to take part in the international maritime event as part of the Sailing North East crew.  They will be racing the Black Diamond of Durham - a ten-berth, 45ft Bowman Corsair Ocean Racer.  The 22-year-old, from Middlesbrough, will be trained in the art of sailing as the race progresses. 

He said: "A lot of the crew will be novices, like me.  It's certainly a challenge - and I like a challenge!  I like to push myself mentally and physically and, as I'm going to be leaving university this summer, I'm hoping it will be good preparation for going out into the world."

Rob will be graduating from the University of Salford only a couple of days before embarking on this next venture.  "I think it's going to be really hard work," he said, "but it's going to be an adventure and a chance to experience something different."

Rob is currently looking for sponsorship from organisations that would like to use the traditional tall ship he'll be racing - plus its crew - for publicity.  "In the past our boat has carried flags or hull stickers, the crew have worn company-sponsored clothing and we've taken part in photo opportunities," he said.  "Basically, we're completely open to suggestions - within reason of course!  The races get national and international coverage from radio, newspapers and TV, so it's an ideal opportunity for businesses to get themselves seen."

The Tall Ships' Race, which is organised by Sailing Training International, takes place every year in European waters.  Between 70 and 100 vessels from up to 20 countries worldwide take part in the event, which this year begins on 18th July in Liverpool, the European Capital of Culture for 2008.  From Liverpool, where the first race takes place, the crews will sail to Norway for the second race and then finish their journey in the Netherlands on 23 August.

The Young Endeavour celebrates 20 Years

The tall ship Young Endeavour, the United Kingdom’s gift to Australia in 1988, celebrated 20 years recently with the first youth crew joining with the current youth crew to celebrate.

When Karen Lidyard obeyed the Captain rather than the King of England on her first day sailing the tall ship Young Endeavour she knew she was in for the adventure of a lifetime while Tiffanie Bulstrode’s Young Endeavour voyage, inspired her to circumnavigate the world for seven years.

Both were part of the 24 youth crew which delivered the modern tall ship from the United Kingdom to Australia in 1988.   It was the United Kingdom’s gift for Australia’s Bicentenary—a ship built for sail training of young people.The voyage took over eight months and included stops in Brazil, South Africa and many Australian coastal cities and towns.

“I faced many personal challenges on that voyage, and so the real gift of the Young Endeavour is that it provides young people the courage and confidence to take on a challenge,” Mrs Bulstrode said.

Members of that original crew and the current youth crew reunited to celebrate 20 years of the Young Endeavour, including sailing the ship on Sydney Harbour on Australia Day. The Prince and Princess of Wales presented the Young Endeavour to Australia on 25 January 1988 and it participated in the Tall Ships program with the parade of sail through Sydney Heads on Australia Day. Since then, Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, Australia’s leading youth development program, has enabled almost 10,000 young Australians to sail a tall ship on the open sea in what is often a life-changing experience. 
“It has expanded the horizons of thousands of young Australians and developed leadership, communication and teamwork skills and engendered a sense of community responsibility,” Mr Moss said.

A voyage on the Young Endeavour as a member of a youth crew aged 16-23, is a unique challenge.  Youth crew experience 11 days at sea, living and working with 23 other young people from all over the Australia, learning to sail a ship which is capable of taking on any ocean in the world.

The youth crew sail the 44-metre, square-rigged tall ship on the open sea.  They climb the 30m mast, set sails, navigate, keep watch and take the helm. They also take command of the ship for 24 hours.
Over 20 voyages are conducted each year by the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy. It was acknowledged as the International Sail Training Organisation of the Year in 2007.

Young Australians aged 16 - 23 can apply now for a berth. But hurry, applications need to be entered by 29 February to be in with a chance of a voyage in the second half of 2008.

Applications can be made online: www.youngendeavour.gov.au or by calling 1800 020 444.

It's murder on Valentine's Day on ss Great Britain

  Murder and love often go hand in hand, a fact not missed by the ss Great Britain this Valentine's Day. The ship, now in her original Dry Dock in Bristol, is hosting a Valentine's Murder Mystery Dinner.

Set during the 1920s in the ship's Promenade Deck and First Class Dining Saloon, the children and grandchildren of the ship's passengers have been invited to uncover a dark secret. There is love in the air, but also revenge and...murder!

The script is based on true events and characters that have been researched by the actors on board and assisted by information from the Dockyard Museum. Alhough there is no record of murder, many believe the disappearance of the ship's Captain Gray during a voyage between Australia and England to be dubious.

The Valentine's Day theme is carried across into the menu for the evening as well which includes heart of smoked salmon cornets, breast of chicken with champagne and forest mushroom sauce and strawberries dipped in bitter chocolate. Guests will be expected to enter into the spirit of the event and dress up in 1920's costume.

For more information or to book call ++44 (0) 117 926 0680 or visit www.ssgreatbritain.org. The event costs £60 per person

Pic Credit: Mandy Reynolds

Award winning underwater photographic exhibition opens at Maritime Museum

As part of its soon to be opened Under the Sea exhibition, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall is celebrating the work of three award winning underwater photographers.

From 28 January, Alex Mustard, multiple winner in the two most prestigious competitions for underwater photographers: the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and World Festival of Underwater Photography in Antibes, France, JP Trenque, winner of the BBC News Photographer of the Year and chair of the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP), and Mark Webster, silver and bronze winner at the CMAS World Championships, will have a number of their award winning images displayed within the new major exhibition showing man's exploits under the sea.

The British Society of Underwater Photographers was formed in 1967 and with over 200 members is the largest underwater photographic society in Britain. The Society is dedicated to encouraging and developing underwater photography in all its aspects, both film and digital. Its members vary from divers who have just started to take underwater photographs to eminent professionals who lead the world.

Talking about his work, Mark Webster says: "Having lived in Cornwall for over 30 years, it's a real privilege to have my work on display in Cornwall's Maritime Museum. As a well established photo-journalist, I've seen a lot of incredible events at sea and there is one image within the exhibition that instantly takes me right back to when it was taken. A basking shark was trapped in a gill net in Mounts Bay and the memory of photographing, rescuing and reviving this incredible creature will stay with me always and I hope visitors to this exhibition are as moved by my work as I have been taking the shots."

Alongside the images are objects chronologically charting the development of underwater photography. Discover the Calypsophot, developed for Jacques Cousteau's underwater research group which featured in the Bond thriller Thunderball, and admire an early Rolleiflex camera from 1951.

For more information visit www.nmmc.co.uk

Caption: The photograph shown is 'Red Sea Yacht',  (c) J P Trenque

A true Sydney 'Swan' returns to celebrate Australia Day

Sydney's only authentic timber tall ship - Svanen - has just completed a major refit under the watchful eyes of a new ownership and management team and is available for BBQ Lunch Cruises, Twilight Cruises, charters and for special events including the forthcoming Australia Day.

An oak three-masted Barquentine, Svanen (meaning 'Swan') is originally from Denmark and is of great cultural significance to Sydney as she served as flagship of the Bicentennial First Fleet re-enactment voyage from Plymouth, UK in 1988. She is now the last of the ships to remain on Sydney Harbour.

For more information on hiring the vessel, visit www.sydneytallships.com.au

La Morue en Fete, Binic, Brittany, France. (1st – 4th May 2008)

Every year since 1997, La Morue en Fete has presented a feast for lovers of old sailing ships and boats and with a taste for traditional seafaring music. Held in the small Breton town of Binic, once the principal morue (salt cod) port of France, the event showcases many vessels which have been lovingly restored by their owners and which are regularly sailed in the seas around France and England. The town itself is built around the ancient port, now a flourishing marina, and the event is held in the streets and cobbled lanes around the port. The 10th event last year attracted almost 50,000 visitors and it is expected that this year’s event will attract many more.

This year’s festival starts on Thursday 1st of May at 1700 with an arrival parade by old sailing vessels and restored fishing boats of all types  which will then be on view in the port. The following three days will be filled with events ranging from displays of long forgotten shipwrights skills, through to folk, Celtic rock and traditional concerts by Breton and visiting musicians and a grand fireworks display held in the port. As the reason for the festival is to remember the hard labours of the Breton fishermen who fished for cod in Newfoundland waters in the 1850s visitors will be able to sample ‘morue’ at one of the many food stalls crowding the quays of the port.

Owners of treasured old sailing ships and fishing boats who wish to attend with their vessels will be made most welcome and should make contact in advance as detailed below.

Further information is available at http://www.binic-la-morue-en-fete.com or contact peter.birnie@wanadoo.fr