Traditional Boats & Tall Ships Magazine

Pegasus - new Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter

Pegasus, a new Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter built by the Bristol Classic Boat Company will be launched on Thursday 22nd May at 12.30 by the journalist and broadcaster Libby Purves.  The launch will be a high profile event with a very public spectacle at the Redcliffe Wharf in Bristol and music provided by folk music star Phil Beer of Show of Hands.

This boat, designed by Ed Burnett, has been built in order to provide offshore sailing opportunities for the beneficiaries of The Island Trust, a charity which offers sailing experiences to children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. In order to help raise funds for this she is also available for charter to the general public.

Information on The Island Trust can be found at www.theislandtrust.org.uk, or to charter Pegasus visit www.islandcutter.co.uk

Ondeck signs partnership with Dubarry

Ondeck, the UK's fastest growing sail charter company and power and sailing school, has secured a strategic partnership with leading marine footwear specialist Dubarry of Ireland.  As part of the deal, Dubarry of Ireland will become the official technical supplier to Ondeck, providing both skippers and crew with deck shoes and sailing boots. 

The deal will also see Dubarry providing support for a number of Ondeck's sailing regattas, offering up a number of its shoes and boots for prizes.  In return, Ondeck will provide Dubarry with branding across its fleet of boats in the UK, Antigua and Portugal. 

Commenting on the partnership, Sam Sainsbury, Commercial Manager at Ondeck said: "We are delighted to have signed this partnership agreement with Dubarry.  Their range of marine footwear is extremely well regarded in the industry, providing exceptional technical performance and comfort." 

James Pound, UK Sales Manager for Marine at Dubarry of Ireland added: "We have been following Ondeck since its launch in 2004 and have been impressed by its rapid growth to-date.  We are very much looking forward to working with Ondeck and developing a mutually beneficial, long-term partnership." 

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.

Traditional Boats & Tall Ships Magazine sets sail again

We are pleased to announce that Traditional Boats & Tall Ships will be returning to the newsstands next week with what will be the 50th issue.

The new look magazine is produced in a coffee table style format and features content that focuses on maritime history, art, renovation & restoration, tall ships, barge & smack news, traditional boats and towns around Britain that have significant maritime history.

Editorial highlights include: an investigation into the plight of The City of Adelaide, currently languishing in Scotland and explores the various efforts afoot to try to preserve and save her. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who has lent his support to plans in the past to save the vessel, has written the foreword to this feature. There are features on french schooner, La Belle Poule as well as look ahead to this year's Tall Ship Races. In the traditional boats arena, Catherine de Bont continues her popular Barge & Smack News and Robert Simper writes about American Skipjacks. The cover shot was taken by French photographer, Alain Guillou.

David Tickner, Editor-in-Chief of Wild Publishing Limited, is looking forward to the magazine’s return, “Since we acquired this title last year, I have been overwhelmed by the level of reader support it has. I am pleased that we have been able to have time to talk to many of the readers about what they liked and disliked and take many of their comments and suggestions on board prior to the magazine’s relaunch.”

The magazine will continue to be published alternate monthly and is priced £3.65. It will be available in branches of Borders and selected Independent newsagents in the UK as well as having an international distribution.

If you can't find the magazine locally to you, then just ask your newsagent to order the title in.

Situations Vacant: Advertisement Sales Manager

The first edition of the re-launched Traditional Boats & Tall Ships Magazine is out at the end of this month. As part of our regeneration plan we have a current vacancy for either a full or part time advertising sales manager to work with the editorial team to build up advertising sales revenues on the magazine.

Ideally suited for somebody with a love of the sea and sail would be a preference as would a degree of knowledge of the maritime industry. If you are interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail, please email: tallship@wildpublishing.com - (Immediate Start)

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.

Stocking Traditional Boats & Tall Ships Magazine

  As we approach the re-launch, we are keen to ensure that the title is made available in as many newsagents as possible around the UK and Overseas.

So if you were not able to find us before, just ask your local newsagent to order us in. It is literally as simple as just asking!!

The first re-launched edition is out on March 27th.

Support the Electric Sailing Project

Looking at the concept drawings for the E.S.P. catamaran (www.designnobis.com) you could be forgiven for thinking you were looking at sketches for a new jet fighter in Star Wars. It is state of the art and so it should be - after all it is planned to be the first 100% emission free vessel to be built.

The Electric Sailing Project is looking for the support, participation and help of manufacturers, organizations, and individuals. They will design and build a revolutionary 70 feet ocean going catamaran which will become a floating exhibition of modern day enviro pro technologies "working together". Once afloat, the E.S.P. Catamaran will be 100% emissions free.

It will use Electric Motors for propulsion. Hydrogen on demand will be made from salt water to feed Fuel Cells creating electricity. Hulls, decks and sails will be designed to function as solar collectors. also wind and tow generators will be generating electricity from air and water. No fossil fuel for propulsion or generating electricity will ever be needed.

It is great to see a project that not only pushes the boundaries in yacht design but also could be creating the vessel of the future. We wish them the very best of luck and keep you posted on how things develop.

To register your support or for more information visit www.theelectricsailingproject.org

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