To work at sea requires a mix of interpersonal and technical knowledge. It’s all well and good knowing how to steer a boat, raise a sail or navigate the open water, but without the communication, teamwork and ability to muck in for the common good, you’ll get nowhere.
The sixteen children that took part in our summer voyage in collaboration with Tall Ships Youth Trust (TYST) know this all too well. The commitment, courage and willingness to learn they showed over the course of their journey made us all very proud.
Our goal with these subsidised trips was to impart valuable life skills and provide an experience these young people would never forget. We hope the time they spent on board the iconic 72-ft Challenger Yacht will stay with them for years to come, and they can use it as a springboard as they continue their education and find their chosen path into adulthood.
Our first cohort, made up of children aged between 12-15, set sail from Whitehaven in early August. Over the course of six challenging days, they eventually docked in Greenock, where our team of 16-25 year olds then took charge. They were on the water for a week, traversing the Scottish coastline en route to Peterhead.
Both teams had to contest harsh conditions, with high winds and rain creating a challenging environment. Sea sickness and living in close quarters also presented our sailors with strife, but not only did they survive, but they thrived, pulling together as a team.
All of our sailors have now earned their RYA certificate. Three of the young people will continue their RYA training with TSYT as part of its volunteer development programme.
This is not normally offered to children under the age of 15, however, if someone shows exceptional potential and shines TSYT will make an exception. One of the chosen three is just 12 years old. They will now develop and train as a watch leader to help on future youth voyages.
Clare Scherer, from the Naval Children’s Charity, said: “We were delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to our young people. The combination of the extraordinary experience onboard the iconic Challenger yacht, learning to sail and gaining their RYA certificate, combined with meeting and bonding with other young people from Naval families with shared experiences, will no doubt enhance their lives.
“We hope that this experience will give them insight into the opportunities and experiences out there in the world for them and we are proud to have been able to offer this life chance to our Naval children”.
James Hudson, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at TSYT, said: “We were thrilled to partner with NCC for these voyages, which enabled the young people to push themselves out of their comfort zones and experience new and exciting challenges.
“Working together onboard, the two youth crews took part in all activities and pulled together to overcome shared challenges, such as preparing to sail in bad weather and living in close quarters. This experience enabled them to develop transferable life skills such as communication, resilience and teamwork.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming further young people from the charity over the coming years as we build our partnership.”
