|
WHAT IS SAIL TRAINING?
For years, fathers sent their sons to sea to build character and learn responsibility. Today,
anyone can reap the rewards of sail training... whether you're 15 or 80, male or female, a doctor, nurse, housewife, or a
student.
WHO CAN CREW ON A TALL SHIP?
Anyone! You need not have experience.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
It
depends. On most ships, you will pay a voyage fee. On others, you can volunteer during the year helping with the maintance
of the ship and sail for free. Once you become more experienced, you may apply for a volunteer boson, deckhand, watch leader,
or cook's mate position and sail for free or a reduced rate.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Expect to get very little sleep,
work harder than you ever have before, and make life time friends and have the best time of your life!
CAN I GO IF
I HAVE A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?
Absolutely! There are two ships designed for those who have physical limitations. They are
Lord Nelson and Tenacious (you can find info on the links page). Both of these are run by the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST).
They have special lifts to allow those in wheel chairs to work aloft, a talking compass for the visually impaired, and many,
many more features. There is a doctor on board at all times. You do as much as you feel comfortable with and will be assigned
an able bodied "buddy" to work with you.
WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE ON BOARD?
You will be divided into "watches."
(usually three watches of about 10 or so people). You will follow the on-duty/sleeping/eating schedule of your watch mates.
While the schedule varies depending on the ship, here is a sample:
The day generally begins for everyone at 8am. You'll
have a hearty breakfast, followed by "happy hour." No bloody mary's here-- you will clean the ship until the mate is "happy!"
You may then be on "watch" for four hours. You will be assigned to be a lookout, helmsman, runner, or idler. You may be sent
aloft (don't worry, this is usually optional) or you may help raise the sails from the deck. Then it's lunchtime! You may
have the next four hours off... my advice... take a nap! It's time to eat again.. and back on duty for watch. Then off to
bed.
WHAT'S IT LIKE GOING ALOFT? IS IT SCARY?
Going aloft isn't for everyone, but you certainly should try it
at least once. It is my favorite part of tall ship sailing.
Be sure you have a good safety harness (usually provided by
the ship) and make sure it fits snug. I have my own harness-- it is a custom made full body harness similar to the one used
by the STA (Sail Training Association) in the UK. I don't feel waist harnesses are safe. If you fall, they could break your
back and crush your inner organs. I also don't like shoulder harnesses, because they can crush your ribs, or, you could slip
out of them. Climbing harnesses (similar to what the rock climbers use) that go around your legs and waist are better-- a
specially made full body harness, in my opinion, is the best.
HOW DO YOU CLIMB?
You generally don't "clip in"
until you go out on the yards. It's as easy as climbing a ladder at home. Keep three points of contact on the shrouds at all
times. Always climb on the "weather side" so the wind blows you towards the shrouds not off of them. If you're going out on
the yards, always call out your intentions to the others already there so you don't bounce them off the footropes. "Laying
on starboard" or "Laying on port."
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR ME?
Yes! The most important thing I learned is to
take a nap whenever you're off duty. Although you will be so excited and want to see everything that is going on, if you don't
get the proper rest, you'll be dragging by the end of the voyage.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Click on the packing
list for suggested items.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
The first thing I would suggest is that you purchase "The Bible" of Sail Training. It's a book by the American Sail Training
Association (ASTA) which lists hundreds of tall ships around the world. Each ship has its own page with a photo, the size
and description of the vessel, who can sail, how much it costs to sail, the website (if it has one) where it sails, and contact
information.
The book is called, "Sail Tall Ships!" and is updated every year. You can purchase a copy on Amazon.com or directly
from ASTA http://www.tallships.sailtraining.org
Depending on your financial situation, I would recommend booking a week sail as a trainee on a reputable sail training
ship. You will have to pay your transportation over to the ship's anchorage as well as a fee for the week. A week is a good
starting point, because its long enough to give you a "feel" for sailing, but not too long if you find out you're miserable.
The two best ships, in my opinion, for sail training have been sold and are no longer available for this purpose (STS
Sir Winston Churchill and STS Malcom Miller.) Another one that was sold which I liked was HMS Rose. The Rose is currently
making a movie.. but rumour has it that she'll be returned to a sail training ship after filming is completed.
However...
some others you might consider are:
Prince William (UK)
Stavros S Niarchos (UK) currently sailing the Carribean
Endeavour (Australia) currently
sailing in Europe
Lord Nelson (UK)
Tenacious (UK)
Amistad (USA)
Bounty (USA)
Lady Washington (USA) (Currently
filming a movie)
The above is by no means a complete list. These are only some of the very fine programs available. I hope forum members
will add their suggestions and experiences.
I would not recommend the large Russian ships for your first time as you will not get to do much. They are cadet merchant
training ships-- and the cadets will do most of the sailing. Once you've sailed elsewhere.. the Russian ships are fun to do...
but again, you will not be allowed to do very much. Be careful too, that you find a Sail Training ship, and not a "tall ship
cruiseline." The Windjammer Barefoot cruises and Maine Windjammers come under this "touristy" type program.
You can also get yourself an internship. Check with ASTA to find out what's available.
An option some people choose is to volunteer doing maintance on a tall ship, and then you get to sail for free. Some
ships where this is available are:
Gazela (Philadelphia PA)
Elissa (Galviston TX)
Niagara (Erie PA)
Try a foreign ship as you'll be immersed in their culture.
Be sure to come to the Go Jabber Training Forum http://www.gojabber.com because not only can we answer any of your questions and concerns.. but we also post sailing schedules, internship
opportunities and crew availabilities. We can tell you what to pack and what to expect.
If you find you love tall ship sailing, you can work your way up the chain by first being a paying trainee, then becoming
volunteer crew (watch leader, assistant engineer, deckhand) and finally when you have the knowledge and experience, you can
get yourself a paid position. Just know that there's not much money in professional tall ship sailing. You'll get paid low
wages for very hard work and long hours... but you'll get to see the world and be paid to do what you love.
Do you have a question you'd like answered here? Please e-mail me.
Ask your question here
|
