Boats we use
UK Sail Training Fleet
We only use boats from the UK Sail Training fleet which are members of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).
Variety of boats
The member organisations provide sail training voyages to over 10,000 young people a year and make up the UK Sail Training fleet which has a large variety of boats, from huge square-riggers to small yachts, from 100 year old gaff cutters to modern round-the-world racing yachts.
The common link to all of these is that you will be able to experience working, living and sailing together on an offshore adventure. You will need to take responsibility, communicate and work together to ensure a successful journey.
ASTO Criteria for membership
Members of ASTO are not-for-profit organisations based in the UK with the primary aim of youth development and/or working with adults with special needs. To become a member, organisations need to prove that they comply with the criteria, and will be inspected by ASTO.
- All boats adhere to Maritime and Coastguard Agency (executive agency of the Department for Transport) regulations. These regulations detail manning, material state of the vessel and equipment and specific operational requirements.
- ASTO members are encouraged to implement a voluntary Safety Management System that exceeds the current legal requirements for operating a small commercial vessel.
ASTO policies include:
- the safe recruitment of staff and/or volunteers, including Criminal Record Bureau checks
- good practice guidelines to ensure the safety and welfare of trainees at all times, on and off the water;
- the appropriate handling of concern, reports or allegations concerning trainees.
- the issuing of clear joining and leaving instructions;
- form CG 66 Voluntary Safety Identification Scheme held with the Coastguard for each vessel
- crew details, including next of kin, held ashore and a procedure to ensure these details are accurate before the vessel sails.
Here are a few of the many sailing organisations who are members of ASTO and available for you to use.
Offshore
Offshore began sailing with Essex Scouts almost 50 years ago. Today they are a Scouting District in their own right, extending the sailing experience beyond Scouting to Schools, Colleges, Youth groups and individuals nationwide.
Ocean Scout and Offshore Scout, their two Oyster 49 ketches, sail weekend cruises between April and October, while their mid-summer programme is built around longer voyages to European ports, including the annual Tall Ships races.
These cruises are ideal for Duke of Edinburgh Residential or Expedition candidates, as well as those seeking RYA Competent Crew or Watch Keeper certificates. The ketches sail with volunteer afterguard and each carries up to 11 trainees.
The sailing programme is kept as flexible as possible and any cruise can be extended or adjusted to meet a client’s exact needs. Based in Ipswich on the River Orwell, Ocean Scout and Offshore Scout are ideally placed to make landfall among the rivers and creeks of Essex, Suffolk and Kent, or far beyond the East Coast horizon.
For further information visit: www.offshore.org.uk
Cirdan Sailing Trust
Cirdan Sailing Trust provides young people, in particular those who are disadvantaged, with the opportunity to develop life skills through the challenge and adventure of life at sea, aboard three large sailing vessels – Duet, Faramir and Queen Galadriel.
Operating from various ports around the country the voyages vary in length and can be tailored to the needs of the group. Depending on the length of the voyage, RYA accreditation can be gained and a limited number voyages are designed to meet the criteria of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award.
For further information visit: www.cirdansailing.com
Excelsior Trust
Excelsior Trust offers the opportunity for motivation & training to young people. Since 1988 thousands have sailed and for many it has been a life-changing experience, it has developed their character, stamina and an understanding of life and, most importantly, it’s great fun.
Teachers, leaders, parents and authorities all agree on the value of Excelsior as a learning and growing environment.
For information visit: www.excelsiortrust.co.uk
Pioneer Sailing Trust
Originally built in 1864, the 70ft Essex smack Pioneer fell into decay after a life spent dredging oysters in the North Sea. An audacious restoration project by the Pioneer Sailing Trust recovered the wreck in 1998 and restored her.
Pioneer’s new life as a sail training vessel can take up to 16 people and is used as a vehicle to facilitate learning skills and exploring new and adventurous territory whilst in a unique environment.
The Trust has also maintained the boat building ethos by developing a specialist training facility at Harker’s Yard, Brightlingsea where young Apprentices learn boat-building skills and develop essential values needed to seek future employment.
Hundreds of young people benefit from their time at Pioneer Sailing Trust each year, whether on a sailing adventure, work experience in the boat yard, or an Apprenticeship.
The Trust is passionate about developing and supporting young people through education and new experiences.
For information visit: www.pioneerck18.org
Sea-Change Sailing Trust
Sea-Change Sailing Trust offers action centred learning to groups of young people and vulnerable adults, together with their leaders, aboard their own purpose-built Thames sailing barge ‘Blue Mermaid’.
Blue Mermaid entered commission in 2019. She is a replica of a Thames sailing barge of the same name that was built in 1930 but was lost to a mine in the Thames Estuary whilst under trade in WWII.
The Trust runs mainly 5-day voyages in East Anglian waters and has a returners scheme to enable selected young people to return as an individual for further sailing and youth mentoring. Blue Mermaid provides maritime heritage training for those seeking a career in the industry and is able to carry up to 110 tonnes of cargo under sail with trainees learning work related skills.
For information visit: www.seachangesailingtrust.org.uk
Ocean Youth Trust North – Changing lives, Inspiring futures
We take young people away from their everyday routine and inspire them to make positive changes to their lives through ‘Adventure under Sail’
Based in North Shields and sailing mainly from East Coast ports, including Ipswich and Hull, on our 20m ketch, James Cook, and from North Shields on our Rival 34 Lene Sono, OYT North is an RYA Training Centre and a Duke of Edinburgh Award Approved Activity Provider.
Our mid-summer programme offers longer expedition voyages with destinations including Scotland, Irish Sea or European ports, often participating in the Tall Ships Races. The Trust’s voyages focus on the personal development of young people; it also offers opportunities for them to return as volunteers and runs a Cadetship Programme for those who seek a career in the maritime industry.
For information visit: www.oytnorth.org.uk
