Thanks to Suzanne and Alan Whitewood for this update from the Southampton Boat Show. Ed
Often seen sailing off the Island’s shores is the Tall Ship Stavros S. Niarchos which belongs to the Tall Ships Youth Trust, which is a registered charity, based in Portsmouth. The ship is used for Tall Ship Adventures.
Over the years, over 100,000 trainees have gone to sea at the rate of some 3,000 each year under the banner of the Tall Ships Youth Trust.
Islanders benefit
Numbers of Islanders have taken up the challenge and although usually young people form the crew on board anyone from 12 years to 80 years is welcomed. 70% of the young people are disadvantaged or disabled.
Very often a placement on board for a voyage will count towards the residential section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
Whilst on board crew members form three Watches, Red, White and Blue. These are split between the crew complement of 48. Each Watch duty is for four hours duration. All the crew must be able to deal with the nine miles of rope on board.
All aboard
Recently Stavros S. Niarchos a 60m square rigged brig, was moored off Solent Park, Southampton in conjunction with the PSP Southampton Boat Show and members of the public were welcomed aboard.
Prior to the arrival of Stavros S. Niarchos Olympians representing water sports performed the opening ceremony of the Show.
In fact it was record breaking Ben Ainslie (4 Gold, 1 Silver) who was chosen to cut the ribbon and open the Boat Show staged in and around Mayflower Park.
After the opening ceremony Frank Dixie, Managing Director of PSP, said his company would be continuing their support for at least another two years, following on from five years as sponsors.
Jesting with Jenson
Other well known sports people were at the show as well as the Olympians. Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One World Champion, was in attendance with Eddie Jordan.
In launching the new Sunseeker Predator 40 they made a witty and entertaining pairing. Having praised Jenson’s race win in Belgium, Eddie posed the question “Do you have a team mate for the next season…..?”
Formula One fans can guess the answer!
Image: © Suzanne and Alan Whitewood
