Price
£745
Nights
Five
Age range
14-25
Start port
Portsmouth
End port
Portsmouth
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent Crew
Voyage code
CF761
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
Want to take your sailing skills to the next level? Embark on a six-day Voyage of Empowerment starting and finishing in the waterfront city of Portsmouth.
If you’ve sailed with us before or you have alternative active and/or residential outdoor learning experience, this is a great opportunity to challenge yourself on board one of our renowned 72ft Challenger yachts.
As you explore the south coast of England, you’ll be able to spend time considering your goals, set meaningful steps towards them, and develop tangible life and employability skills, which will support you on your journey into adulthood.
Our Voyages of Empowerment are designed as the second stage of TSYT’s three-voyage programme, building on the entry-level skills learnt on a Voyage of Exploration.
These voyages support young people to develop resilience, a positive attitude towards challenge, greater independence, and an individual understanding of how they function within a team.
For this reason, this Voyage of Empowerment may not be suitable for young people without prior voyaging or residential outdoor learning experience.
Not only can you use this voyage to complete the residential section of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award if this applies to you, but you can also work to achieve your RYA Competent Crew certificate.
You’ll sail through the Solent and then along the stunning south coast. You may spot dolphins along the way. Likely stopovers may include Cowes or Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, and Lymington, Poole or Weymouth along the coast.
Bring something to record your ideas and reflections in (this can be a digital device) and be prepared to get involved in co-creating an ocean-based sustainability project to build your awareness and skills around taking action to protect our ocean environment.
New skills. Increased confidence. New friendships. Lasting memories.
Over the course of your voyage, you’ll learn about and practice sailing essentials including steering the yacht as well as sail handling, ropework and how to keep safe on board. If conditions are suitable, you may also get to do some night sailing.
For those who have not sailed with us before, you’ll experience life in a watch system, two teams traditionally known as Port and Starboard. In your watches, you’ll take it in turns to be involved in all aspects of sailing the Challenger, from looking after her to cooking and cleaning.
Each crew member will receive a personal assessment covering their leadership, teamwork and communication skills – a great addition to your CV.
During this voyage, you will work towards achieving your RYA Competent Crew certificate.
The RYA Competent Crew syllabus includes:
- Sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Fire precautions and safety
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard
- Emergency equipment
- Manners and customs
- Rules of the ‘road’ (at sea)
- Dinghies
The cost of your RYA Competent Crew certificate is included in the price.
RYA logbooks are available for purchase onboard at a cost of £6 (Skippers are only able to take cash for this).
All voyages of four nights or more qualify for the residential section of the DofE Gold Award.
Please let our Reservations Team know before sailing if you want to use the voyage for this.
The Skipper will determine the final route depending on weather and other variables.
Your Skipper can also recommend you for our volunteer crew training programme, if they feel you have the skills and attributes that we’re looking for. You can speak to your TSYT crew if this is something you’d be interested in and you’d like to find out more.
All meals on board are included.
