Price
£849
Nights
Six
Age range
16-25
Start port
Portsmouth
End port
Plymouth
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent Crew
Voyage code
EV035A
Bursary
Fully funded (bursary application required)
Voyage highlights
Want to take your sailing skills to the next level? Embark on a six-night Voyage of Empowerment from Portsmouth to Plymouth with Tall Ships Youth Trust.
This is a great opportunity to challenge yourself onboard one of our iconic 72ft Challenger yachts, while contemplating your aspirations, setting meaningful life goals and above all, having fun!
Sailing alongside like-minded individuals, you’ll develop transferrable skills, increase your confidence and build resilience, as well as making new friends and lifelong memories.
For this ‘Voyage of Empowerment’, you must:
- Have previously sailed on a voyage with Tall Ships Youth Trust, and;
- Apply for a bursary to access funding for this voyage (see Costs).
Not only can you use this voyage to tick off the residential section of your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, but you will also work towards achieving your RYA Competent Crew qualification.
The full voyage cost is £849, however we have received generous funding to support the further development of young people who have previously voyaged with us and would like to continue on their TSYT journey. Therefore, this voyage will be fully funded by our donors with your commitment to fundraise to support other young people to benefit from a voyage in the future. #payitforward #peoplelikeus
To access funding for this voyage, please apply for a bursary.
You’ll sail along the stunning Jurassic and South coasts, exploring some of the UK’s most beautiful bays and points in Hampshire, Dorset and Devon. Be sure to pack your camera as you may spot dolphins, seals and fin whales along the way.
Possible stopovers include Poole or Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, Weymouth, Brixham, Dartmouth and Salcombe before the voyage ends in Plymouth – AKA ‘Britain’s Ocean City’.
Life skills. Increased confidence. Independence. Resilience. Decision making. Lasting memories.
Throughout the week, you’ll experience steering a yacht, night sailing, offshore sailing, sail handling and ropework, as well as learning how to keep safe onboard.
We divide the crew into two teams (watches) – 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.
This voyage is a great opportunity to escape from it all, with plenty of time for quiet reflection and challenges to build your confidence and widen your sailing experience.
Each crew member will receive a personal assessment covering their leadership, teamwork and communication skills — a great addition to your CV!
The Skipper will determine the final route depending on weather and other variables.
Following your voyage with us, there’s a possibility you could be recommended by the Skipper to come back and volunteer as a Watch Assistant or Watch Leader for future Tall Ships Youth Trust voyages.
Meals onboard are included.
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).
During this voyage, you will work towards achieving your RYA Competent Crew qualification.
The RYA Competent Crew syllabus includes:
- Sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Fire precautions and fighting
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard
- Emergency equipment
- Manners and customs
- Rules of the ‘road’ (at sea)
- Dinghies
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.
