Price
£891
Nights
Six
Age range
14-25
Start port
Swansea
End port
Plymouth
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent Crew
Voyage code
EV044
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
Join Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) and expand your skillset at sea on a six-night Voyage of Empowerment from Swansea to Plymouth.
If you’ve sailed with us before or you have a different kind of active and residential outdoor learning experience, this is a great opportunity to challenge yourself on board one of our iconic 72ft Challenger yachts.
As you explore West and South England as well as the Pembrokeshire coast, you’ll be able to spend time reflecting on your aspirations, setting meaningful goals towards them, and develop tangible life and employability skills which will support you on your journey into adulthood.
Our Empowerment Voyages are designed as the second stage of TSYT’s three-voyage programme, building on the entry-level skills learnt on an Exploration Voyage.
These voyages support young people to develop resilience, a positive attitude towards challenge, greater independence, mental toughness, decision-making ability, self-reliance, and an individual understanding of how they function within a team.
For this reason, this Empowerment Voyage may not be suitable for young people with no previous voyaging or residential outdoor learning experience.
Not only can you use this voyage to complete the residential section of your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, but you will also work towards achieving your RYA Competent Crew qualification.
Setting off from Swansea, you’ll get the chance to explore the south coast of Wales, sailing out of the Bristol Channel to Lundy for an island anchorage before heading on towards Lands’ End and onto Plymouth. Possible stopovers on this voyage include Milford Haven, Lundy, Falmouth, or Fowey.
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 during your visit to Lundy to build your awareness and skills around taking action to protect our ocean environment.
Be sure to bring a camera as you may spot dolphins, seals, and fin whales along the way.
Life skills. Increased confidence. Independence. Resilience. Decision-making abilities. Lasting memories.
Throughout the week, you’ll experience plenty of opportunities to steer the yacht and enjoy some night and offshore sailing, as well as building proficiency sail handling, ropework and onboard safety.
We divide the crew into two teams (watches). In your watches, you’ll get involved in all aspects of sailing the Challenger, from deck duties to cooking and cleaning.
This voyage is a great way to explore new places, with plenty of time to reflect on your personal development opportunities. There will also be plenty of challenges to build your confidence and deepen your sailing experience along the way.
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 fighting
- 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 the weather and other variables.
If you share our values and are keen to do more, you may be able to support our vital work further by joining the TSYT Volunteer Crew.
Your Skipper may recommend you to join future voyages or join our volunteer training programme if they feel you have the skills and attributes that we’re looking for.
All meals on board are included.
