Price
£135 (after bursary discount)
Nights
Five
Age range
14-17
Start port
Portsmouth
End port
Ipswich
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent Crew
Voyage code
CF704
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
Want to take your sailing skills to the next level? Embark on a six-day Voyage of Empowerment from Portsmouth to Ipswich 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.
To join is on a TSYT ‘Voyage of Empowerment’, you should have some sailing experience or similar experience in other outdoor and adventure activities.
Not only can you use this voyage to tick off the residential section of your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, but you will work towards achieving your RYA Competent Crew qualification.
The full voyage cost is £655; however, we’ve received generous funding to support the further development of young people with previous outdoor learning experience, and can offer a bursary to cover 80% of the costs, significantly reducing the price to just £135.
In return, we’d appreciate your commitment to fundraise to enable other young people to benefit from a voyage in the future. #PayItForward. For fundraising support and guidance, please email: donate@tallships.org
You’ll sail through the Solent, one of the world’s most famous sailing waters and east along the South Coast.
There may be the opportunity to cross the channel and visit Dieppe or Boulogne Sur Mer. You would need to present a valid passport for this. If you don’t have a passport, please get in touch before booking.
En route to Ipswich, you may also stop over at Dover and Ramsgate on the south east coast.
Be sure to pack your camera as you may spot dolphins, seals and fin whales along the way.
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 deck duties 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.
All meals onboard are included.
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
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.
