Sailing is more than fun (although we expect there to be plenty of that!). It is in addition, an excellent way in which young people can develop interpersonal and communication skills; learning the need to work as a group with all the political and diplomatic connotations that group activities require.

A ship such as Albatros depends on individuals being able to work together both as a collective and as individuals on tasks from hoisting sails to washing up! As such she offers an ideal location for young people to team the many skills required to safely managing a sailing ship in addition to the life skills suggested above.

Where Albatros differs from the many dinghy based sailing courses available to schools etc, is that she is a real ship with a long and active history as opposed to a fibre glass toy. The groups who sail on her will be together twenty-four hours a day in a relatively confined area. For many this will be a challenge in itself living as we do in a very individualistic society.

The details....

Sail training trips on Albatros are self-catering and are available to 15 -18 year olds in groups of up to fifteen individuals. The trips will take place from Monday to Friday with Albatros leaving from and returning to Wells and sailing either South or North depending on the tides and wind at the time of departure.
For groups that wish to stay aboard seven days or longer there is the option of sailing to the continent calling at say Belgium or the Netherlands.

Sleeping facilities onboard consist of four cabins, 1 two berth cabin and 3 three berth cabins. An additional four can be accommodated in the conference room and remember, bring your own sleeping bag!

And...

For those of you who are keen to gain RYA accreditation or to develop specific skills, Albatros offers a number of options. Ton, her captain can offer you two vital attributes, a vast wealth of experience at sea in all conditions and proven teaching ability following ten years lecturing in Amsterdam. You can utilise his skills during practical navigation courses; whilst amassing mileage for your Coastal Skipper course or in coming to terms with negotiating a ship around busy ports whilst learning the implications of meteorological information and navigational warnings.