We’re always looking for volunteers to join our Volunteer Support Groups – you only need to find a few hours a month to get involved – and you’ll be joining a wonderful group of enthusiastic supporters.

Volunteering on our vessels is an equally rewarding experience – and allows you to pass on your knowledge and skills to others.

There are lots of ways to get involved:-

Brig – Volunteer Third Officers

Do you hold a Deck OOW Certificate and would like to become a member of our Volunteer Crew? Please email vol.crew@tallships.org for further information.

Brig – Volunteer Assistant Engineers

Do you hold an Engineer OOW Certificate and would like to become a member of our Volunteer Crew? Please email vol.crew@tallships.org for further information.

Challengers/Cat – Volunteer Skipper/Mate

If you hold commercial qualifications that correspond with the MCA (Maritime Coastguard Agency) criteria for the positions of Skipper or Mate and would like to sail as a volunteer in that capacity please ring our Fleet Operations Manager John Farndell on 023 9283 2055 or email him at john.farndell@tallships.org

All Other Volunteer Crew Positions

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer Watch Leader, Deckhand or perhaps a Cook? Just follow these simple steps:

1. 1. Join a voyage on the Brig for 5+ nights or on the Challengers/Cat for 4+ nights.
   2. Let the Captain/Skipper and your Watch Leader know that you are interested in becoming a member of the Volunteer Crew when you join the vessel
   3. Then demonstrate to them what you’re capable of on board!
   4. If you receive a Volunteer Crew Recommend at the end of your voyage, you’ll be notified by Head Office and sent a Volunteer Crew Application Pack
   5. Once all of the paperwork is completed you’ll be able to apply for your first voyage as Volunteer Crew!

All Vessels – Volunteer Youth Mentors

On all our youth voyages we have a Youth Mentor on board as part of our crew whose responsibility is the well being of all the young people during the voyage. This can be a very rewarding position as you are in a unique situation in supporting the Permanent Crew, Volunteer Crew and Voyage Crew as they develop during the voyage.

To be a Youth Mentor you will need the following qualifications and experience:-

• A National or Vocational qualification in youth work, teaching, social work or other relevant qualifications in a related field
• A minimum of 2 years front line experience working with young people
• A current, working knowledge of the safeguarding and other relevant legislation

Youth Mentors will need the written recommendation of the Youth Development and Training Manager and will need to complete a Volunteer Crew Application Pack including enhanced CRB and references. Individuals will only be eligible after completion of the Tall Ships Induction Training Programme with a visit to the Brig or Challenger Yacht. If you have the appropriate qualifications and experience and are interested in becoming a Youth Mentor please ring our Youth Development and Training Manager Chas Cowell on 023 92832 055 or email him at chas.cowell@tallships.org