Price
£890
Nights
Six
Age range
14-25
Start port
Portsmouth
End port
Portsmouth
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent Crew
Voyage code
CF811
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
Expand your skill set at sea on a week-long Voyage of Empowerment in the waterfront city of Portsmouth.
Our Voyages of Empowerment are designed as the second stage of TSYT’s three-voyage programme, building on the entry-level skills learnt on a Voyage of Exploration.
These voyages support young people to develop resilience, a positive attitude towards challenge, greater independence, and an individual understanding of how they function within a team.
As you explore the south coast of England, you’ll be able to spend time reflecting on your aspirations, set meaningful goals towards them, and develop tangible life and employability skills, which will support you on your journey into adulthood.
For this reason, this Voyage of Empowerment may not be suitable for young people without prior voyaging or residential outdoor learning experience.
You use this voyage to complete your RYA Competent Crew certificate, and the residential section of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
You’ll sail through the Solent and then along the stunning south coast. You may spot dolphins along the way. As an Empowerment voyage, your experiences will take on longer passages, overnight voyaging and challenging sailing.
Likely stopovers may include Cowes or Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, and Lymington, Poole or Weymouth along the coast.
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 to build your awareness and skills around taking action to protect our ocean environment.
Life skills. Increased Independence. Decision making. Lasting memories.
For those who have not sailed with us before, you’ll experience life in a watch system, two teams 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.
Throughout the week, you’ll develop your sailing skills to the next level through extended passages, offshore sailing and taking more responsibility with your team. As part of your Empowerment experience, you’ll also take time to consider your aspirations, set goals and work towards them each day.
Each of our voyages engage with our ocean environment, taking part in activities building understanding around our oceans and how to positively impact on our environment and our communities.
Each crew member will receive a personal assessment covering their leadership, teamwork and communication skills — a great addition to your CV!
The full voyage cost is £890; however, we have bursaries available to help support anyone who might need a little extra financial support to join this voyage. All thanks to generous funding aimed at supporting the ongoing development of young people.
If you need support, we encourage you to apply and see if you qualify.
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 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 Leader or Youth Mentor for future Tall Ships Youth Trust voyages. If you’re interested in this pathway, talk to your skipper when you get onboard as well.
Meals onboard are included.
