The training programs sailing the tall ships – One & All (5 days) or The Enterprize (4 days) is designed to challenge the recipients in ways they would not experience ashore. From the moment they set foot on board their life changes quite dramatically in a number of ways

During their first three days on board the trainees will learn the many tasks involved in safely sailing a square rigged ship. On the final two days, although keeping a watchful eye, the crew will step back and allow the trainees to sail the vessel home themselves.

The following are some of the things that will happen and tasks they will undertake

• Just after the trainees board the vessel their mobile phones will be removed. They will not see them again until the vessel docks at voyage end.
• Next they are divided into 3 watches Port Starboard and Middle. For the rest of their time on board they will work in their watches under the guidance of an Officer and watch leader, 4 hours on and 4 hours off, 24 hours a day.
• They are allocated a small locker for their possessions and a bunk they will share on rotation with two members of the other two watches.
• Depending on the sea conditions one of the first challenges the trainees will face is that of moving around on the rolling, sometimes violently bucking, ship. Solid spray at times flooding the decks can make this task even more difficult
• Learning the names of the many ropes, lines and sails on the vessel is quite a challenge on its own but one the trainees are required to do to be able to operate the ship
• The sails are far more powerful than any one individual could control. As a result it is imperative that the trainees learn to work together in a team obeying orders precisely when given. If they fail to do this they will be unable to harness the power of the wind and there will be mayhem.
• Another challenge the trainees will face is that of climbing the rigging to reef and unfurl the sails. This involves walking out on foot ropes strung beneath the moving spars above the ocean swirling past some 80 feet below.
• Learning to keep the vessel tidy, coiling lines ready for use and putting everything in its place, is for many young people quite a challenge but something that must be done to operate the vessel safely.
• Helming the vessel, learning to read a chart, navigating, making a judgement on which sails to set to match the wind conditions, are all skills the trainees learn