By Neris Case, Guernsey Press – More than 300 children and disadvantaged adults have been time on the 18th century replica boats.
It is the second year the Set Sail Trust has hired the two 45ft vessels for six days to take groups sailing.
“We want to give those who don’t get the opportunity to get excited about sailing and Guernsey’s nautical history” Set Sail trustee Tony Tostevin said. The groups come from three of the island’s primary schools, special needs schools and mental and physical health groups.
The trust also paid for the flights for a group from St Anne’s School in Alderney so they could have a go.
A group of 30 Castel Primary School pupils yesterday had the chance to haul sails, use the tiller and navigate out to Sark on a two-hour jaunt. Justin Maynard, 10, had looked forward to the trip. ‘ I was on the trip last year and it was very good. I am quite excited, he said, before boarding.
The skipper of Merlin, Paul Whitehead said that he was delighted to be involved in the project. ‘The kids have been great – some of them have been effervescent with excitement after sailing.’ He added that many of the trips so far had been accompanied by pods of dolphins – which just added to the thrill of the voyage. On Sunday, six members of the 2nd Guernsey Boys Brigade will be helping the crew sail the boats back to Poole – with return travel funded by the trust.
The Set Sail trust is backed by Deutsche Bank, the Long Port Group, International Asset Monitor and The Partnership Agency.
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