By Neris Case, Guernsey Press – More than 300 children and disadvantaged adults have been time on the 18th century replica boats. Continue reading →
23 May 2011 – June sees the Set Sail Pilot Cutter Challenge take place in Guernsey for the second year running, on board two 45ft wooden hulled classic ships. This event has been organised by The Set Sail Trust, a local charity that supports local maritime activities.
The Set Sail Pilot Challenge will run over four evenings from 13-16 June. The Challenge is open to 8 business teams to compete, navigating a magnificent Bristol Cutter ship around a course against an opposing team. The ships visit Guernsey once a year so it is a unique opportunity. The winning team will be crowned the Set Sail Pilot Challengers 2011.
Up to 12 people per boat can take part in the challenge, crewing a ship for 2 hours with a professional Skipper and Mate. It promises to be an exciting journey on board replica 18th century ships, with modern cabins and safety equipment.
The Pilot Cutter week was set up to give schools and special needs groups the opportunity to sail these traditional ships in Guernsey waters. The Set Sail trust aims to increase participation in maritime activities for those who might normally be excluded for financial reasons, particularly through schools and clubs. The Guernsey History in Action group will also be on hand to provide a character-lead performance on board, giving the younger groups an insight into maritime life in Guernsey during that era.
Participants in this Challenge will also have the satisfaction of contributing to the Set Sail Trust’s fund raising efforts as a team place on board costs £1000. For this, teams of up to 12 will enjoy a friendly two hour contest followed by a post-sail supper at The Guernsey Yacht Club.
All proceeds raised during this year’s Pilot Cutters Week will be in support of the Guernsey Sailing Trust’s Community Windsurfing Project that aims to provide the opportunity for local teenagers to learn this sport.
Trustee Andreas Tautscher said “Last year the crews taking part had great fun, learning new skills and racing against one another to complete all the tasks before crossing the finishing line whilst at the same time making a valuable contribution to worthwhile causes.”
Each voyage will set off from the Inter Island Quay, with a professional and experienced skipper. Crew members will be provided with full safety briefings and will work under the supervision/direction of the Skipper as a team, to race the other ship. The skipper will teach the necessary skills of seamanship to those new to the water, as well as advise more experienced sailors how to get the most out of their boats and learn about the history of the Bristol Cutters. No previous sailing experience is required to make the voyage, although seasoned sailors are most welcome.
Organisations wishing to sail in the Pilot Cutter Week can download an application form by visiting this page.
The Set Sail Trust is delighted to announce a charity sailing event called the Ultimate Challenge. June 2011 will see the Ultimate Challenge take place between Poole and Guernsey, with teams sailing two Bristol Pilot Cutters, classic 45ft wooden hulled ships.
Up to 8 people can take part in the challenge, crewing a ship with a professional Skipper and Mate, starting in Poole on the weekend of 11/12 June. It promises to be an exciting journey on board replica 18th century ships, with modern cabins and safety equipment. As this is a fund-raising initiative to support local disadvantaged children, places on board the ships cost £400 per person. Berths for this memorable challenge are strictly limited. People can apply on an individual basis or form a crew made up of colleagues, family and friends.
Sponsorship is encouraged also. All proceeds raised during this year’s Pilot Cutters week will be in support of the Guernsey Sailing Trust’s Windsurfing Project that aims to provide the opportunity for local teenagers to learn this sport.
Trustee Andreas Tautscher said “Islanders can take part in this charity sailing challenge and make a real difference by helping raise funds to allow children the opportunity to learn to windsurf. The Ultimate Challenge will be a fantastic life experience and an amazing sailing adventure for any one taking part”.
On Saturday 11th June, teams will travel by Condor Ferries, overnight in Poole, then set sail across the English Channel from Poole at 0800 hours. Sunday, 12th June will see the ships arrive at approximately 2300 hours in Guernsey harbour.
Crew members will be provided with full safety briefings and will work under the supervision/direction of the Skipper as a team, to race the other ship. No previous sailing experience is required to make the voyage, although seasoned sailors are most welcome.
The ships’ arrival starts this year’s Pilot Cutters week.
Anyone wanting to join the Ultimate Challenge should email sh@long-port.com
Find out more about the Set Sail Trust ‘Ultimate Challenge’ here.
The ships Merlin and Polly Agatha are 45ft and 60ft with bowsprit respectively. The latest marine electronics and safety equipment have been cleverly integrated into each boat using traditional boatbuilding techniques and materials. The larch hulls and decks sit on English oak frames made from sustainable and renewable resources. They are safe, solid and capable of sailing anywhere, in any conditions. Copies of the survey reports, licences, insurance, and waivers in respect of these vessels are held on file by the Set Sail Trust and the Guernsey Harbour Authority.
The Set Sail Trust exists in Guernsey to support underprivileged members of the community who wish to join nautically themed activities. Learning about and taking part in nautical activities is a hugely rewarding experience. Participants can learn valuable skills that not only help them in their chosen pursuit but in everyday life. As these activities can be expensive, they are not easily available to all sectors of society.
Through structured funding programmes, the Set Sail Trust aims to increase participation by those who might normally be excluded for financial reasons, particularly through schools and clubs. Land-based sports and activities are well supported in Guernsey. The Trust would like to see equally high levels of support and participation for marine-based activities. To achieve this, schools and clubs need support.
There are financial constraints to be overcome and logistical issues to be addressed. The Set Sail Trust can help with these and help develop programmes that get young people involved in extremely rewarding pastimes.
The Trust also seeks to support and raise awareness of Guernsey’s nautical history, as Guernsey has a rich and varied nautical heritage and yet much of it is not widely appreciated.
Trustees include International Asset Monitor, Long Port, Deutsche Bank and The Partnership.
For further comment or information please contact The Partnership on 01481 700070.
The Boys’ Brigade through its established programme, encourages boys to experience new activities whilst continually challenging themselves.”
Steve England, Captain 2nd Boys Brigade Guernsey
The Set Sail Trust had secured the services of two Bristol Pilot Cutters – “Morwenna” and “Amelie Rose”- and the Trustees had invited local groups of young people (at no charge) for sailing trips where they would have the opportunity to gain hands on sailing experience and learn about the history of the vessels. The BB were successful in their application and secured places for 7 teens to make the trip 100 miles from Guernsey to Poole overa 15 hour crossing.
Malcolm Cleal, BB Officer in Charge of our group reported:-
“The day started out at 4am in the dark and drizzle. We made all haste to catch the tides off Alderney and ran straight into dense fog in the shipping lanes, which caused all manner of problems and was quite a concerning and tense time on board. After the sun came out we could all look back and see just how many large vessels we avoided. The wind then picked up to force 5.
The rest of the time on my boat was spent under full sail, which is quite impressive going along with the deck at a 30deg. lean and water coming over the side. At one stage when one of the boys was on the tiller, he managed to get the boat so far over that the boom went in the water! Impressive on such a big boat.
Because of the avoiding tactics used in the shipping lanes, my boat ended up about 10 miles off course and after spotting Portland Bill it’s very disconcerning to realise you still have another 6 hours just to get to the Sandbanks.
We finally caught up with the other boat at 10pm and all spent the night on it. It’s amazing how many can sleep on a boat that size. You couldn’t turn around without finding somebody asleep on what was, during the trip, a seat or in a cupboard.
We had the morning in Poole, where the lads were given a bit of free time and had a very pleasant trip back on the ferry in the afternoon.”
Just want to thank you and Set Sail for organising the sailing trip. We had a brilliant time, enjoyed by all the kids. The crew were informative and got on well with the kids and were interested in their condition and what they had to do to keep well. Many thank to all who helped to facilitate this.”
Anne Kinch, Children with Type 1 Diabetes
It was a great day out and the kids really seemed to enjoy themselves“
Gareth Rowson
