Sailing awards and tall ships 

Ewan McComb and Rudi Sommerville (both 15 years old) accepted their awards from the Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Sonia Copeland following a sumptuous buffet, speeches and a very entertaining video aboard the Tall Ship ‘Maybe’ on which the training and voyages took place.

Ewan completed the trainee Crew Experience from 24-26 April 2017 and Rudi achieved the Youth Exchanges Award, specifically Sea Change – a youth exchange with 53 other young people from Ireland and the UK from 24 July to 3 September 2017.

The awards are made up of competences to be achieved in the Erasmus and Youth Pass Certificate, including ‘Communication’, Mathematical and Basic Science and Technology, Digital Technology, Learning to Learn, Social and Civic Skills and Cultural Awareness.

The Tall ships programme is organised by ‘Maybe Sailing’ Youth Initiative in association with Belfast City Council.

On receiving his award, Rudi said, ‘This was one of the best experiences of my life and I would do it again a hundred times over.  From the moment you board the ship you are responsible as part of the team for cooking cleaning and sailing.  Nothing happens unless the team pulls together!’

Both young men are also volunteers with Belfast Lough Sailability (BLS) where they have also gained many of the skills useful to participating in the Tall Ships Programme.

Paul Bunting, Chair of Belfast Lough Sailability said; “We are delighted that some our young volunteers have been given this unique opportunity to participate in the Tall Ships Programme and experience life on deck with other young people.

“I am confident that the skill set achieved in their time with BLS has been developed and enriched by this wonderful experience.”

For further information on BLS contact:
Belfast Lough Sailability
Carrickfergus Marina
3 Quayside Carrickfergus
Co Antrim BT38 8BJ
Tel 07599 689280

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