Queen Galadriel wins MCA/ASTO Sail Training vessel of the Year
‘Queen Galadriel’, the gaff rigged ketch operated by the Cirdan Sailing Trust, was presented with the MCA/ASTO award for Sail Training vessel of the Year at the annual UK Sail Training conference on 24th January 2020.
The award recognises vessels that are well run with regards to seamanship and safety, as well as running good Sail Training programmes for young people.
Queen Galadriel’s project ‘the wettest classroom’ saw groups of young people on the autistic spectrum sail around the UK in 8 legs. The young people reported raised self-confidence, increased self-esteem, a sense of responsibility and increased communication skills as a result of the voyage.
The UK Sail Training conference is an annual event organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) for sail training charities to network and share good practice.
The sail training sector in the UK takes 10,000 young people to sea each year, on more than 50 vessels. ASTO members include the Ocean Youth Trust South, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Tall Ships Youth Trust and the Marine Society and Sea Cadets.
