The Waterford Sail Training Tall Ship Bursary scheme is currently in full flow under the overall administration of Sail Training Ireland, with seventeen young people, including fourteen from Waterford, sailing into the Port of Waterford on Friday July 29th, some of them aboard local vessel Brian Ború (the only gaff-rigged Sail Training Vessel in Ireland) skippered by local Tall Ship Captain Liam Keating. The Naval Yacht Creidne will also be there on her first voyage for non-naval trainees since 2009/2010, while the Naval Yacht Tailte will be sailing in company with the other two, her crew including five young Naval Reservists (four from Waterford) skippered by Waterford Councillor Eddie Mulligan.
In all, a total of 22 young people have been on the three vessels for a six day voyage from Cork to Waterford. The Waterford Sail Training Bursary Scheme was established early in 2016 in partnership with Port of Waterford, Waterford Council, and Waterford Area Partnership to provide access to Sail Training voyages on tall ships and large sailing vessels for young people from the region.
Fair winds and spinnaker set for trainees aboard Creidne
The first two 6-day voyages took place in May and June with young people aged 16-30 years, on board the Waterford based Brian Ború. Other trainees sailed on board the Dutch Tall Ship Morgenster, which visited the city on Friday 17th of June with a total of 32 young people from all over Ireland including 4 trainees from Waterford on board during a 19 day voyage, finishing in the Netherlands. This current voyage began last Sunday in Port of Cork and finishes on Friday 29th of June in Waterford, followed by a presentation of certificates in City Hall by the Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Adam Wyse.
The Dutch Tall Ship Morgenster has played a key role in the success of the Waterford Sail Training Bursary scheme
