Twenty four deaf and hearing impaired students along with four aided communicators from around Ireland have set out on the adventure of a lifetime on a 6-day Sail Training voyage aboard the Tall Ship Pelican of London.
The voyage organised by Sail Training Ireland follows on from a successful one day “taster” voyage held in 2017 for students from the Holy Family School for the Deaf in Cabra. This taster resulted in a request from the school to expand the scope of the voyage to include young people from all over Ireland. As a result, schools and deaf organisations have nominated their pupils as trainees on the upcoming voyage. The voyage will leave Dublin Port and sail around the Isle of Man and the Irish Sea before returning to Dublin.
Participating in this voyage involves the “Trainees” becoming part of the working crew. This experience provides an excellent environment for personal and social development. It is not so much learning to sail as learning from the vessel, crewmates, the sea and perhaps most importantly from the person themselves as they push themselves beyond their comfort zone. It is a medium for education outside the classroom, a non-formal approach where the emphasis is on facilitating learning through experience. A trainee’s first voyage often proves to be a turning point in their lives.
“We are delighted that so many deaf and hearing-impaired students have taken up the challenge of a tall ship adventure” said Sail Training Ireland CEO Daragh Sheridan
It is hoped that this voyage will become an annual event.
