National Historic Ships UK is pleased to announce four new organisations that have joined our course development partner Sea-Change Sailing Trust as delivery providers of our Traditional Seafarer Introductory Certificate.  The course is for newcomers who wish to gain an understanding of sailing on board traditionally rigged vessels.  These delivery providers offer a range of traditionally rigged vessels and locations to complete this exciting new course.

Sea-Change Sailing Trust operate the 2015 replica Spritsail Thames Sailing Barge Blue Mermaid from Maldon, Essex. Their sailing area is the tidal rivers and coastline of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent, including the River Thames and London.

Blyth Tall Ship operate the 36m Gaff Rigged Ketch Williams II from Blyth, Northumberland.  Built in Denmark in 1914, she is a trading ketch, with an exciting programme of voyages and events planned, including a voyage to Antarctica.

First Class Sailing operate the 1908 National Historic Fleet Gaff Cutter Golden Vanity from her home port of Shamrock Quay near Southampton which provides easy access to the Solent and some excellent cruising destinations along the South Coast.

Pioneer Sailing Trust, who are based at Brightlingsea on the River Colne, Essex, offer sailing experiences to youth & community groups, corporate events and private charters onboard Pioneer, a Gaff Ketch Essex Smack built in 1864.

Provident Sailing offer the very popular Gaff Ketch rigged Brixham Trawler Provident - which celebrates its centenary in 2024 - on unique sailing holidays in the Scottish Islands. There can be few more perfect locations for learning to sail a traditionally rigged vessel than the West Coast of Scotland.

To find out more about taking the course with one of these providers, please contact them directly to request details of schedules and cost.

If you are a UK-based historic vessel operator currently hosting training experiences and would like to sign up as a delivery provider of this course, please email info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk to express your interest.

Read more about the Traditional Seafarer course

Traditional Seafarer course providers