Sponsors
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors
About the Trust
The Sea-Change Sailing Trust provides residential opportunities for young people and vulnerable adults to learn and develop in a unique environment. By living and working together aboard a traditional sailing vessel they participate in a wide range of life skills and are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their contribution and group decisions.
The Sea-Change Sailing Trust offers a graduated set of programmes from entry level tasters to extended residential periods with accreditation. The charity is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training and Sailability Foundation centre, and Duke of Edinburgh Award Approved Activity Centre.
The vessels
The Sea-Change Sailing Trust has recently launched its own vessel Blue Mermaid, a replica of an original steel barge of the same name. She is an engineless Thames sailing barge with the ability to carry cargo within the lower Thames Estuary. Built for group sails, she maintains the traditional rigging and decking of a sea-going Thames barge to preserve traditional seamanship skills.
Sailing programme
The Sea-Change Sailing Trust offers sailing experiences around the coastal waters of the Thames Estuary, usually from its base in Maldon, Essex.
SHTP 2 training placement
Trainees have the opportunity to sail aboard Blue Mermaid, hosting parties of young people as part of youth development programmes, and chartered cruises. Blue Mermaid is being developed to carry commercial cargo and therefore working with loading and moving cargo acts as an important component of the placement. Trainees learn how traditional Thames barges are sailed and maintained, whilst developing the necessary skills to become a valuable member of a traditional sailing ship’s crew.
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Latest News
March 2023 Blue Mermaid is now licenced to collect and deliver sail cargo anywhere between Lowestoft to Sandwich entirely under sail. The Sea-Change Sailing Trust are keen to hear from any organisations interested in sending their cargo on a low carbon delivery around the coastline of East Anglia, the tidal rivers of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent, and the River Thames. Read more
