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.
LATEST NEWS
January 2024 The Sea-Change Sailing Trust has been awarded funding from the Active Thames Fund Full story
December 2023 The Sea-Change Sailing Trust has partnered with National Historic Ships UK to launch a new introductory Traditional Seafarer course. Full story
December 2023 The Sea-Change Sailing Trust has been awarded Lottery funding to take Blue Mermaid on tour to ten ports between Lowestoft and Ramsgate, opening the barge to members of the public in each port and screening the film ‘Wind, Tide & Oar’ in the hold of the barge. The aim of the project is to introduce more people to Thames sailing barges and inform people about their heritage and the work they do today. Full story
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. Full story
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