Two more ships to set sail for city
Two more stunning ships have pledged their support for The Tall Ships Races in Sunderland 2018.
TS Maybe and STS Lord Nelson will be coming to the spectacular event taking place in and around the Port of Sunderland between Wednesday, July 11 and Saturday, July 14, 2018.
Sunderland City Council’s portfolio holder for culture, Coun John Kelly, said: “This is great news, the fact that we have one of the few UK Class A sail training ships coming to Sunderland is a great boost to our event.
“It’s also great to hear that Maybe, has committed to come too.
“This year both ships will be sailing across the Atlantic to Quebec and back.
“We of course wish them well in their adventures and very much look forward to seeing them both here in Sunderland.”
Last year four Sunderland Sail Training Ambas- sadors experienced a voyage on board STS Lord Nelson operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust Ltd (JST) setting sail from Greenwich to Glasgow.
Ship operations manager for JST, Andy Spark, said: “Sail training uses people’s experiences of being at sea as a fantastic way of learning about themselves.
“It gives everyone the opportunity to discover hidden strengths and talents and crucially to appreciate the value of working as a team.
“The STS Lord Nelson is one of only two Class A sail training vessels specifically designed to accommodate adventurous people of all physical abilities.
“This gives everyone the opportunity to sail side-byside on equal terms.
“I’d encourage anyone who would like to make a very special trip from Sunderland next year to make the most of the opportunities to get involved.”
Tall Ship Maybe, launched in 1933, was designed for round-the-world cruising and built by De Vries Lentsch in Amsterdam.
In the early 1950s she underwent a complete refit and took part in the very first Tall Ships Race in 1956.
Education officer for Maybe Sailing, Frankie Hartwell, said: “This will be Maybe’s first visit to Sunderland and we’re really looking forward to it.
“There will be plenty of opportunities for people to take part and experience a trip of a lifetime sailing from Sunderland to Esbjerg.
“All members on board will share the daily chores such as cooking and cleaning as well as the exhilarating challenges of learning to sail a classic ketch.
“We like to think that when you join the crew of Maybe, you are not just another trainee, you are part of the family.”
“Take part in an experience of a lifetime”
FRANKIE HARTWELL