Participants of Sail Training Ireland’s 2022 Waterford Bursary Scheme were presented with a certificate of completion last week.
The scheme provides people aged 14 and above with access to a Sail Training voyage around Waterford and the surrounding areas.
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr John O'Leary presented the certificates in City Hall.
The Waterford Bursary Scheme was established by Sail Training Ireland in 2016 in partnership with Port of Waterford and Waterford City and County Council.
"This experience provides an excellent environment for personal and social development. It is not so much learning to sail as learning from sailing, the vessel, the sea, and most importantly from yourself and others," Mayor John O'Leary said.
Daragh Sheridan, CEO of Sail Training Ireland, Seamus McLoughlin, Chairman and one of the founders of Sail Training Ireland, Lieutenant Commander Jamie Cotter of the Irish Naval Service, and Frank Ronan of the Port of Waterford attended the presentation.
After the sinking of Asgard II in the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of France, on September 11th, 2008, the Coiste an Asgard disbanded but many memories of the vessel remained. Because of this Sail Training Ireland was formed in February 2011 as a not-for-profit company by former members of the Coiste an Asgard.
Under the guidance of the professional crew and youth leaders, trainees from different backgrounds and abilities are involved in operating every part of the vessel during voyages that generally last from five to 15 days.
Vessels may have between 10 and 50 people on board. Trainees take part in sailing voyages at sea on tall ships and large yachts during which they become part of the working crew.
One of the ships used as a training vessel during the scheme was called the Brian Boru.
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