The Man Behind the Project

On leaving the Royal Navy as a Commander in 1982, Graham Neilson committed his life to the development of youth, through long ocean voyages under sail. In 1984, he found the hull of the former 'vracht lugger' ASTRID built at Scheveningen, Holland, in 1917 and formed the Trust to convert her into a handsome Brig, cleared for world-wide operation. He was overseer of the re-build and witness to all the Trials, before sailing as Watch Officer and later Relief Master.

After her Dedication 'to the Service of Youth' by HRH Princess Anne in 1989, ASTRID pioneered the concept of annual trans-Atlantic voyages for young trainees, aged 17-25, completing 16 eventful and trouble-free passages of three months. She would visit up to 12 countries and islands, providing a unique opportunity for exploration and diving as part of a wider educational experience. Her summer schedule in European waters was open to all ages. In spite of 'never sailing with an empty berth', her earning capacity (with only 25 trainee berths) proved insufficient to sustain such a varied and exciting programme and in 1997 she was sold back to Holland, by her Trustees..

Learning these lessons from the past and through a fortuitous introduction to Philip Goode, the superb hull of PELICAN was acquired in Norway and the reconstruction began at Portland in Dorset in 1995.