A number of young people left Weymouth on Saturday 23rd of April to embark on a voyage of self discovery on Weymouth's very own Tall Ship.They were encouraged to keep a diary whilst onboard to capture their thoughts, feelings and achievements during their voyage.
Day 1: The activities I have participated in so far have been interesting and have taught me so much. Today we talked about safety on the ship, how to move around the ship and the rules onboard the Pelican.
All of the crew have to abide by these rules to ensure safety on the ship is maintained. Also we learnt about the sails and how to set them and climbed up the mast whilst in port to get used to being aloft. For some of the voyage crew this was a great opportunity to conquer our fear of heights. The crew stuck together and encouraged each other to climb up the foot-ropes and out onto the yard. Personally this was a very hard task - I climbed up first to get it over with!
Day 2: Today we set sail for Liverpool! Everyone was excited to get stuck-in with the tasks on-board, so real work was at hand. In the morning we learnt the tasks of being on watch and how to coil a rope - none of these I had a clue about beforehand! The night came quickly and then it was time for our first watch. In our watch there are four of us including a Watch Leader. We worked as a team through the midnight hours rotating from lookout to helm and then the coffee making (me!). After a breezy four hours the ship was still on course and it was time for bed.
Day 3: Today I was on galley duty. We anchored in a south of the British Isles Penzance. After 2 hours sleep it was time for me to assist the cook making breakfast for the crew. I was setting the tables, cleaning the dishes, drinking lots of coffee, singing and laughing a lot. (I never knew I could be so lively at 8 in the morning, before this trip I only thought there was one 8 o clock in a day!)
Breakfast and lunch went well, nobody was poisoned! Then came preparation for dinner, for the first time I pealed a potato, everybody was amazed I got to 17 with having to touch potatoes, (I thought they had machines that peel them now) I then became attached to the potatoes and had to chop and see them out of the oven! (The best roasties ever made to this day!)
Day 5: Time to set sail again for Liverpool via the Isle of Man, Everybody’s getting tired now, but the watches and the crew are encouraging each other to just keep going!
Today the waves were chopping and taunting us. We thought it was a great idea to lie on the deck and wait for the waves to splash over us! Small things eh?!We kept the engine going until we reached Lands’ End. After some lovely picture opportunities it was time for the real work, setting the sails in the wind! We hoped we would be flying with an easterly wind towards Liverpool but this was not the case. My watch were on watch from 12pm till 4am, I really didn’t think we we’re even moving! But that didn’t matter with the 2nd mate and story-telling skills it made the cold long night go so much quicker!
Day 6: After a short sleep the sixth day arrived! Early start again, breakfast times three for me. I like my food! We were soaring through the waves with the sails still up, it was a bit rocky I was feeling a little green because we were swaying from side to side. After another extremely fun happy hour scrubbing the deck, singing away to myself (Perhaps i’m starting to become crazy!) We were on a two hour watch, I mostly stayed on look-out today bur went on the helm for the last half hour. My arms and my brain were aching after the effort and concentration to keep the ship straight and on course. It was all worth it though - when we finally anchored the sun was setting on the horizon we had the most beautiful view over the island all you could see was green grass and sheep! I’m on watch for only one hour tonight and am looking forward to some sleep.
Day Nine: Well technically it’s still the eighth day but it is early morning, we’re on watch at the minute its cold and windy but amusing ourselves with brain teasers and silly games, We’re due to be at Liverpool about ten o’clock tomorrow morning; I’m excited to be back in the North West!
Nearly there now, the pilot has just been dropped off to take us up the Mersey and into port. The atmosphere is amazing, everyone is excited.
All in all this trip has been one of the best weeks of my life. I never thought I’d laugh so much!
I have met the friendliest people and i’ll stay in contact with them. I’ve learnt so much about ships and the sea but I have also learnt things to do with life on land. My confidence has grown and the experience has made me think about the things I want to do in life, what I want to achieve and the fact that if I try hard enough I can achieve them.
I’m thinking of opening my own business POTATO PEELING! Ha ha!
It's now the following Tuesday. I I have been back to the ship every day I miss it so much! I’m helping on a day sail on Thursday and I’m excited to get back on the sea!
Tall Ship Pelican is now taking bookings for the International Tall Ships Races 2011 A fantastic spectacle where over 150 tall ships from all nations gather to race each other. Be part of an international festival, celebrating youth, friendship and traditional sailing vessels. To find out more or book your place, call 01305 839476 | 
