A Tall ship experience to remember for two students

4 May 2016

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Scott and Niall from Year 9 were nominated by the Safer School Police Officer, with the backing of school staff, to be part of the crew on a six day sail around the Scottish Islands, and both have got many great stories to tell.

They were part of a group of around 40 students across the Wirral who set sail on the Stavros Niarchos from Greenock in Glasgow.

Scott was initially apprehensive about the trip due to his fear of heights. During the course of the sail he conquered his fears and pushed himself further every day. By the end of the trip he was able to go to the topmost part of the mast and touched the flag.

Scott said: “At first I was a bit nervous as I had never done anything like this before; I had never been on a long ship journey or such a big ship. They taught us everything we needed to know and the whole experience has really built up my confidence as I was quite a nervous person but got to meet lots of new people.”

Scott’s hard work and achievement led to him getting an award for being the most improved member of his team.

The students were divided into Watches on the ship and had to keep the vessel manned for 24 hours a day. Scott and Niall both experienced steering the vessel, setting the sails and adjusting them by hauling on ropes as a team, standing watch looking out for other ships, and even helping with the vessel leaving and entering port.

Niall said: “I’ve gained so much self-confidence from the trip and got over my fear of drowning. I met a lot of new people and have become so much more sociable. Scott and I were in different Watches so we had to mix with the other students and we learnt so much, we were shown how to do everything like setting the sails and tying the knots.”

Niall’s favourite part of the experience was the climbing and this showed with him being awarded Best Climber for White Watch.

The experience was offered by Wirral Safer Schools, supported by The Tall Ships Youth Trust and the Malcolm Eglin Trust. It aimed to deliver an increase in self-esteem and confidence, an ability to overcome mental and physical challenges, a healthier and more active lifestyle, and a willingness to take on more responsibilities.

Scott and Niall both take away new friends, increased confidence and teambuilding skills, as well as memories for life. Niall said: “The waking up time was really hard and so was pulling the ropes which involved a lot of us working together. I am so happy I got this opportunity and can’t believe some of the things I did, we all achieved so much. Before this I had only ever been on the ferry. The Stavros was huge, there was so much on it I’m not even sure I saw it all. At the end of the trip they asked us to go back as volunteers when we are 16 which I would love to do.”

The students went on the Stavros voyage around Scotland from 10 to 16 April 2016.