SAIL WEST &

ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL, SAIL TRAINING GUIDANCE NOTES FOR POTENTIAL SAIL TRAINEES

Purpose and Overview

These notes are intended to give guidance to anyone completing the application form, for the fully funded sail trainee place,being offered by Argyll and Bute Council in association withMalinWaters°, to take part in the Cruise in Company leg of the Tall Ships Races 2011.

The application process will result in one successful young adult (between the ages of 18 and 25) being selected to take part in the Cruise in Company leg of the Tall Ships Races 2011, from Greenock to Lerwick, from the 12th to the 21stJuly 2011, onboard a Class A Tall Ship (to be confirmed 6th June 2011).

Successful applicants will be decided jointly byArgyll and Bute Council.

During the Cruise in Company, ships will sail from Greenock on the 12th July, and have the opportunity to call into guest ports – including Campbeltown, Islay, Oban, Ullapool, Stornoway, Stromness, Kirkwall, Fair Isle, Scalloway, Cullinoe, Uinst, and Whalsay – finishing in Lerwick by the 21st July. In addition to sailing, trainees will have the opportunity to participate in a number of events organised by ports along the route.

Trainees will be recruited by Argyll and Bute Council on behalf of MalinWaters°

and the successful trainees will be required to represent Argyll and Bute Council and MalinWaters°throughout the duration of their trip.

MalinWaters°is an INTERREG IV funded initiative for the development of Marine Leisure Activities and Infrastructure. It is designed to provide a cohesive marine leisure development strategy for the North West of Ireland, which links Sligo, Donegal, the maritime countries of Northern Ireland and the West Coast of Scotland:

  • To provide innovation in the development of new products and services.
  • To share knowledge and Best Practice between partners.
  • To provide sustainable development, job growth and the rejuvenation of maritime communities.
  • To ensure that environmental best practice and the possible effects of global climate change is considered within all new developments.
  • To encourage marine based tourism and eco tourism.
  • The project involves a series of infrastructural investments that will improve the quality of the visitor experience.

MalinWaters° represents the first attempt to link through partnership the tri-jurisdictional waters and multiple planning and implementation bodies involved. It will be the first major co-operative venture involving bodies that have previously worked separately and often as competitors for the available tourism and leisure markets.

General Information on Sail Training

The following information is extracted from the website of Sail Training International –

“Sail training requires participants to confront many demanding challenges, both physical and emotional. It is an activity that inspires self-confidence and the acceptance of personal responsibility, promotes an acceptance of others whatever their social or cultural backgrounds, and develops a willingness to take controlled risks. For most who undertake sail training on Tall Ships it is a positive life-changing experience.

Sail training is an adventure activity for people of all ages and abilities. It includes instruction in all aspects of sailing but its purpose goes far, far beyond this. Sail training uses the experience of being at sea principally as a means to help people learn about themselves, discover hidden strengths and talents and understand the value of working as a team. In some programmes today it forms the setting for much wider aspects of education at sea.”

Age Limits

Trainees applying to take part in this opportunity must be aged between 18 and 25 years of age, on 12th July 2011, the date of departure for the Cruise in Company from Greenock.

Selection Process

Interested applicants should complete and return their application form (either written or email) by the 17th June 2011. A shortlist of potential sail trainees will then be selected by representatives from Argyll and Bute. A short telephone interview and referee may be requested to confirm the trainee position. The successful applicant will be notified by the 22nd June.

Once selected the successful trainee/Argyll and Bute Council will be required to complete and submit the booking form provided by ‘At Sea Sail Training’, who have reserved the necessary place on board a ‘Class A’ Tall Ships. Once the necessary details have been received by ‘At Sea Sail Training’ they will administer the appropriate contract and all the information need by the sail trainee for their voyage. As such the terms and conditions of ‘At Sea Sail Training’ should also be understood and confirmed within the Argyll and Bute/Sail West Application Form.

Trainees with additional support needs

Applications from anyone who meets the age criteria will be welcomed. Applicants will be asked for details of any additional support need that they may have and this will not prejudice the consideration of applications. All reasonable support will be given to assist trainees with additional support need to take part.

It should be noted however, that the nature of participation in The Tall Ships Races is likely to be physically and emotionally demanding. Berths onboard some vessels are not suitable for individuals with a physical disability.

Applicants who may have difficulty with reading and writing are welcome to have their application scribed and submitted by another person on their behalf.

The application process, will meet the requirements of Argyll and Bute Councils Equality and Diversity Scheme.

Funding

Argyll and Bute Council will fully fund the sail trainee position, including travel to meet the ship and home, if required, which will be arranged in advance, according to timelines established by the hosting Tall Ship. The costs of all necessary travel insurance to cover the trip and travel requirements will also be met by Argyll and Bute Council.

Any additional personal expenses other than those set out above will be the responsibility of the successful trainees.

Travel

Successful sail trainees will be required to travel, either via road, ferry and/or flights to meet their ship in Greenock on the 12th July and to return homefrom Lerwick on the 21st/22nd July (dependant on ship timelines). The most appropriate travel arrangements will be sought between Argyll and Bute Council, ‘At Sea Sail Training’ and the successful sail trainee. Although efforts will be made to allow travel as part of a group, this cannot be guaranteed and trainees will nonetheless require a degree of self-reliance during the trip.

Other requirements

The successful trainee will presented with new branded clothing, and issued with a digital video camera and required to take a daily video log of their experience. The outputs will be edited to create a digital ‘viral’ for the purposes of strategic communication for the MalinWaters° initiative.

Trainees will be required to ensure they read and understand the ‘terms and conditions’ as set by ‘At Sea Sail Training’, as well as the Argyll and Bute / MalinWaters°, and present all necessary documentation (e.g. insurance) to the Tall Ships (as indicated by At Sea Sail Training).

Further Information

For further details or specific queries on the information provided above, please contact:

Stuart Green, Argyll and Bute Council – 01546 604243

Lisa Hardie, Argyll and Bute Council – 01546 604332

The terms and conditions for ‘At Sea Sail Training’ should be read and understanding confirmed in conjunction with these guidance notes.

For further information on the Cruise in Company, and The Tall Ships Races, please see:

At Sea Sail Training -

Tall Ships Lerwick –

Sail Training International –