The student experience

‘Sail training is not really about training young people to sail. It‘s using that experience to develop life skills. To give them a sense of self-worth, to have them understand the value of teamwork and leadership. It‘s such a powerful tool for achieving that and such a great adventure for these young people.’

Nigel Rowe, President and Chairman of Sail Training International

Sail training

Sail training is not well understood in Australia whereas in Europe and America it retains its popularity with frequent tall ship races and regattas using a range of ships from the massive square-riggers to cutters even smaller than South Passage.

The South Passage system

In fourteen years of operation we have developed a system of running the ship. This means that our crews can get on board anywhere and very quickly fit into the established routines of shipboard life.

On voyages, the trainees run the ship under the guidance of the watch leader and one of the qualified crew. They are organised in three watches named Red, White and Blue usually with between 6 and 8 students in a watch. They will be rostered for periods of two to fours hours and will be in charge of the ship.

Each watch works as a team. They bunk together, eat together and run the ship together when they are on duty. Of course, there are times when it is all hands on deck with all watches involved.

When on watch the students will rotate around deck duties such as helming, lookout and recording entries in the ship‘s log and on the chart as well as tacking and gybing when required. When not on duty, they are also rostered on less exciting duties such as cleaning, washing up and brass polishing.

South Passage is a smoke-free environment. Alcohol, drugs and pornographic material are not allowed on board. We encourage schools to ask their students to leave their mobile phones, ipods and other trappings of modern society at home and enjoy the South Passage adventure. Musical instruments are welcome (space permitting).

Outcomes

Obviously the trainees learn about sailing, but the South Passage system provides much more than that. They will be given the opportunity to work as a team, take responsibility, accept discipline, respect others, take the lead, develop their fitness and manage themselves.

Students will experience a new worldwhen they step onto South Passage. The ship is unique so even those who have sailed before will need to learn the jargon and skills to operate the ship. The watch leaders have no preconceived notions about who can do what and will treat all students as equals.

The South Passage system establishes a discipline and structure to the voyage so that the 30 people on board can live as harmoniously as possible together. Students will learn the rules of the ship such as numbering off, watch protocols, only four in the galley at a time, how to take over the helm and the responsibilities of the duty watch.

Teamwork

On South Passage virtually every task requires more than one person. For instance, it takes six people to manage a tack and the whole watch to raise the anchor. The trainees must work together to achieve a result. It is a pleasure to see the satisfied grins of a team who have worked well together to complete an unfamiliar task.

To build teamwork and watch pride, the watches are pitted against each other in knot tying and tacking competitions.

Responsibility

Trainees learn that the ship relies on them. The person on helm or lookout has the welfare of the whole ship's company in their hands. Under the eye of the watch leaders, trainees will see that learning new skills means making mistakes but recovering so no harm is done.

Discipline

When a student is on watch, they must be on time and take responsibility for doing their job. They learn to live with discomfort like seasickness and sleeping at irregular hours. For instance, night sailing requires the whole watch on duty for four hours through the night. On an anchor watch two students will be on duty in turn for an hour with their watch leader to ensure the ship (and the company) is safe.

Respect

The students bunk together and live at close quarters. In this situation they learn tolerance and respect for others and their possessions.

Leadership

As their sailing skills develop we often see individual students show leadership of their watch by demonstrating how to do a task or helping others who are struggling. Watch leaders will often swap roles with a trainee to let them lead the watch.

Fitness

Some of the work on South Passage is physically demanding such ashauling on halyards, raising the anchor and tightening sheets. Students need to stay alert when on watch even if they are tired or nothing is happening (at that time).

Self management

Although watch leaders supervise the students, it is up to each individual to look after themselves. Failing to use sunscreen, wear a hat or drink water will have its own consequences for those who ignore advice. Students need to manage their own hygiene and to look after themselves on board because, a ship in rough seas can be a dangerous place.

Extra curricula activities

Depending on the location and weather conditions, students can swim, go island exploring, snorkel, scale sand dunes or climb headlands. They are often amazed at being so close to wild life such as birds, fish, whales and dolphins.

Unpredictability

You can never be sure what to expect on a voyage in South Passage. The weather, the winds and the sea dictate life aboard the ship. There is always uncertainty and the possibility of the unexpected. Watch leaders are vigilant in managing potential danger from a heeling deck, rough weather and being on duty in difficult conditions.

The uncertainty adds to the challenge of the voyage and the challenges bring out the best in the students. On a recent post voyage survey form, a student wrote, I learnt I can do more than I thought if I try.

Role of teachers

On a full voyage we will usually have 22 students and 2 teachers. Teachers will be allocated to a watch and can participate in watch duties as much or as little as they like. Most teachers choose to be actively involved in the shipboard activities.

Teachers also have a responsibility for the behaviour of the students and overseeing non-ship activities such as swimming, snorkelling and island excursions.

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