Stavros Niarchos Azores to UK 16 day Ocean Passage

Submitted by adam on Thu, 24/09/2009 - 14:33
Ocean Sailing on a tall ship
Voyage Number SSN418
Voyage price £599 Ages 18-65 Adventure for less than £37 a day
Voyage Dates 26/03/2010 - 22:00 - 11/04/2010 - 09:00
Depart from Ponta Delgada, Azores
Finishing Port Southampton
Voyage area Azores
Voyage type Ocean Passages , Tall Ships , Wildlife Voyages
Vessel Stavros Niarchos
Availability Limited places
BOOKING FORM >>>

Voyage Description

Affordable Ocean Passage - 1300 miles Azores to UK 

 

 “ Classic Sailing gift vouchers are up there with Oxfam ‘buy a goat for Christmas’ as a present most likely to change a life.” Georgie D , Norfolk
 

Sign on before the mast for 16 days

You can have a comfortable life and try virtual sailing on TV, CD or by reading a book or you can get out there and experience what is like to feel the power of the wind on the sails and forcing hundreds of tons of ship through the waves.  Two masted brig Stavros S Niarchos is an incredibly strong modern sail training ship with totally traditional rigging but built to high enough safety standards to be rated an auxiliary coastguard vessel.

 

Wind Powered Travel

Even on a 500 ton sailing ship there will be times when she will feel a very small vessel. There will be days when you may not see another vessel or sign of modern life –but usually there are ships and fishing vessels to spot. Look out for the world’s ocean wildlife – seabirds like gannets and storm petrels, Whales and large schools of dolphins. As you head south the seas get bluer and warmer, its more shorts than wet weather gear and Africa is not far over the horizon to the South East.
 

The Azores in Spring - ideal for Whale Watching

 
For more details on the Azores see our 7 day Azores Explorer voyage SSN417 just before this ocean passage. If you want to take full advantage of traveling to this remote Atlantic staging post to start your ocean passage, why not book the preceeding voyage and spend 7 days island hopping in the Azores on Stavros S Niarchos and then you will be experienced ocean crew by the time you start the long voyage home.   We can usually offer special prices for two back to back voyages.
 


Sailing on a Tall Ship 

Climbing the masts to work the square sails is the essence of tall ship sailing. There are n’t many adrenalin buzzes in the world to beat stowing a sail 100ft above the white capped sea as you stand there balanced on a single foot rope. (OK; you do have a safety harness on and it's only if you volunteer to go aloft.)
 

Ships Crew

Upon arrival on sail training brig ‘Stavros S Niarchos’ you will sign on as ships crew. Before sailing every one undergoes an intensive safety training period so you can begin to handle a 500 ton sailing ship. There are 18 sails, included in the training is the chance to make your first climb aloft; it’s not compulsory and it is under expert supervision with plenty of encouragement.
 
On Deck
At deck level the challenge is to make sense of the myriad of ropes than run down to belaying pins all around the tall ship. As part of a team you could be hauling on a halliard that hoists a huge yard up the mast so that the sail can be set.  It may be an upper topsail, the main course or you may be alone finding the right buntlines to loosen for someone working high above you.
 
Real Tall Ship Rig
The ship’s rig is authentic, there are no winches, no windlass for the sails and so it takes a lot of physical effort and large numbers of people working together to set all the sails. Manoeuvring a tall ship is not simple under sail and there is huge amount of work to be done when you tack or wear ship. It all takes genuine teamwork, not a cliché in a management training manual.
 
Below decks
Stavros Niarchos is all traditional rigging but below deck you will find cots rather than hammocks, showers and air conditioning and a full service galley. She is fully equipped with all the latest navigation equipment and her officers are highly trained professional merchant seaman.
 
The Pleasure Principle
You would be surprised at the number of lasting relationships that develop during a voyage on a tall ship. I’m still in touch with three people I sailed with on my first voyage; it did so happen that I married one of them.
 
The sense of satisfaction and pride in your ship is a common but wonderful feature of tall ship sailing.
 
A tall ship voyage is not just for young and agile as these ships are built for those who believe in human power and seek to enjoy the pleasures of sailing in the old ways.
 

 

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Southampton

There are a number of locations in Southampton where the Stavros may dock. It depends on availability for a 60m sailing ship. The ships operators will inform crew of the exact location one month before the voyage.

Shamrock Quay is on the River Itchen and very easy to get from  Southampton Rail Station or Southampton Airport.

SO14 5QL for Sat Nav location.

The Port of Southampton

The ship may end her voyage amongst the large cruise ships in the port of Southampton. You will be sent details of dock gate and what you need for any security gates. Again this is not far from the train and coach stations.

 

 

 

Stavros Niarchos - British Tall Ship

  

All voyages on Stavros Niarchos 2010 upto October 2010

 

Tall Ship Stavros Niarchos Dimensions

Length 200' (60m)
Rig Brig, Square sails on two masts
Tonnage 500 tons
Height of main mast 118' (36m)
 

Tall Ship Construction

Steel hull, 2 engines, watertight bulkheads built by Appledore Shipyard in North Devon in 2000 and 2001
Sails: 18 in total. Royal, t’gallant, upper and lower topsail and course on each mast, plus flying jib, outer jib, inner jib, staysail and between mast staysails. Deck level Mess Room.
British Registered
Both ships are British registered and owned by a long established sail training charity. The ships carry full UK Marine Coastguard Agency certification for worldwide operation. They are rated as UK Auxiliary Coastguard Ships recognising the professionalism of the permanent crew in assisting in rescues at sea.

Below Decks
Air-conditioned, shared accommodation, WC’s and showers.

Safety
MCA Coded to sail anywhere in the world.

Master & Crew
45 voyage crew like yourself of all ages.
Merchant Navy qualified Master with considerable experience.
Chief Officer, 2nd Mate, 3rd Officer, Bosun, Engineer and Cook and 10 experienced volunteers, including deck hands, cooks assistants, engineer assistant and others.

Voyage Fees include:
All meals, square rig sail training, waterproofs and harnesses, pillows.

Involvement level:
These are sail training ships not luxury cruising. Everyone signs on as ships crew and takes part in a watch system of 4 hours on, 8 hours off throughout the voyage. Duties include sailing, watch keeping and keeping the ship clean at sea and in harbour. Going aloft is the essence of Tall Ship sailing and you will be given every encouragement to try for yourself, it’s not compulsory. Supervised training begins before the voyage.

2010 Tall Ship Voyages

(2010 -2011 Winter Sun voyages to be announced)

ref from to nts ports age description price
SSN427 15 May 17 May 2 Portsmouth - Poole 18-80 tall ship taster £249
SSN430 27 May day 0 Portsmouth 16-80 tall ship day sail  £99
 SSN433  14 Jun  19 Jun  5  Cardiff - Dartmouth  18-75 midsummer round Lands End  £399
 SSN434  20 Jun  23 Jun  3  Dartmouth - Southampton  18-75  Devon & UK South Coast  £299
   July  Aug   Stavros - youth voyages only   Alternative option - Oosterschelde tall ship programme 2010 in Scotland  
 SSN443  6 Sep  10 Sep  4  Barry- Dartmouth  18-75 South West, Lands End, Pembrokeshire  £399
 SSN444  11 Sep  14 Sep  3  Dartmouth - Weymouth  18-75  Authentic tall ship on your doorstep  £299
 SSN445  15 Sep  19 Sep  4  Weymouth - Southampton  18-75  Tall Ship Taster  FULL
SSN447 1 Oct 8 Oct 7 London - Poole 18-75 Down Channel probably via Belguim, France or Channel Isles £449
SSN449 17 Oct 20 Oct 3 Falmouth- Brixham 18-75 South West historic ports & great scenery £299

All voyage details and availability on Stavros Niarchos 2010 upto October 2010

 

5 magnifcent tall ships worldwide and smaller traditional boats - Prices and Voyages in one printable pdf document 

 BOOK NOW Already Convinced ? go to our on line booking reservation page

Classic Sailing—Talk to Your Tall Ship Experts 01872 580022

Our directors Adam or Debbie Purser in the office are tall ship sailors and professional skippers of traditional boats and we love to talk to our potential customers, so do give us a ring if you are tempted by sailing on a tall ship, but not quite sure it is for you.

We can also help if you want to buy a gift voucher or short tall ship voyage or day sail as a present for someone else.

Both Adam and Debbie have sailed as watch leaders for many years on the Stavros S Niarchos, and have also sailed on the other tall ships we promote—Topsail schooner Oosterschelde, Barque Europa and Brigantine Soren Larsen, so if you have already tried a short trip and are looking for a more challenging ocean voyage; tall ship wildlife expreditions or would prefer a tall ship with ensuite cabins but plenty of actiuon then do ring us to help your chose.

We are the main UK booking agents for the tall ships on our website work in close partnership with the ships operators to create exciting programmes to suit every level of tall ship sailor from novice to master mariner looking for an unusual holiday.

Ring us on 10872 580022
Classic Sailing, Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5AA

update: 9-5-10 DP
 

Tall Ship Stavrso Niarchos

 

 

 

 

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