Oosterschelde - Mediterranean Islands - Sicily, Sardinia & Balearics

Voyage Number	Ost-1003
Voyage price	€1100 euros for 11 days
Voyage Dates	20/04/2010 - 16:00 - 30/04/2010 - 10:00
Depart from	Trapani, Sicily
Finishing Port	Valancia, Spain
Voyage area	Mediterranean
Voyage type	Sailing Holidays , Tall Ships
Vessel	Oosterschelde
Availability	Available
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Voyage Description

Oosterschelde -Spring Mediterranean Island Exploration

In the Northern Europe the spring has hardly started, but springtime in the

Lofty Rig with huge gaff sails

The gaff sails on all three masts are huge and it is a long way up to release the gaskets and set oosterschelde's square sails. There is a Captain, Mate, couple of deck hands, engineer and chef so the ships guest crew will need to work hard as a team to race this impressive ship.

Oosterschelde is a very comfy ship - restored for adventure charter with a huge saloon with bar, piano, wood burning stove and library so if you have always fancied running away to sea for a few weeks, we can't think of a more stylish way to do it as hands on ships crew.

Both of Classic Sailing working directors have sailed on Oosterschelde in 2009 so we can tell you what she is like to sail on if you give us a ring.

More details and photos of Oosterschelde - see vessel details tab above.

Oosterschelde -

Spring Mediterranean Island Exploration

 

First of all you will be introduced to the ship and given a full safety briefing.

Before getting under way there will be an instruction period on sailing handling and going aloft or on the bowsprit in safety harnesses. Going aloft is not compulsorily just the best thing ever.

Whilst sailing you will form an active part of the sailing crew being part of a watch keeping system with four hours on and eight hours off. You will be setting sails and trimming them to get the best advantage from the wind.

There are other duties to perform to keep you fully occupied during your long voyage.

Below decks Oosterschelde has a very elegant saloon with library, bar and piano and there is plenty to keep you amused the whole voyage.

Trapani - Sicilly - Italy

Photo with Permission  from Stefano Liboni

Getting to Trapani 

By Road and Coach
Not practical

By Rail
Not practical

By Plane
Trapani Birgi (TPS)  the Airport for Trapani. Direct flights from Luton and Dublin but quite a few via other Italian airports like Milan etc. There are frequent buses to and from the airport which is close to Trapani.

Valencia Spain

Photo with Permission  from nicoframes

Getting to Valencia

By Road and Coach
Its a long way but possible.

By Rail
Its a long way but possible.

By Plane
Valencia (VLC)  the Airport f. Direct flights from many UK airports. There are frequent buses to and from the airport which is close to Valencia.

Three masted topsail schooner Oosterschelde

Oosterschelde has sailed as far as the Arctic and Antarctica and sailed around the world She is very well known in Holland and a favourite of sea and nature lovers. The ship is owned by a Dutch Foundation but the working language on board is English. For more on this historic 1918 sailing ship and her favourite destinations see the text below

Cape Verde for trade winds & tropical sun this winter

For some great photos and a full description of these voyages

PDF Cape Verde Sailing Expeditions Brochure 2011-12

PDF - a photo diary of our Christmas voyage in Cape Verde

Individual Cape Verde Voyage details & availability Winter 2011-12

Oosterschelde Winter Programme 2011 - 2012

Prices are fixed in Euros. Ring us on 01872 580022 for a quote in £sterling

Life on Oosterschelde

On board Oosterschelde—as on all of Classic Sailing holidays—you are not a passenger but part of the guest crew. You will be assigned a watch together with the professional crew to sail, steer and navigate the ship. No sailing experience is necessary. The crew will be happy to explain the functions of all the ropes.

Oosterschelde is very well known in Holland and a favourite of sea and nature lovers. Her ethos is one of active and direct exposure to the sea and sailing, the region being explored and its wildlife. Below decks the two and four cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold water. Showers are separate. The lounge is very stylish with a wood burning stove (for Spitzbergen trips etc) a piano and library. All cabins have forced ventilation and a window or hatch to open. The ever present trade winds keep it a pleasant temperature below decks. She has a large galley and professional cook and you can buy drinks at the bar. On board euros are accepted but not credit cards.

On a fore and aft rigged schooner there is more sail trimming, tacking and gybing than you might find on a square rigger, so at times on watch you may be very busy. With two square sails there is still an excuse (if you need it) to go aloft.

Expedition Ship

Oosterschelde is well used to running sailing expeditions to remote places like Spitzbergen, Antarctica, Indonesia with well educated guests interested in nature, walking, maritime history and local culture ashore. Whilst the ship does do social projects / sail training, for most the year the hospitality and style of sailing is geared towards adults on an adventure holiday. The landing places will be carefully selected to show you the best of each island and there will be some organised expeditions ashore.

Photo, Our local guide Ario in Sao Antao, Cape Verde 2011

Equipment & Safety

The crew are experienced ocean going sailors and most of them are employed on Oosterschelde full time. The ship is owned and operated by Oosterschelde Shipping Company and Sailing Foundation. She is equipped to sail the world’s seas and holds all the safety certificates required by Dutch Law. As you are part of the guest crew you will be fully trained in emergency procedures. For going ashore Oostershelde has two rubber dinghies with outboards and a wooden boat. She carries lifejackets, liferafts, fire detection and extinguishing systems, very extensive medicine cabinent, EPIRB, SART, radar, GPS, SSB radio, INMARSAT Sat C fax terminal etc. If your family/friends need to contact the ship in emergencies the ship can be contacted by Iridium saterlite telephone, but cheaper to go through the ships office in Rotterdam ( Michelle or Gerben) as they are in contact with the ship regularly. 

Ship Specification:

Gilbert Pépin Location: Vernon, France 29.5.2009

I  want to thank the crew for the three magnificent days passed on board, between "Golfe du Morbihan" and "Le Havre". I sailed on numerous occasions on about ten different ships, and this sailing on Oosterschelde is the best experience I ever had. I was impressed by the good performances of the ship, and by the way the crew adjusts sails permanently so that the ship always gives the best ; it was an immense pleasure to participate of my best in all these operations. I regret that our different languages did not allow us to communicate more, because all the crew members were really very nice and very thoughtful with us. I have now only an envy: to embark again on Oosterschelde, to be on the deck to participate in the laborers of sails, to climb on the mast to help the crew, and to share again these excellent moments given by sailing on Oosterschelde !!!
(Excuse my bad English, which is the one from a French...)
Thanks again
Gilbert