Stavros Niarchos Ocean Sailing - Canaries to the Azores - 9 days

Submitted by adam on Mon, 31/08/2009 - 15:15
Sail a small ocean voayge on a tall ship
Voyage Number SSN416
Voyage price £349 for 9 days Ages 18-65
Voyage Dates 08/03/2010 - 14:30 - 17/03/2010 - 09:00
Depart from Gran Canaria, Canaries
Finishing Port Punta Delgado, Azores
Voyage area Azores
Voyage type Ocean Passages , Tall Ships , Wildlife Voyages
Vessel Stavros Niarchos
Availability Call 01872 580022 for availability
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Voyage Description

Atlantic Archipelagoes & Staging Posts

Most sailors, travellers and explorers have a facination for islands. On this unique 9 day ocean voyage sail the 700-800 miles of deep blue water from one group of islands to another remote archipelago. Both the Canaries (Spanish) and the Azores (Portugese) have been used as staging posts on the way to the Caribbean or the rest of the world by sailing ships and yachts for centuries. 

The saying “sail South until the butter melts” applies to the winter route southwards to the Azores, before turning a corner westwards to use the SE trade winds to cross the Atlantic. Therefore you can expect a pleasant climate even in the British winter months.

Humbled by Nature

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. This far south you may even see flying fish.

Meet the Islanders

As a winter sailing destination both archipelagoes have many attractions, but the Azores is the more remote location. There are few sheltered ports where you can tie alongside so you need a self sufficent ship like the Stavros as a base. The brigs and their predessors the Malcom Miller & Winston Churchill have been to the Azores probably more than most passing sail training ships, and the ships operators have good local contacts ashore, so you will be made very welcome. You do need a certain resilliance and sense of adventure as anchorages may be affected by swell, and the only way ashore may be by ships boat.

Azure Seas and Lush Volcanic Flora

The Azores are Portuguese, and there are 9 islands in 3 distinct groups – all volcanic with ancient Caldera craters. Only Pico still has an original cone over 2351m high. From June – October the weather is dominated by the Azores High with summer temperatures typically reaching 23 degrees. Evenings are cooler than the Caribbean. The shorelines are often steep cliffs and the vegetation is lush with much tropical fruit as well as fresh dairy products. Fishing, green tourism and whale watching are an important part of their economy and in the past Whaling was a major industry.

Winter Sun & Whale Watching

You should experience some night sailing under incredibly bright stars in unpolluted dark night skies. The archipelago is also located on the migration trail for dolphins and whales, and having a vantage point aloft increases your potential to see these magnificent creatures. 
 

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.
 

 

 

Day 1 No Experience Needed -Full Training Given

 A voyage for island lovers and true travellers. Just as in the old days you will sign on as ships crew, be issued your safety harness and wet weather gear. At this latitude hopefully you will be able to enjoy the training in shorts and t shirt.
 
The afternoon you arrive there will be an intensive training programme whilst the ship is still in port, so even if you are a complete novice you will soon feel an important part of the crew. You will be instructed on how to wear and use your safety harness for working aloft, not compulsory, and on the bowsprit. If you possibly can you really should try going aloft as it is the essence of tall ship sailing. The ship usually doesn’t sail until the next day when everybody feels a bit more at home with the ship.
 
You will be expected to take part with a whole range of activities essential for the ships operation, from the exhilaration of going aloft to set sails (although no one is forced to leave the deck!), steering, bracing the yards, or more mundane tasks like cleaning the ship. Some work is physically demanding, and the benefits of teamwork come quickly.
 
You do need to be reasonable confident in your level of fitness and stamina, especially for Ocean Passages out of sight of land. Settling into the ships routine as she sails day and night is the key to becoming an ocean sailor. Taking advantage of opportunities to rest or sleep when off watch in the daytime will help you enjoy this extended period at sea. Life back on shore will feel very strange once you get used to the rhythms of the sea and shipboard life.
 

Day 2-3 Settling into the ships routine

 

The ships day and night (whilst at sea) is divided into periods of 4 hours called watches where your watch (team of 15) are on duty sailing the ship. You will then are relieved by the new watch and have approx 8 hours off watch before you are back on duty again. These rotate daily to a rota so you see a sunset one day, the unspoilt stars during the middle watch, or the sunrise and a whiff of bacon the next day! This system is the same as Nelson would have used and operated by the Navy today. It Works, but there are also times where you might hear “all hands on deck.” Meals and tea breaks are rather formally fitted into this daily routine, but you will soon get the hang of it, and know when you can escape to read a book in the bowsprit netting or tucked into a sunny corner on deck !
 

Day 4-7 - Harnessing the wind

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.
 

Day 8-9   Arrival in the Azores

Subject to the voyage having made good time there may be a chance to explore more than one of the islands. So if you work well as ships crew and keep her sailing fast the more opportunity for exploring ashore. The Azores has welcomed sailors for centuries. In ports like Horta, crews have painted a mural of their ship on the harbour wall to celebrate arriving safetly. The ships operators have been bringing their tall ships to the islands for many years. Many young people from The Azores Sea Scouts have sailed on the ships, so you will always get a good welcome and it is great to have some connection with the local community when you visit remote destinations.
 

 

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Stavros Niarchos Tall Ship sailing with Classic Sailing

Stavros Niarchos - British Tall Ship

  

All voyages on Stavros Niarchos 2011 upto October 2011

 

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.

20101 Tall Ship Voyages

 

All voyage details and availability on Stavros Niarchos 2011 upto October 2011

 

Tall Ship Daysail Stavros Niarchos Day Sail
SSN471		 Stavros Niarchos Southampton Southampton Fri, 08/04/2011 - 08:00- to
Fri, 08/04/2011 - 16:30
Tall Ship Daysail Stavros Niarchos Day Sail
SSN472		 Stavros Niarchos Southampton Southampton Sat, 09/04/2011 - 08:00- to
Sat, 09/04/2011 - 16:30
Tall Ship Taster Voyage Stavros Niarchos -Tall Ship Taster - 4 days for only £249 FULL
SSN 473		 Stavros Niarchos Southampton Brixham Sun, 10/04/2011 - 13:00- to
Thu, 14/04/2011 - 09:00
Tall Ship Sailing in the Irish Sea and Scotland Stavros Niarchos - Tall Ship Irish Sea and Scotland - 5 days for £399
SSN 481		 Stavros Niarchos Liverpool Greenock, Scotland Mon, 09/05/2011 - 13:00- to
Sat, 14/05/2011 - 09:00
Voyage from Classic Sailing Stavros Niarchos - Tall Ship in Scotland and Northern Ireland- 5 days for £399
SSN 482		 Stavros Niarchos Greenock, Scotland Belfast Sun, 15/05/2011 - 13:00- to
Fri, 20/05/2011 - 09:00
Voyage from Classic Sailing Stavros Niarchos - Longer Celtic Adventure- 6 days for £449
SSN 483		 Stavros Niarchos Belfast Cardiff, Wales Sat, 21/05/2011 - 13:00- to
Fri, 27/05/2011 - 09:00
Sail on a Tall Ship Stavros Niarchos -Tall Ship West Coast and English Channel Adventure- 5 days for only £399
SSN 485		 Stavros Niarchos Southampton Great Yarmouth Mon, 06/06/2011 - 13:00- to
Sat, 11/06/2011 - 09:00
Sail a tall ship Stavros Niarchos -Tall Ship East Coast Adventure- 5 days for only £399
SSN 486		 Stavros Niarchos Great Yarmouth Blyth Sun, 12/06/2011 - 13:00- to
Fri, 17/06/2011 - 09:00
Sail a tall ship Stavros Niarchos -Tall Ship East Coast Taster Voyage for only £199 for 3 days
SSN 487		 Stavros Niarchos Blyth Blyth Sun, 19/06/2011 - 10:00- to
Wed, 22/06/2011 - 16:00
Tall ship sailing with Classic Sailing Stavros Niarchos -West Coast Adventure- 4 days for only £399
SSN 496		 Stavros Niarchos Barry Brixham Mon, 05/09/2011 - 09:00- to
Fri, 09/09/2011 - 16:00

Tall ship sailing with Classic Sailing Stavros Niarchos -West Coast Adventure- 3 days for only £299
SSN 497		 Stavros Niarchos Brixham Southampton Sat, 10/09/2011 - 09:00- to
Tue, 13/09/2011 - 16:00
Tall ship sailing with Classic Sailing Stavros Niarchos - Full On 6 day Tall Ship Sailing Adventure - only £449
SSN 499		 Stavros Niarchos London Southampton Thu, 22/09/2011 - 13:00- to
Wed, 28/09/2011 - 09:00
How to sail on a tall ship Stavros Niarchos - Sail a Tall Ship Taster Voyage - 2 days for £299
SSN 500		 Stavros Niarchos Southampton Southampton Thu, 29/09/2011 - 10:00- to
Sat, 01/10/2011 - 16:00
Sail a tall ship Stavros Niarchos -Tall Ship Youth Trust Fund Raise by Sailing 4 days for £299
SSN 502		 Stavros Niarchos Southampton Brixham Mon, 10/10/2011 - 13:00- to
Fri, 14/10/2011 - 09:00
Tall ship sailing with Classic Sailing Stavros Niarchos -South Coast Tall Ship Adventure- 7 days for only £449
SSN 503		 Stavros Niarchos Brixham Falmouth, UK Sat, 15/10/2011 - 13:00- to
Sat, 22/10/2011 - 09:00

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

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Ring us on 10872 580022
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Tall Ship Stavros Niarchos get onboard with Classic Sailing

 

 

 

 


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