Choosing A Sail Training Program

There are as many sail training programs as there are ships, and choosing the right one depends a great deal on your personal needs and desires. Sail training differs from going on a cruise ship, in that you are expected to take part in the running of the ship by handling sail and line and standing watch, as well as working in the galley (the ship’s kitchen) or performing routine cleaning or maintenance duties. To what degree depends on the sail training program you select.

Do you want a program that specializes in marine biology or adventure travel? Would you like to ship out for a day, a week, a school semester—or, for as long as it takes to circumnavigate the world? Are you interested in maritime history? In celestial navigation? Whales? Do you want the unique challenge of climbing aloft in a square-rigger? A race across the Atlantic? Maine lobster dinners aboard classic windjammers? Exotic ports of call? Will you be bringing your wheelchair? Would you like to receive academic credit?

The answers to the above questions provide a profile for just some of the options available to you. As to what sail training programs require of you—beyond an eager willingness to get the most out of your voyage—the requirements are few:

Safety First! Take a close look at the vessel’s credentials. In the US, check to see if the vessel operates under United States Coast Guard regulations.  Does the vessel currently hold a USCG-issued Certificate of Inspection (see “Regulations for US Vessels”) or comparable certification from the authorities of the country in which it is registered? If it is a non-US vessel you should ensure that the vessel operates in accordance with the maritime safety rules of that country. In most cases this is supervised by a government agency similar to the US Coast Guard. The resources section of the ASTA Web site lists the latest known web sites of some of these agencies.

Talk to the program provider! Ask questions! Read the organization or company’s literature; check out their Web site. Most important: visit the ship if you can. Get a sense of the professionalism of the operation and the quality of its program. Find out about the experience level of the captain and officers. How long have they served the ship you are looking into? If you will be joining the vessel in a distant port, or if it does not hold a current USCG Certificate of Inspection, be especially diligent in your research. Ask the program operator for the names of past trainees or clients and give them a call and ask about their experience. The amazingly diverse range of opportunities featured in this book provides each of us with a variety of options.

Many ships venture no more than 20 miles from a harbor and are rarely underway overnight; others offer offshore voyaging and the challenge of distant passages where severe weather and water conditions may be unavoidable. Being underway around the clock requires watch duties night and day, demanding both physical and mental stamina and perseverance.

Experience With very few exceptions, no prior sailing experience is required of trainees. Some programs do accept non-paying volunteers as crewmembers, but typically require experience in similar vessels or a long-term commitment—or both. Paying positions typically require a license—“Able-bodied Seaman” papers document a minimum of 180 days spent underway and successfully passing an exam administered by the US Coast Guard. Licenses are awarded to crew based on additional time underway, the tonnage of vessels served in, waters sailed, technical training, and additional testing.

Swimming ability Trainees are encouraged to have the ability to feel comfortable in and around the water; however, many programs have no formal swimming requirements.

Age  Most voyages are planned with a specific age group in mind. This varies from program to program, but many sail training programs start accepting unaccompanied trainees from the age of 14 (ninth grade). Ask what the composition of the ship’s complement will be and, if you plan to send a young person on an extended voyage, what the in-port supervisory arrangements will be. Day sails and dockside education programs are readily available for elementary school students and overnight trips can be arranged for older school groups as well. There are a tremendous variety of adventure programs for adults of all ages, including “Elderhostel” voyages for seniors.      

Academic credit   Some vessels are tied directly to academic institutions that grant academic credit to trainees who successfully complete sail training programs as part of a course of study or project in a wide range of subjects. Some educational institutions will also grant credit for on-board independent study.

Co-education  Just about every sail training vessel in the US sails with both male and female professional crew and programs are typically co-ed. Others are designed specifically for groups such as the Girl Scouts or in conjunction with a single-gender school or affiliated program.

Cost  Prices vary considerably depending on the nature and the duration of the program and the type of vessel.        

Financial aid  Some vessels have limited financial assistance available, and some trainees, Scouting, and school groups have successfully sought private, business, and/or community support to help defray the cost of sail training. Check with the sail training program you are interested in to see what opportunities may be available.  The American Sail Training Association offers sail training scholarships and criteria and applications can be found on the ASTA Website, or by calling the ASTA office.