WEEKEND WEB - Crew aboard the tall ship South Passage
Until mid-January, there are opportunities to sail on a tall ship from Darling Harbour Sydney. The schooner, South Passage is based in Brisbane but spends three months of the year voyaging along the NSW coast and in Sydney Harbour.
Her main activity is taking school groups on “adventure training at sea” three to five-day voyages.
The 100-foot schooner is a working ship, meaning it is sailed the traditional (hard work) way — apart from the engine, everything is done manually with the crew working in teams. This is no lazy holiday cruise but a chance to raise sails, tack and gybe, take the helm and get actively involved as a member of the crew and watch teenagers grow tall.
South Passage will be running day-sails on the Harbour this weekend and on December 18 and 19.
For the more adventurous, the ship will be departing Sydney on an eight-day sail north to Brisbane from January 16.
South Passage carries a crew of six: a paid skipper, sailing master, cook and three volunteer watch leaders.
“We are always on the lookout for both qualified crew to sail with us and for trainee volunteers who love sailing and making a difference in the lives of young people,” organisers said.
Extensive training and induction is provided for volunteer watch leaders. For more information, phone the South Passage office on (07) 3893 3777
or visit www.southpasage.org.au
SYDNEY HARBOUR DAY-SAIL DETAILS
When: Saturday, Dec 11 and Sunday, Dec 12
Saturday, Dec 18 and Sunday, Dec 19
Departures: 10am and return by 4pm
Where: Each day-sail departs from King Street Wharf No. 8 Darling Harbour
Cost:
$70 adults, $35 children (under 5yo free)
Bring: BYO picnic food and refreshments (in small esky), sun protection inc. hat and sunscreen, swimming gear (in case there is an opportunity for a dip), light jacket or wrap, camera and your sense of fun and adventure! No glass ware, but olease bring plastic or Perspex drink ware.
EIGHT-DAY SYDNEY TO BRISBANE DETAILS
When: Depart Sydney Sunday, Jan 16
Disembark Manly (outside Brisbane) Sunday, Jan 23
Where: Depart from King Street Wharf No. 8 at 10am
Cost:
$1100 adults, $1000 students (age 14 to 18)
ABOUT SOUTH PASSAGE
The ship is owned and operated by the Sail Training Association of Queensland, a not-for-profit organisation based in Brisbane. The main activity of the ship is providing “outdoor education at sea” for young people between 14 and 17 years of age. The ship sails to North Queensland in winter and to Sydney in summer. Between scheduled voyages she offers day-sails and voyages for the general public and community groups.