Outline proposal to participating organisations
Silvery Light Sailing (SLS), a charity and company limited by guarantee, is applying to NHLF for funding for a project that is aimed at introducing a wider range of people to heritage. Specifically, the focus will be on maritime heritage on the sea and onshore.
In order to achieve this, we are seeking to purchase a Brixham Trawler which is over 120 years old. Built of wood this vessel can take up to sixteen people – four crew and twelve passengers. This particular vessel would have worked the Irish Sea and west coast of Scotland. and is thus part of our maritime heritage. It is also on the National Register of Historic Vessels. It was converted to a sail training vessel and will be fully coded (the equivalent of a boat MOT) and insured if the bid is successful.
Part of the bid also comprises funding for voyages – eight in all during 2020. These voyages will last four nights and five days. Participants will, under qualified direction and supervision, be involved in the sailing of a heritage vessel and will experience a voyage using sailing techniques required in the 19th century. There will be 21st century equipment and the food will be better! Normally these types of voyages would cost from £5000 upwards.
In addition, participants will be expected to attend a half day, or evening talk on the voyage prior to it taking place as well as a day’s familiarisation process on the vessel. After the voyage participants would be expected to attend a one-day event focusing on maritime heritage as well as a half day or evening debrief and presentation of certificates.
SLS will supply the vessel, reasonable travel costs to and from the vessel and activity days, captain, first mate and bosun (qualified and checked through AccessNI) as well as oilskins and lifejackets. Food will also be provided.
SLS expects participating organisations to promote the voyage internally, select the participants, obtain parental and/or guardians’ consent where appropriate, provide leaders where appropriate (participants and up to two leaders should number 12 from the organisation) and ensure participants turn up with adequate warm clothing.
It is best to group participants in the following bands, 14-16, 17-19 and 19 plus. People need to be reasonably fit, i.e., be able to climb up and down steps and into bunks.
If your organisation is keen to become involved in this maritime heritage project, we would need a letter stating your organisations wish to engage with the activities as outlined above, some idea of what the group would get from a maritime heritage experience and a commitment to work with SLS along the lines described above.
MARITIME HERITAGE PROJECT SUMMER 2022
Silvery Light Sailing is Northern Ireland’s only Maritime Heritage Community Boatworks and Sail Training Charity. www.silverylight.org
The charity seeks expressions of interest from Youth, Community, cultural and special interest groups, schools, individuals and organisations interested in participating in a locally themed maritime heritage project to take place over Summer 2022.
The project consists of four shoreside meetings and a five day residential voyage at sea
The project is fully funded to work with six differing groups of 12 participants delivering a bespoke programme of activities on the theme of local maritime heritage The project highlight includes crewing onboard a Tall Ship for a five day adventurous residential sailing voyage visiting local Irish Sea Ports
No Previous sailing experience required.
Individual Safety Equipment and Wet Weather Clothing Provided
The project will be delivered at no cost (but enthusiasm) to participants

PROJECT TIMETABLE (dates and timings to be agreed) |
Initial Meeting (1/2 Day Who are Silvery Light Sailing, what is Maritime Heritage? |
Explore and explain the project, what to expect, Q & A |
Interaction Day (Full Day) Visit Silvery Light Boat Works – Heritage Boat Restoration |
– Marine environment – local Maritime Heritage |
Interaction Day (Full Day) Full Day aboard exploring and familiarising Tall Ship ‘Leader’ |
Plan the Project Voyage– Navigation- Life onboard- Safety |
Residential Voyage (Five Days) Embark as crew onboard for five day Irish Sea voyage. |
Wash Up (1/2 Day) Voyage Wash Up – Presentation of Certificates of Achievement |
SAMPLE VOYAGE ITINERARY
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
(Monday) (Tuesday) (Wednesday)
Embark Vessel Breakfast Breakfast
Orientation and Safety Brief Learning the Ropes Instruction Sailing Activities
Cast off and set Sail Heritage Topic Heritage Topic
Evening Meal Lunch Lunch
Settle in Free time Navigation & Chartwork Environmental Task
Sailing Activity Sailing Activity
Evening Meal Evening Meal
Review Day/ Next Day’s route Prepare for Night Sail
Free Time Night Sail Watchkeeping
Day 4 Day 5
(Thursday) (Friday)
Breakfast Breakfast
Sailing Activity Sailing Activity
Heritage Topic Heritage Topic
Lunch Lunch
Knots, Ropes, Anchors Return to Port
Sailing Activity Clean Ship
Evening Meal Debrief/Wash Up/Disembark
Review Day/Next Day’s Route
Free Time
For further details and to register an interest to take part
email: [email protected] or call Mob 07968992647