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Young people in 13 yachts raced from Guernsey to Poole for RNLI bicentenary

Lifeboats News Release

Young people from across the UK, including from the South East and London, have been learning about sailing, teamwork, and the lifesaving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as the charity celebrates 200 years.

Ollie Burton/RNLI

Sean Clarke from North East London took part in the ASTO Small Ships Race

The sailing race involving more than 155 people, of whom 115 are under 25, saw 13 yachts ranging from 38ft to 98ft depart Guernsey on Tuesday 13 August bound for Poole. The fleet cut an impressive sight as it left St Peter Port on the island at 10am.

The race, organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) and inspired by 200 years of saving lives at sea for the RNLI, was open to any ASTO vessels on which at least half the crew is under 25 years old.

The budding sailors, many of whom have no sailing experience, were trained in Guernsey before setting off on the race under the guidance of experienced crew. Beyond teaching sailing skills, ASTO aims to instil qualities that make a real difference to everyday life, such as confidence, teamworking, communication, resilience, adaptability and responsibility.

The week long event began with a tour of St Peter Port lifeboat station and lifeboat, and culminates on arrival in Poole, with tours of the RNLI College and All-weather Lifeboat Centre, where the charity builds its biggest lifeboats.

Sean Clarke, 20, from northeast London, is an apprentice quantity surveyor who hasn’t sailed much before joining the ASTO Small Ships Race.

He said: ‘The best thing about the ASTO Small Ships Race is meeting all the new people. For me it’s about having the courage to meet new people and then afterwards feeling really proud about that. Before being involved with ASTO I hadn’t done much sailing at all, and now I’m planning to be a Watch Leader, where I’ll help new people take part in events like these. We learn a lot about teamwork – we swap roles, so we might do 4 hours working the lines and then go below deck to prepare and cook dinner.

‘During our trip, we visited a lifeboat station and though I didn’t know much about the RNLI before, having a tour around the station made me think that if I do an event such as a marathon one day, I’ll do it for the RNLI.’

Giulia Cestaro, 22, from London, said: ‘This is my first voyage with ASTO Small Ships. One of the main things I’ve loved is that many of the people here are 16-year-olds. Honestly that has been one of the most humbling experiences. As a 22-year-old, being taught by people who are younger is really lovely. I love the inter-generational element of the event.’

Andy Wright, RNLI Area Operations Manager for Guernsey who skippered a ship in the race, said: ‘It was fantastic to be able to offer the young people the chance to experience a multi-day sailing journey, and to introduce them to the range of employment and volunteering opportunities the RNLI offers at the same time. They learned a lot of new skills, and they found out about the charity’s lifesaving work over 200 years and opportunities they can take advantage of going forward.

‘The charity has been saving lives at sea for 200 years and it’s vital that we engage young people with our mission if we’re going to keep saving lives for another 200. We hope that some of these youngsters that will go on to be lifeboat volunteers and supporters, and this will be the inspiration that starts their RNLI journey.’

Ms Kerry McMillan, ASTO’s Chief Executive, said: ‘What an incredible week it's been! A fleet comprising of 155 people, of whom 115 are under 25, have enjoyed a visit from our patron HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, a race across the channel and now a very special day at the RNLI College.

‘This race was inspired by the RNLI's 200th Anniversary with the aim of raising awareness of the impact on, and value to, young people of sail training and adventure afloat generally, and I think we have achieved that!

‘Rising rates of mental health challenges, including issues such as anxiety, have been compounded by the Covid pandemic which effectively resulted in a whole generation of young people who missed so many opportunities at key stages in their development.

‘This week's activities have enabled the young people to learn practical and social skills at sea, and discover how the RNLI lifeboats are made while being inspired by the charity’s lifesaving work and opportunities it presents to young people.’

The Association of Sail Training Organisations is made up of 31 sailing charities, with a fleet of more than 50 sail training vessels. Each year, ASTO members enable over 12,000 young people and people with additional needs to undertake life changing adventures afloat.

Sail Training is a challenging adventurous activity delivered outside the normal routine of life, but it is also a fun and exciting adventure. Sailing offshore as part of a team that is responsible for the running of the boat opens a whole new world of challenges, skills and discovery.

Notes to editors

Images from the race can be downloaded here https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/E7FA0572-A542-46EA-B32F0A93C0C90999/

Media contacts

For more information please contact Beth Robson, Regional Communications Manager on 07977728294 or [email protected]. For ASTO: Tanya Brookfield on 07879 552156 or [email protected]. Alternatively, contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

Sail Training teaches young and disabled people about their own strengths, talents, and the value of teamwork.

ASTO is the membership body for the UK’s Sail Training Charities. Part of it’s function is to champion these charities and the role they can play in supporting the needs of our disabled, and young people, particularly post pandemic which had a significant impact on a generation who missed so many opportunities at key stages in their development.

ASTO works at a wide variety of levels from government, and governing bodies like the RYA and MCA to local authorities and education groups to build greater awareness of the opportunities available for Sail Training and adventure afloat. ASTO also shares and promotes best practice and ensures the sector stays relevant.

ASTO also provides bursary funding through its’ member organisations in order to enable those young people who could not otherwise afford to take part. It also works with Trinity House to provide much needed funding for the development of Sail Training staff and volunteers to ensure service levels of the highest standard.

Website: uksailtraining.org

Media enquiries: Tanya Brookfield ([email protected] / +44 7879552156 )

RNLI/ASTO

Sean Clarke sailed on yacht Rona II skippered by Andy Wright

Ollie Burton/RNLI

Giulia Cestaro from London said: 'I love the inter-generational element of the event'.

RNLI

The young people saw where the RNLI's largest lifeboats are built at the All Weather Lifeboat Centre

RNLI

A tour around the RNLI's headquarters rounded off the week of sailing

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.