Course Summary

The Square Sail Seamanship training programme is structured in three levels, each progressively more challenging, compressed into a six month period. The programme runs from March through August inclusive.  These three levels of the programme duplicate the traditional skill levels attained by seamen in the merchant service during the last century, namely apprentice, deck hand, ordinary seaman, able seaman. To advance to the fourth level, the average sailor required at least two years ‘sea-time’ and most required much longer as structured training of any meaningful sort was rare. The Square Sail training course is, however, intensive. This involves a full lecture programme covering all theoretical aspects, personal ‘one-to-one’ tuition, practical demonstrations and ‘learning by doing’, working alongside and under the supervision of our skilled workforce both ashore and afloat. Trainees are required to complete two canvas work projects, pass regular written, oral and practical tests to advance through the skill levels and earn the coveted ‘Able Seaman’ Certificate. Those unable to satisfy the strict criteria for this final level will be awarded certificates for whichever grade they have attained.

Whilst the training is rigorous and challenging, the six months involves as much as 2500 NM of passage making, numerous Maritime Festivals, exotic or unusual ports of call and the opportunity to share the adventure with new shipmates, be they young or young-at-heart. If your heart is stirred by the call to ‘Lay aloft and make Sail!’ then we look forward to hearing from you.

Dave Redhead - General Manager

Luca Melzer - Training Co-ordinator

To find out more click on ‘Course Outline'

The following is a testimonial from Monica Halverson.  Monica successfully completed the Seamanship & Training Course in 2003.

“We have come a long way in the past six months.  Most of us came to Square Sail as trainees with little or no tall ship sailing experience.  Since we began the training, we have been exposed to every aspect of ship maintenance and sailing.  The class lectures and hands-on practical work allowed us to quickly progress from novice to deckhand to ordinary seaman and finally able seaman (AB).  Even though there were many moments of doubt along the way, in the end we all successfully completed the course.

We have learned much from this training… all of the things listed on the course syllabus and then some.  One such learning is that life on a tall ship is perhaps like no other.  The individuals or organizations that own these sailing vessels today are attempting to preserve an important part of history.  These ships are no longer economically viable for transporting cargo as they were 100+ years ago.  As such, new demands must be created to support their continuation.  Present day uses include film work, passenger voyages and festival attractions.  This means that in addition to the ordinary demands upon the ship’s crew, you also work as film crew / extras, tour guide, hotel maid, and trainer for those passengers who want to participate in the sailing.  The skills required to be a successful AB go far beyond “knowing the ropes” around the ship.

If life on a tall ship is like no other, for sure life at Square Sail is like no other tall ship experience.  During these six months, we have had the benefit of sailing on all three of the ships and learning from each respective crew.  When in Charlestown Harbour, we had access to some of the most skilled professionals in the trade including shipwrights, engineers, and sailmakers.  The small harbour surrounded by the various workshops provided a nostalgic atmosphere conducive to learning.  The organization employs a full-time training instructor who provided (what seemed to be) endless lectures, ongoing coaching and feedback, and oversight on the things being taught by the ships’ crews.  Even with all of this support, the training still required a great deal of self-discipline to master all that is covered in the course due to continuously conflicting demands upon one’s time.

In addition to all of the valuable learnings about sailing and living on a tall ship, we also take some new insights and friendships home with us.  For me, this is what it is really all about.  I have gained some new skills but more importantly, I have learned more about myself through new experiences shared with a group of people that I didn’t know at all six months ago.  I leave here with a broader horizon than when I came”.

Monica Halverson

(Newly Certified) Able Seaman