Nautical novices needed! (Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats)

Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats <info@garstonld.org.uk>

Nautical novices needed!

February 7, 2008 6:07 AM

A special sea-faring search has been launched to ensure a wave of Liverpool youngsters compete in the Tall Ships' Races 2008.

Up to 50 FREE berths are available for youths aged from 16-25 to be part of one the most spectacular highlights of Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture.

Liverpool is the host port for the start of the '08 races and is expected to attract one of the biggest fleets in the event's 51-year history as well as over 1 million people to the Mersey waterfront from July 18-21.

The Liverpool Culture Company and Liverpool city council's Education Services has funded a youth sail training programme since 2005 placing more than 100 youths on the high seas. The successful applicants this year, none of whom need to have any sailing experience, will be stepping aboard 'The Stavros S Niarchos' on the first leg to Maloy in Sweden.

To enter, they must fill in a downloadable application form is available at http://www.liverpool08.com/AboutUs/Downloads/index.asp to be considered for a place.

The 50 Liverpudlian sail trainees will be joined by a further 3,000 who will dock in the city for an amazing, free, four-day maritime extravaganza.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Deputy Chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said: "The 2008 Tall Ships' Races will be an unforgettable week and its fantastic for our youngsters to have such an amazing opportunity to be at the very heart of it.

''This a once-in-lifetime opportunity for them to not just learn maritime skills but about themselves and other people and cultures. They will also be ambassadors for the city in what is undoubtedly our most important year, so I'm sure competition for the berths will be fierce.''

The 2008 Tall Ships' Races in Liverpool will climax on Monday, July 21 with the spectacular Parade of Sail. To date 50 vessels have registered incorporating 17 Class A Tall Ships, including the biggest in the world the 360 foot long Russian Class A Tall Ship - The Mir.

Liverpool last staged The Tall Ships' Races in 1992 and 1984.