Sail Training

ASTO UK Sail Training Conference 2013

All photo's courtesy of Tallshipstock

130 delegates from 28 different Sail Training organisations were welcomed to the 4th annual UK Sail Training Conference at Southampton Solent University on Friday 25 January, kindly sponsored by Topsail Insurance.

Delegates were welcomed by John Lang, ASTO President. An update on ASTO activities and plans for the future was given by Lucy Gross, ASTO Business Manager and Mark Clark of Navigate Response gave a keynote speech – "How well do shipping companies handle bad news?"

Delegates were able to listen to a variety of presentations:

Q & A with Alistair Wood, CEO of the UK Flagship (aiming to build a new square rigger for the UK)

Volunteer Management, Barry Corke, Rona Sailing Project

Prince's Trust Sail Training Programme, How other organisations could be a part of it, Mike Strang, Prince's Trust

MCA Enforcement Process Jeremy Smart, Head of Enforcement, MCA

A brief introduction to fire fighting on Sail Training vessels, Ben Benson, Warsash Maritime Academy

Recruiting sea staff workshop, chaired by James Stevens

Sail Training with visually impaired people, Robbie Crow, OYT Scotland

The Conference closing plenary was followed by two ASTO/MCA Awards kindly presented by Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the MCA:

Laura Robertson was presented with the MCA/ASTO Award for Best Potential Sail Training Skipper

Duet was presented with the MCA/ASTO Award for Sail Training vessel of the year