The BSSC Youth Program begins when the magnificent sail training ship STS ‘Grethe Witting’ will be registered under the Romanian flag later this year (2009).
We will offer around 20 voyages each year in Black Sea waters, (and sometimes Mediterannean too – we sailed from The Netherlands to Romania in 2008), on our tallship with a Youth Crew of 22 and 5 specially trained professional crew. The Grethe Witting voyages depart and arrive from Mangalia and . Each year a new program, with new voyages is planned with the next one available 1 August 2009.
How do you get on board? Apply for our ballot, (which is like a lottery), held twice a year in Aug/Sept and Jan/Feb – you’ve got to be in it to get the chance!
The BSSC is run in partnership with the STAR with the head office at Mangalia, Romania.
Our mission: the BSSC aims to provide young Romanians with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience that increases their self awareness, develops their teamwork and leadership skills and creates a strong sense of community responsibility.
Values: The BSSC is committed to uphold the practice of equitable access to its activities.
- Our programs are conducted with the highest regard for safety.
- We support each youth participant to achieve his/her goals.
- We operate as a financially responsible business unit.
“This program had an amazing effect on my leadership abilities and confidence. It is uniquely challenging by virtue of its setting, and the fact that the other students are not merely classmates, but rather crewmates and friends’
11 Day Voyage
DAY 1 Meet The Crew, Ship’s Tour, Basic Knots, Climb Aloft, Day 2 Watch on Deck Duties, Line Handling and Deck Safety, Safety Equipment, Sail Setting and Furling, Tacking and Wearing, Day 3–7 More Sailing, Lectures on Navigation, Tacking Drills, Sail Theory, Visits Ashore, Deck Games (Weather Permitting), Team Building and Leadership Exercises, Day 8 Setting and Furling Drills, Elections for Command Day. Day9 Command Day - Youth Crew take command of the ship for 24 hours. Day 10 Half Day Sail, Harbour Furls, Sod’s Opera - live performance by the crew. Day 11 Proceed to Berth, Presentations. There is also often a chance to go swimming, play sports, check out National Parks, spot whales and dolphins and of course, enjoy the wonderful food cooked by our on board chef!
