A Report by Alan Larkin

Club members Peter Gapp and Alan Larkin recently sailed on the training ship the 'One and All' for a five hour voyage from the ship's berth in the Port River out into the Gulf of St Vincent.

 

Rotarians from Districts 9520 and 9500 enjoyed the outing which promoted the opportunities for young people aged 15 - 18 identified by their teachers as having potential as young leaders.

 

The regular crew of the One and All worked with a team of trainees of varying experience and prior training in very harmonious and effective ways. The cohesion of the team and the mutual respect and support for each other was very apparent. Several of the crew had undertaken a five day training sail to Port Lincoln only a few weeks previously. Their confidence and commitment to the various tasks was quite amazing. I spoke to one 15 year old high school student from Christies Beach Secondary School when he descended from furling the sails at the top of the mast and his enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of his new found skills were fantastic.

Bill Walsh (Rotary Club of Glenelg) was the ship's Captain on the day. Bill had worked with sailing specialist and Rotarian (Glenelg) David Binks to mount the very successful project for youth training on the One and All. Local Rotary Clubs are encouraged to support the training sailings of the ship by donating to the fund that covers the trainee's costs.

 

The sea was quiet and the conditions were very comfortable which meant there were no cases of motion sickness or other discomfort. The ship's crew were amazingly hospitable, very willing to explain what they were doing as they raised and adjusted the sails and attended to required safety procedures.

 

The endless supply of tasty foods of many different varieties kept coming in abundant quantities. The crew members waited on us all and chatted with us throughout the day.

 

I would highly recommend a day sail on the 'one and all' at any time.