The Swan is available for charter to any school, youth club, business or private individual. In short everybody. We can do anything from a short trip of a few hours to day sails to international trips of a week or more.

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Voyage Crew

When you come with us on the Swan you are part of the voyage crew for that trip. It is very much a 'hands on' affair. As voyage crew you will come under the command of the skipper and crew and you will play an active role in sailing and working the Swan on passage.. You will be joining a small group of people living in a confined space. Initially many may be strangers to you but before long firm friendships are being formed and many carry on long after the trip has finished.

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Watch Duties

On the longer trips everyone will be assigned to a watch. Watch duty is 4 hours on and 8 hours off. A standard system on almost all ships. The watches on the Swan are split into 3 separate watch teams which operate day and night.

Watch A .. .. 12.00 - 4.00
Watch B .. .. 4.00 - 8.00
Watch C .. .. 8.00 - 12.00

This means that watch A will come on at 12.00 (noon) and be in charge of sailing and working the Swan till 4.00 p.m. At 4.00 p.m. watch A can relax as watch B takes over. At midnight watch A relives watch C who were on from 8.00 p.m. to midnight and keep watch till 4.00 a.m. when they are relived again by watch B. While at anchor or in port overnight there are no watch duties for voyage crew.

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Duties on watch

While on watch you will be under the command of your watch leader and your watch will be temporarily responsible for the safe operation of the Swan. Duties are many and varied and include steering, setting sail, keeping a lookout, helping in the galley and occasionally performing routine maintenance. You are encouraged to participate but nothing barring obvious safety requirements, is compulsory and you will not be forced into doing anything you feel uncomfortable about.

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Off watch

There is plenty of time to relax, read, yarn with your shipmates, have a cup of tea or a nap.

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Galley duty

Generally one of the crew will prepare meals but don't let that stop you displaying your own culinary skills! The cook will be only too pleased to let you prepare lunch or evening meal. Everyone will share the chore of washing up and a rota will usually be set for this. There is a 5 ring gas hob and an electric oven/grill.

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Eating on board

Three good meals are served every day. Breakfast is usually cereal, fruit juice, porridge, fresh fruit etc. Lunch can be anything from Anchovy toast to Zucchini slice. The evening meal is always well worth waiting for and you won't leave the table feeling hungry! Hot drinks and biscuits are always available. Vegetarian cookery is not a speciality but we will make the effort to comply with your dietary requirements.

NOTE: If you have any food allergies please inform the skipper of this.

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Accommodation

Every person onboard has their own bunk, which has a curtain for privacy and a reading light. There are 8 bunks in the main saloon and 7 bunks aft. There are no individual cabins and thus the accommodation is usually mixed. The main saloon, which used to be the fish hold, can seat everyone onboard and is the place where meals are eaten and sailing stories retold. For'ard of the main saloon is the galley to port and two toilets with washhand basins and two showers to starboard. In the forepeak is a workplace/stowage area. The sink and washhand basins have pressurised hot and cold water.

NOTE: A 240v electrical system is onboard so you can charge video camera batteries, walkmans, etc.

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Adverse weather conditions

Adverse weather or the threat of it may force us to alter sailing dates and may result in the itinerary of the trip being changed. This shall be at the discretion of the skipper.

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Safety

Safety is the primary concern in all our voyages. Everyone onboard will wear a lifejacket at all times when at sea. Safety harnesses may be made compulsory at the discretion of the skipper in certain conditions. There will be a safety briefing at the commencement of each voyage outlining rules for general safety while on deck at sea - the siting of fire extinguishers, alarm systems etc.

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Medical

Please inform the skipper if you have any medical condition we should be aware of. A comprehensive medical box is carried onboard. Remember to take any personal medication with you. Medical boxes only to be opened by one of the crew.

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Sea-sickness

Sea sickness pills are provided onboard and it is advisable to take a dosage before sailing if you have doubts about your sea legs.

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Tidiness

Space is at a premium below decks and a degree of general tidiness is necessary. There is space under the seats for stowage of belongings. If you have a large amount of baggage you will need to keep it in your bunk when you are out of it.

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Smoking

There is no smoking below decks.

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Alcohol

There is a time and a place for everything. Alcohol in large quantities at sea is not a good idea. The occasional sundowner or glass of wine with a meal is quite acceptable but all persons onboard should be aware that they may be called on deck at anytime and need to have a clear head.

In port conditions are more relaxed but anyone persistently drunk will be considered a danger both to themselves and to the ship and may be asked to leave.

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What we provide

All meals for the duration of the voyage. NOTE: If, on day one, the departure time is after 18.00 hours an evening meal will not normally be available on that day.
Lifejackets, wet weather gear (but feel free to bring your own), rubber boots, safety harnesses.
An undersheet on your bunk mattress.
Hand towels.

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What we don't provide

Bedding (bring your own sleeping bag/quilt and pillow).
Alcoholic drinks.
Chocolate, sweets, etc.
Towels.

Recommendations

It is recommended that you take sea-sickness pills before leaving on an open water trip.
Warm clothing (hats, gloves, thick socks) as often on a night watch outside at sea it can be chilly.
A penknife and small pocket torch can be handy.

NOTE: A 240v electrical system is onboard so you can charge video camera batteries, walkmans, etc.

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Miscellaneous

If you play a musical instrument feel free to take it onboard, full drum kits and double basses excluded! The engine room is out of bounds unless accompanied by one of the crew. The medical boxes are only to be opened by one of the crew.

School and Youth Club Trips

One of the Swan Trust's initial aims was to encourage young people to sail aboard the Swan and keep alive the techniques of sailing and working a traditional Sail Fifie. To this end we make a special effort to ensure she's available to local schools and she has proved to be immensely popular.

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How long are the trips?

We tailor the duration of the school trips to suit the age group involved. Very young primary children are normally afloat for 1.5 - 2 hours, older primary children perhaps 2 - 3 hours. Secondary classes can be anything from a trip of a few hours to a full day sail or a week long school trip to, say, Norway and back..

What can the children do?

The trips will include a brief history of the Swan and is very much a 'hands on' outing. Under the crews guidance the children assist with setting sails, deckwork and steering. The children are introduced to the basic parts of a sailing boat and there is usually a hot cuppa for the teachers accompanying them.

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