G'day all! (any other square rigger fans out there?)

[Gwally]

G'day everyone, I'm Greg from Australia. I've been a lurker for a month or two now and finally decided to take the plunge.

I'm starting a (volunteer) cadetship next yr aboard "Windeward Bound", a tallship used for Sail-training down in Tassie (the little Island hanging off the bottom of Australia). More info here.....

However in the long term, I've got my eyes on an engineering career, the 2 yrs on WB is just a bit of fun and a chance to get ahead in my sea time.

Anyway, that's just a bit about me!

Cheers,

Greg AKA Gwally.

[size4riggerboots]

G'day Gwally!

I'm green with envy, Windeward looks lovely. I came from square riggers too, spent 7 months as a deckhand on TS Pelican of London before I joined the MN proper. I joined the MN because working your way up through the deck on a square rigger is a long slow process and the money's sh1te. When I qualify in december I plan on going back to my roots on tall ships. I haven't put the sea time I got on Pelican toward the required sea time for the cadetship as I would probably get roasted in the final exam, there's so much more paperwork on big ships!!

Anyway, welcome, and be sure to learn as much as you can on the Windeward, it will stand you in very good stead!!

S4

[MrHunter]

I love tall ships!

I was on the Sorlandet this year in the summer races. Only from Greenock to the Shetlands but had a great time! Also had the chance to look around the other tall ships in the race (Pelican included). Just saw this thread and had to express my love.
Windeward looks awesome, must say im pretty jealous. Good luck and have a great time.

[size4riggerboots]

Oh wow, I've just read the cadetships page on the Windeward Bound website, that sounds amazing! Do you know what qualification you'll actually come out of it with? Triply jealous now!!

[Gwally]

Masters Class 5 (command vessels up to 24m long up to 200nm offshore) and Marine Engine Driver 2 certificate (you need that to get the Masters 5) are the main ones, However I think they'll also throw in a GMDSS certificate and an SCTW95 because it's not my first time aboard a square rigger, so I'm not entirely starting from scratch. They'll also cover all course fees, accomodation at the college, and give me enough seatime to complete all of the courses.

Best thing is, I spoke to the captain last night and she informed me that I no longer need to pay a $2,500 bond (apparently the website is out dated or something). Cheering!

[size4riggerboots]

I could go off you....

[Gwally]

"Go off"? Haven't heard that one before....

[Chiefy]

Madam could come to dislike you quite intensly...Go Off

[size4riggerboots]

I'm a Miss not a Madam

I'm only jealous

[GuinnessMan]

I'm a Miss not a Madam

I'm only jealous

I'd be looking for the dancing girls if you were Madam....