Thursday, May 5, 2016

Port Staff All At Sea on an Original Tall Ship as Seafaring Charity Says Thank You

A Day on the Estuary to Mark Company's Support
Shipping News Feature
UK – Staff at ABP’s Humber ports had the chance to ‘go before the mast’ recently with a day’s sail out onto the Humber Estuary so they could learn how to crew the 80-foot gaff-rigged vessel Maybe. Fifteen staff from across the four ports of Hull, Goole, Grimsby and Immingham set sail from Hull Marina out onto the Humber Estuary to try out their sea legs in a training day trip as a thank you from seafaring charity Maybe Sailing which ABP has supported with free berthing and a charitable donation given to enable local schools to enjoy sailing days aboard the Tall Ship.

Rachel Addison, ABP Communications Manager Humber has been working with Maybe Sailing for the past 12 months to deliver a series of training days aimed at local schools. Rachel commented:

“When we were first approached by the charity to help them provide a series of free sail training days to schools we were keen to do all we could to help. We are now in the planning stages for the 2016 season and hope to offer some training to schools in Grimsby and Hull.

“We were thrilled when the team offered us a free day on the Humber as a thank you and I was inundated with requests for a place. Those who were fortunate enough to be drawn from the hat had a fantastic day learning about navigating and rigging and thoroughly enjoyed spending some quality time with their colleagues and the crew.”

Built in 1929 in Amsterdam the Maybe has a fascinating history which is well worth reading. Frankie Hartwell is Maybe Sailing’s Marketing, PR and Education officer and she also crews when time allows and she observed:

”It was great to be able to invite ABP staff on board and provide them with a taster of what sailing training is all about. ABP has supported Maybe Sailing over the last few years and helped to increase the opportunities for young people across Humberside and NE Lincolnshire to take part in sail training experiences on board Tall Ship Maybe. This in turn has helped to engage young people with the Humber Estuary and understand the important part it plays in the economic development of the region.”