Twelve Boatbuilding students from Falmouth Marine School went on a five day sailing adventure around the east coast of the UK last week.

The residential trip organised by Cornwall College Events Coordinator David Sanders, included students from the Introduction to Boatbuilding level 1 and the Traditional Boatbuilding C&G level 3 courses, ranged in age from 17-47. As well as passion for sailing, David has many connections with local sailing trusts who offer bursaries in order to organise such trips for students at an affordable price. It was offered to all students at the College but taken up by mainly those at Falmouth Marine School.

The students went on ‘Excelsior’, a Lowestoft Fishing Smack built in 1921 and left with weather typical of the British Isles: fog, followed by warm sunshine and light winds. Excelsior explored the historic East Coast ports of Harwich, Woolverstone and Burham-on-Crouch before returning to Lowestoft.

As well as David the students were accompanied on the boat by the captain, first mate and a bosun. They spent, five days on the boat, doing everything from cooking to navigation as well as having a few hours ashore each day. As well as developing teambuilding skills and having fun, the trip is also a chance for students to complete their RYA Competent Crew Certificates. This ‘Excelsior’ is a 77ft historic fishing vessel, meticulously restored to her original sailing appearance and rated by the National Historic Ship Committee as one of the nation's 60 most important historic vessels that now form the National Core Collection. She is the oldest wooden fishing boat in commercial use. A smack was an English sailing vessel that was used to bring the fish to market for most of the 19th century.

Danny Rundle who has just completed the Introduction to Boatbuilding course said: “My time aboard the ‘Excelsior’ was really rewarding. I connected with all my fellow crew members and had a fun time doing so. The trip has really opened up the possibility of a life at sea so I am going on to the level 3 Yacht Fitting & Composites course at the College to gain a further qualification with which to enter the industry.”

David Sanders said: “It was an amazing experience for us all, students benefited from the culture, bonding and character-building unique to life onboard. They learnt how to sail ‘Excelsior’ to her full potential and students learnt new skills in navigation, rope work and nautical terminology achieving RYA Competent Crew Certificates.”