THE Swiss registered youth vessel Salomon has spent the week moored in the inner harbour after arriving from the Azores.

The three-masted topsail schooner, pictured above, is operated by the Sternen Youth Centre General Institution, Switzerland, who manage a crisis intervention and therapy programme for behaviourally disturbed teenagers.

Along with her sister vessel Ruach, a two-masted gaff rigged schooner, both ships provide learning facilities for these youngsters who can be placed on the ship for a minimum period of nine months. Onboard ship they learn through experiential pedagogics or “education on the basis of experience.” The institute also runs three schooling and training centres, and a paragliding and scuba diving school all of which work closely with the ships.