Operations

Once 'KJ' is fully restored and seaworthy, we will return to her primary purpose which is to provide sailing experience for people of all ages, but especially the young and underprivileged.

The operational area is determined by wind and tide. From Tilbury, her home berth, Dover, Burnham, Ramsgate, Sheerness and Chatham are all within reach for weekend cruises whilst Brixham to the west, Grimsby to the north and France, Belgium and the Channel Islands can be visited on longer cruises when conditions are favourable.

The ship is crewed by teams of skilled volunteers, led by fully-qualified skippers. The six crew need the assistance of the trainees to get the sails up, the old traditions of sail handling are maintained and there are none of the power winches that modern boats rely on.

Imagine kids who've never seen the world outside a computer game swabbing decks in a crisp north-easterly, somewhere off the coast of Norfolk, on their way to see the seals and birds of the Maplin Sands.

Our guest 'crew' of 10-12, most often disadvantaged young people with no maritime experience, get up at 07:00 and go to bed at 09:30. They eat three proper meals a day and are kept safely occupied setting and adjusting the sails, cleaning and light maintenance. Their accompanying two adults get involved too...

Each young crew member gets a chance to steer the ship and they are all given instruction in the basics of seamanship and navigation.

After the first three hours of each cruise, the absence of computer games and music systems is forgotten and, for 2-3 days or longer, they become real 'kids' - but with an expanded sense of involvement and responsibility.

Setting 3,500 sq. feet of sail is a challenge and there are no power winches to help, just muscle power and teamwork - and there's a real feeling of satisfaction when KJ picks up speed. It helps that she's fast and powerful under sail - high performance was required of a Brixham trawler and this delights our young crews and helps to motivate them.

Below deck at the end of the day, we talk about her history - and especially about Alf Lovis, the original owner and skipper who, until 1939, fished the Atlantic in all weathers with a crew of four. He was a remarkable seaman who achieved the last-ever recorded British salvage tow under sail and went on to win the DSC at Dunkirk.

Perhaps our young guests learn something. Certainly we receive wonderful letters and pictures from them and, gratifyingly, many have retained their connections with KJ in adult life. Two 'former pupils' have become fully-qualified skippers and now support our activities.

So, when you are considering your donation, please remember that you're not just contributing to the preservation of an important piece of maritime history - 'Kenya Jacaranda' is a true working ship and a refit will enable us to return to regular sail experience activities.

Ships, especially sailing ships, are nothing without people. I hope, as you reach for your chequebook, you will try to picture a group of young and possibly underprivileged people on board and imagine the benefits sailing experience might bring them.

Please give generously.

Heritage Sponsorship

Pledge-a-Plank

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