Apart from the Tall Ship Races we do sail training. We have a growing group of crew volunteers who work to develop their knowledge and skills. We run a pilot project to get youngsters interested for a maritime education.

Sail Training Association the Netherlands is developing a Sail Training Program with At Sea Sail Training. For Morgenster’s trainees we made a practical booklet to familiarise them with the ship. Click here for a free download of Morgenster’s Manual.

Ships like Morgenster look overwhelming  complicated to a trainee on his first steps. The crew helps them with their instructions and soon they start to discover the system in the rig and the rhythm of life on board. The jobs to do are not very difficult, but seldom single hand.
So the situation on the ship and the things that have to be done create the need to work together. To work together efficiently you need organisation and timing, which goes better with even small scale leadership. The crew begins with instruction and the trainees work under their leadership, but soon the crew draw a little back. They give the trainees room to organise the work themselves. Meanwhile the crew observes for safety and to give feed back.

Sail training for youngsters is a very intense experience. In shifts they work day and night. It goes without saying that we pull together. They run a household on a rolling sea, often not even used to a household ashore. So there is a lot to clean up. The whole situation invites you to take your responsibility, to work together and take up the challenges. Strong friendships are forged and personal development is achieved.