those seeking opportunities in the maritime sector. Through voyaging with TSYT, many young people have gone on to have incredible careers at sea spanning decades and continents.
Among those people is Jo Cox, who first boarded the Sir Winston Churchill, TSYT’s first vessel, in 1995 and set sail on a voyage from Oban to Hartlepool sponsored by her employer at the time. It was during this voyage that she first envisioned her future in the maritime sector.
Discovery – the most technologically advanced research ship in the UK at the time with tours
extending north to Greenland and south to South Georgia, carrying out a full spectrum of scientific activity along the way.
Jo recently took on the role of Harbour Master at Chichester Harbour, having previously served as a Harbour Master at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
Today, TSYT’s Challengers and ketch continue to provide a unique outdoor learning environment for young people to develop life skills, embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle and open their minds to a newfound passion for sailing.
Jo Cox
“From the first moment of stepping on board I was hooked. I was invited back as a Watch Leader and as I did more trips, I met more people with Merchant Navy backgrounds and started to investigate a career at sea.”
With sponsorship from Maritime London, Jo commenced her deck officer cadetship in 2000, starting a placement with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). She describes the placement as ‘a real turning point for my career’ and following qualification as an officer of the watch, she secured a role with BAS as a Third Officer.
Over the course of her 10-year journey with BAS, Jo achieved her Chief Officer and Master Mariners certifications while conducting science operations and resupplying Antarctic research bases.
Following a multi-faceted stint as Government Officer on the sub- Antarctic Island of South Georgia, Jo returned to sea as Captain on board the royal research ship,
Henry Mainstone, now serving as a Welfare Officer for the Royal Navy, first voyaged with Tall Ships Youth Trust in 2010. Having spent most of his life since 2015 at sea in the Middle East, Antarctica and the Americas, he is now focusing on training ships in navigation. Henry attributes his naval career to his formative experiences with TSYT.
He says: “The experiences and leadership opportunities I had as a Watch Leader really helped me both as a mariner and a leader.
“The sea sense and knowledge of the maritime environment I gained set me ahead of my peers, and the leadership experience was invaluable.”
In 2022, TSYT launched its new five- year strategy, which included an increased focus on enabling voyage crew, as well as leaders within educational and youth-oriented environments, to promote the benefits of the maritime sector. This includes pathways into Sail Training, UK Defence and Mercantile marine, STEM learning, and contributing to the protection and preservation of the ocean environment.
As part of its new strategy, the three- voyage programme is tailored to young people’s needs and journeys to adulthood. Starting on a Voyage of Exploration, voyage crew explore aspects of personal development alongside building understanding and awareness of ocean health and the impacts of human activity and climate change.
As they progress onto a Voyage of Empowerment, young people are given the space to reflect on decisions they can make and actions they can take to protect and respect the environment and their community. They are then empowered to take action on the Voyage of Leadership – equipping them with the skills to lead, plan and influence in their communities and consider their career options.
TSYT’s CEO, Alastair Floyd, says: “Each voyage experience will encourage and challenge young people to strive for better outcomes for themselves and their communities. We’ll identify and develop future leaders, offering clear pathways into our volunteering roles and for those who want it, careers in the maritime sector and ocean environment.”
To support its transformational work with young people, TSYT runs a programme of adventurous adult voyages around the UK and across Europe, including a series of winter- sun voyages in and around the Canary Islands.
Not only do these voyages provide an exhilarating journey for sailing enthusiasts aged 18-80, but the proceeds from adult voyages directly enable more young people to benefit from TSYT’s youth development programme.
To book an adult voyage with TSYT or explore other ways to support the charity’s mission to change young lives at sea, visit
tallships.org.
THE REPORT | DEC 2023 | ISSUE 106 | 105
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