Trainee experience- Jenny Donnelly
Back in 2005 when the tall ships race came to Waterford I had the amazing experience of sailing as a trainee on the German ship the “Alexander Von Humboldt”. With no significant experience in sailing I decided I wanted to get involved in the great excitement of the race coming to Waterford and take part on the first leg of the race to Cherbourg- Octeville in France.
The atmosphere in Waterford city throughout the four day festival was spectacular. The sight alone of over 85 tall ships arriving into Waterford on the 6th of July was fascinating. The build up to boarding the ship with crew parades, fireworks, outdoor stages with great music, hot air balloons, funfairs and much more, made me realise how lucky I was to get a chance to go on board a ship and be part of sailing the first leg of the race.
There were many other Irish trainees on the Alexander Von Humboldt and so we all boarded the ship the evening before the race departed. Straight away we got to get involved in preparing the ship for the parade of sail the next day whereby the ships bid farewell to the city before starting the race off the Irish coast. Sailing out past Dunmore East with thousands of people watching from the cliff side was a moment I will never forget. With beautiful weather but little wind for sailing the race got off to a slow start, but we had the benefit of getting to know all the crew and got lots of training!
Once the race began our assigned group for watch did their specific watch duty which can be from 12 midnight to 4am in the morning or 4am till 8am and so on throughout the day. The group I was assigned to which was made up of the Irish trainees led by a supervisor was 12 midnight to 4am. There is always so much going on sleep was definitely not a priority! During watch two are assigned to steer the ship, two are placed at the bow on watch, and the remainder of the group do a general watch by walking around the ship every 20 minutes.
During the days there was such a great relaxed atmosphere on the ship, it was constant fun and excitement and always someone so interesting to talk with including the ships doctor who spent his days playing his bagpipes on the deck!. There was no pressure to do anything you didn’t want, you could climb to a level on the sails you were comfortable with. At night time we had our main meal which was cooked for you by two great chefs and following dinner a sing song inevitably broke out!
On arriving in Cherbourg- Octeville six days later the excitement certainly did not stop!. Our first night docked in the port the captain of our ship hosted a ‘captain’s dinner’ on board which involved a five course meal, beverages and music entertainment which need I say was an amazing experience. The welcome party in Cherbourg was like a continuation of the tremendous organisation of the Waterford festival with crew parties, parades and an exhilarating atmosphere.
With the tall ships coming back to Waterford on the 30th June to the 3rd of July next year- 2011 I highly recommend people to sign up to the trainee program either through this website or the tall ships office on 41 The Quay Waterford. It really is an opportunity of a life time and one you will never forget.
