For immediate release - 24th February 2012

TALL SHIP CAPTAINS EMBARK ON THAMES TRAINING

In preparation for the Sail Royal Greenwich event this summer, Sail Greenwich is working closely with the Port of London Authority (PLA) to put tall ship captains through a special and comprehensive programme of  training and examinations for piloting the tidal Thames.

This will enable twenty of Sail Greenwich’s fully qualified and experienced sea captains to safely command a ship on London’s busy commuter and commercial river.

The tall ship ‘Thalassa’ will be used for the training and arrives in March. Training will be throughout March and will  include learning about the River from the Woolwich area up to the Lower Pool of London - along with the local navigational and safety requirements, PLA regulations and procedures. The masters have already completed the first part of their training in Holland with an introductory course led by the PLA.

During training, skippers will be accompanied by a PLA river pilot. They will also receive presentations from the Police, Thames Clippers and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). A PLA harbourmaster will instruct the captains on the specific rules and regulations governing navigation on the tidal Thames. The training programme will conclude with examinations and assessments to ensure that all captains attain the required standard of knowledge and competence to sail safely on the tidal Thames.

Following a certificate award ceremony, our captains will depart once more for the high seas – only to return in readiness for the Sail Royal Greenwich event which will run from the 25 July to 12 August 2012.

Director Paulus Mooyman added:  “We are very grateful to the PLA for all the assistance we have received in anticipation of our inaugural event. We are very much looking forward to the summer of 2012!.”

The ship will be moored at the Royal Arsenal in the Evenings