Final call for unique Boat Project opportunity
by Matt Carter, RYA 25 Oct 2011 14:06 BST
28 October 2011
With only four days remaining until the application deadline (Friday 28 October), the RYA is urging interested sailors to get their applications in fast for a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a Boat Captain upon the unique and extraordinary ‘Boat Project’.
As people all over the world gather to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a remarkable boat will set sail on its maiden voyage. The boat, crafted by a fearlessly adventurous team of boat builders is a living archive of people's stories and lives, a 30ft seafaring vessel made from donated wooden items.
The boat, designed by Simon Rogers, is being built at Thornham Marina, Chichester Harbour, by a team of professional boat builders and local volunteers led by sailor and boat builder Mark Covell [Olympic Silver Medallist, Sydney 2000]. It will be named by the public and launched from Thornham Marina in May 2012.
The project seeks an exceptional individual to captain this unique asymmetric day-sailer/sports boat on its voyage. The project is part of the Cultural Olympiad and will have key moments both in the build up to the 2012 Olympic Games and during the Games themselves. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a promising and versatile individual to make their mark in the community as both a skilled sailor and an inspiring leader.
The boat’s maiden voyage will see six nominated members of the public crew the boat under the supervision and leadership of the professional boat captain/skipper. The voyage will stretch along the coast eastwards from Weymouth – site of the 2012 sailing activities – and up into London. The boat and its crew will stop at five locations along the way including Brighton, Portsmouth, Hastings and Margate, and at each there will be a programme of arts and community events to mark the boat’s arrival and departure. Each event will be produced in partnership with leading national arts organisations.
The RYA is seeking to appoint the Boat Captain who will be responsible for managing the boat for the duration of the maiden voyage – someone for whom this will be a valuable and substantial step in the development of their career.
The ideal candidate must be a team player, capable of being a project ambassador and confident in presenting the project to the media. In addition they will have an array of essential skills and qualities including excellent seamanship skills, first-hand experience of an asymmetric sports boat as well as excellent leadership and communication skills.
John Derbyshire, RYA Racing Manager/Performance Director, commented: “The Boat Project provides a brilliant opportunity to manage a team in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games on a fantastic project that links the sailing and arts worlds together. Becoming the Boat Captain on a unique project like this, with the boat itself being built by an Olympic medallist, is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will give any CV that ‘something special’.”
For further information please contact Gwen Van Spijk – Project Manager / 07753 717562 / or Jessica Beecher at the RYA - 02380 604167/
Applications forms are available at the www.theboatproject.com [‘About the People’ section] or from . Deadline for applications is 17.00 on Friday 28 October 2011.