Meet the trainees keeping the history of Tall Ships alive at festival

STV News

20-07-2025

Celebrations in Aberdeen are continuing as the Tall Ships Races brings in even more visitors to the city to see a stunning array of some 50 vessels on the quayside.
Things may have gotten off to a rather thundery start on Sunday, with lightning streaking across the skies as a weather warning remained in place, but it didn't deter the thousands arriving in the Granite City to admire the tall ships.
But behind the colourful spectacle is an international mission to keep the history of tall ships alive, by encouraging young people to take part. STV News
For the Pogoria, named after a lake in Poland, it takes a crew of 51 to man the 46-metre-long boat. Run by the Polish Maritime Academy, her masts stand at an impressive 30 metres.
And with 13 sails hoisted across its three masts, its a tall order for the trainees on board – but an opportunity they are relishing.
Hania Piatrzkiewicz explained: 'I sailed two times on the Baltic Sea and it was incredible experience, so I wanted to try something more demanding. So, I chose to go on the Tall Ship Races and it happened to be on Pogoria. So I'm really glad that I made that decision and ended up here.' STV News
Mateusz Doniec added: 'This was my first time on sea. Before I only got my sailing license and sailed with my parents on some lakes in Poland, but it wasn't really anything crazy. So this was the first time experience for me.
'I think it was really life changing because I want to keep doing that. I want to pursue that.'
A vessel from closer to home, the Swan, is celebrating her 125th birthday this year. And while the ship, from Shetland, isn't the oldest at Tall Ships, she still has an interesting history.
Some ten trainees are part of the 15-person crew, who are keeping things ship-shape.
Ellie, the skipper of the Swan, told STV News: 'She was originally built as a herring drifter. And every night they would go out to the fishing grounds. They would then drop the nets, drop the sails, drop the mast all the way down, and go to sleep. Stay drifting all night.
'The next morning, sails would come back up again, fish back on board, and they would race back to port as quick as they could to try for the fish not to go off.' STV News
The Tall Ships Festival isn't just about getting people into sailing or offering them a new experience – it's about developing life skills as well.
Vanessa Mori from Sail Training International explains: 'It is a life changing experience for most of the people taking part. It gives them the dream that they can do whatever they put their mind to.'
A parade through the city centre ended the second day of the Tall Ships Races and while it was a damp affair, it certainly didn't dampen spirits of those taking part.
On Monday, a new cohort of young sailors will arrive onboard the ships for the next leg of the race to Norway, setting sail on Tuesday.
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