Opportunity for young sailors seeking adventure

by Sail-World Cruising on 25 Mar 2009 Young aspiring sailors will have the opportunity for a memorable adventure when the round-Africa Phoenicia Expedition begins again in August this year, or you could be part of a one week adventure in May to move the boat from its current location to Aden in Yemen.

Over two and a half thousand years ago one of the greatest journeys in mankind's history began on the Egyptian shores of the Red Sea. Greek Historian Herodotus tells us how, in 600 BC, Phoenician mariners achieved the first circumnavigation of Africa, a voyage into unknown waters previously considered too dangerous to attempt. The voyage took three years to complete, with sailors planting crops for provisioning along the way, and waiting for the harvest.

In 2008-2010 a reconstruction of this Phoenician trading vessel, built at the ancient Phoenician port of Arwad, embarked on a journey to re-trace the Phoenicians' route

around Africa.

So far, they have reached Yemen, where the vessel was left to wait for favourable winds in August. Next comes Phase 2, in August.

The Phoenicia team have been busy making plans for the next stage of the project. The circumnavigation is expected to take a further 11 months to complete and will see the ship sail back into the Mediterranean in the summer of 2010.

Despite the recent delay in the schedule the multi-national crew are still on course to beat the Phoenicians.



There is a unique opportunity to join this voyage for a short passage to move the ship from Hodeidah to Aden in early May 2009. This week long passage will give a taster of life onboard without the costs and time obligation of other legs of the expedition.

Those sailors who are looking for a more ambitious adventure will be pleased to hear that there are still places available on longer legs of the expedition.

Please visit http://www.phoenicia.org.uk/inspiring-the-crew.htm to see the current crew opportunities.

The Phase 2 Programme:

25/08/2009 - Phase 2 launches from Aden
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03/09/2009 - Estimated arrival Salalah, Oman
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31/10/2009 - North east monsoons forecast in GOA
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01/11/2009 - Depart Salalah, Oman
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25/11/2009 - Estimated arrival Zanzibar, Tanzania
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30/11/2009 - Expedition continues to Mozambique & S.A.
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