The Jessica- Abby factor- Children complete 4 day ocean sailing voyage

by Sail-World Cruising on 15 Jun 2010 Britain's Tall Ships Youth Trust, in a move that appears to be capitalising on the high publicity given to sailors like Jessica Watson and Abby Sunderland, is 'opening up opportunities for people as young as 14 years old to sail on an ocean-going yacht and gain a qualification.'

These were the words of spokesman Tim Law. The previous lowest age was 16. He was speaking after 24 school children, including Jessica Ansah, 15, and Lala Semakula, 14(pictured) had set off from Portsmouth and completed a four day ocean voyage

The girls, from St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls, returned from the four day trip today on a Challenger yacht, having learned the ropes – and to set and stow the sails, steer and sail the yacht out to sea – in a charity course last week.

The Sailing Academy scheme is designed to develop communication and problem solving skills in young people and run by sailing charity the Tall Ships Youth Trust.

The pair, along with their 22 school mates were awarded with a Start Yachting qualification from the Royal Yachting Association.

Tim Law added, 'They can use (the qualification) to continue sailing as well as apply to other walks of life.

'We will encourage these students to continue in the sport after their voyage by sailing on another voyage or giving dinghies a go at their local sailing club.'

The scheme is being sponsored by the HSBC Global Education Trust.