Atlantic Voyage 2012-2013

Sailing With The Tall Ships Fleet

As the Atlantic Voyage 2012-2013 approaches, we’re pleased to announce an exciting change to the itinerary. The opportunity to sail in company with an international fleet of tall ships on the east coast of the United States and Canada to celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 this summer is just too good to pass up!

The changes will mostly affect Leg 1 – instead of sailing from Lunenburg directly for the Azores and Europe, we’ll head for Bermuda and then to the east coast of the USA to meet up with the fleet. Shorter passages between ports on the eastern seaboard will build excitement and skill leading to the culmination of Leg 1 - the transatlantic crossing to Baltimore and then Dublin, Ireland, where Leg 1 will end and Leg 2 will begin.

The chance to join a fleet of some of the world's most impressive traditional vessels is truly a thrill – not only do we get to sail amongst them from port to port, we also get to share our ship with crews from other vessels and the public, get to know hundreds of sailors from around the globe and be at the heart of festivities in cities and towns that love to welcome tall ships.

A Classic Transatlantic Passage

In early August we’ll set our own course across the Atlantic, parting with the fleet and picking up our own agenda. We’ll sail from Nova Scotia to Baltimore, Ireland, which Picton Castle first visited in 2008 and found to be a charming port surrounded by lush green landscape and filled with friendly people and cozy pubs. Then it's on to the Irish captial, Dublin. The end date of Leg 1 remains almost the same – August 25, 2012.  

Mecca for Square Rig Sailors  

Leg 2 will begin with a visit to Milford Haven, Wales, the port closest to the medieval castle for which our ship is named. After getting to know our land-based namesake, we'll sail for the Kiel Canal in Germany on the way to the Aaland Islands in the Baltic Sea. To go to Mariehamn in the Aaland Islands is a pilgrimage for square-rig sailors. It's the home of the last large fleet of square rigged vessels to sail commercially, under the ownership of Gustav Erikson.

On the way back toward the Atlantic, the ship will visit Copenhagen and other ports in Denmark, then head for Spain and Portugal as fall comes to Europe and we head south to stay with the warmer weather.

African Adventures

Exotic Morocco is next, with its brightly coloured fishing boats, endless streets of shops filled with carpets, shoes, spices, camel-wool robes and inviting merchants with whom no major transaction is made without a cup or two of mint tea. In Senegal, the link between Old World and New is forged with a visit to Goree Island, known as a gateway for slaves traded from Africa to the Americas and the Caribbean.

The Real Caribbean

A second Atlantic crossing will take us from Senegal to the sweet islands of the Eastern Caribbean, propelled by the mid-Atlantic trade winds. After a long stretch at sea, we'll be ready for island-hopping in the West Indies, sailing between beautiful tropical blue anchorages, feeling the sand between our toes on days off-duty ashore, dancing to the beat of the reggae and calypso heard on every street corner. Captain Moreland spent the first part of his seagoing career amongst these islands, Picton Castle has spent significant time here and we can open doors to authentic experiences.

Expanding our exploration, we'll traverse the Caribbean Sea with the trade winds from Bonaire to the Dominican Republic, and on to Cartagena and Panama. Following in the wake of early explorers, we'll visit ports where the Spanish influence of early settlements is still evident in both architecture and customs. Calling at Cozumel will allow the crew to explore the Yucatan, then it's on to Cuba, the Bahamas and home, once again, to Lunenburg.

Put The Ship First

This voyage of more than 15,000 nautical miles provides incredible variety and contrast - being in company with other tall ships in the heart of a busy American city to being the lone vessel anchored in tropical blue ocean off a quiet uninhabited island of sand in the Caribbean, surrounded by history of seafaring in the Aaland Islands and being at the heart of an ever-changing Dakar. Through it all what remains constant is the dedication of the crew to the ship and to learning the time-honoured seafaring skills that enable us to make her perform at her best.

"I can promise all those who join our ship on this voyage that they will sail a great ship on a voyage rarer than the sailing ship herself," says Captain Daniel Moreland, "that they will have the chance to learn about ships and the sea to a level rarely available or achieved elsewhere - they will visit new lands and ports and countries as crew of a sailing ship, which is so completely different than visiting as a backpacker or fly-in tourist.

"Steering a tall ship, learning the 205 lines and what looks like acres of sail, steering, keeping a good lookout, hauling braces, ropework, splicing, seizing, sailmaking, painting, varnishing, tarring the rig (and yourself we must admit!), heaving up the anchor link by link, setting and furling the 21 sails all made on board by hand by the crew, making life-long friends in the ship, helping the cook get the endless meals on the table, sunny days under sail, running with a fair wind gale or hove-to instead, standing anchor watch and becoming a valuable integral member of the crew is what Picton Castle is all about. And times ashore off watch in the many and wildly varied ports all over Europe, West Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Central America and the Bahamas will become an encyclopedia of experiences that defies description in these short paragraphs."

Sail For As Long As A Year Or As Little As Two Weeks

No experience is necessary to join the crew, just a desire to learn and contribute to the working of the ship. Picton Castle's program is designed to be delivered over a long period of time, so sign aboard for the full year to reap the greatest benefit. If you can't manage a full year, join for a four-month leg of the voyage. And now, with this exciting itinerary change to include tall ships events in North America, you can join our crew for as little as two weeks. Even more rare is the opportunity to join Picton Castle just for the Atlantic crossing. Details of the itinerary for the summer of 2012 are now available.

Itinerary, Atlantic Voyage 2012-2013

View the route

Who Can Sail

If you're young or young at heart, ready for an adventure and willing to embrace life at sea, this voyage may be for you. No sailing experience is necessary, just the desire to learn and be part of the crew. This voyage depends on the passion and dedication of the crew to the ship and to each other.

All applicants should be in good health. We will require a note from your doctor that assures us of that and says you are able to do moderate to strenuous physical activity. A valid passport is essential. All applicants will be subject to a personal interview before being accepted.

Pricing

Prices for the voyage are as follows:

Uncertain about the cost? Look more closely at our voyage fees.

Apply Now

Step aboard for this adventurous journey. Start by filling out the online trainee application form. For more information, contact the voyage coordinator. We look forward to receiving your application.