Meeting the Needs of Trainees

It was noted that good LOs can make a big difference to the experience of an trainee in a host port so an emphasis was put on the need of a good liaison system and the importance of a competent and well prepared CLO to ensure his team was equally well prepared and briefed and easily identifiable LOs.

Quality, clean and working showers and toilets and laundry facilities were also noted as extremely important issues. There needs to be sufficient showers and toilets for the number of Class B, C and D vessels, easily accessible and well signed. Well planned and executed sports and social programmes was another issue that should be given priority.

Ports have strengths and weaknesses and were urged to work towards their own strengths. Simple sports such as Klaipeda's competition of arm wrestling was noted as being particularly popular and easy to arrange. Making use of natural resources, such as good beaches for volleyball and beach football, was also recommended.

A well equipped, comfortable and accessible Crew Centre was also seen as critical to the way trainees will remember a port as well as having plenty of signage so crews can find their way around to the Sail Training International offices, toilets, showers, crew centre and any bus transports.

Speakers

Ina Sidlauskiene, Chief Expert, International Relations and Tourisn, Klaipeda, Lithuania

Kimmo Hyyppa, Project Manager The Tall Ships Races Turku, Finland