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Nelson Celebrations in Trafalgar Square
UKSA CEO David Green took part in a spectacular event which commemorated the 200 th anniversary of Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar. In a three and a half minute interview which was aired live on BBC News 24, David spoke to an audience of over 10,000, including members of the Royal Family, about the work of the UK Sailing Academy and the great career opportunities available in the marine industry. The event held in London's Trafalgar Square was one of a number of prestigious events held during 'T200' that the UKSA have been involved in. In June, the UKSA took part in the Fleet Review, sailing Gipsy Moth IV past Her Majesty The Queen in the yacht's first official engagement since her extensive restoration. On the 25 th September, while Nelson's funeral was being recreated on the River Thames, Gipsy Moth departed Plymouth on her second circumnavigation. On Friday 21 st October, Gipsy Moth and her crew travelled to a point of Cape Trafalgar and laid a wreath for Lord Nelson. As Gipsy Moth IV travels around the world, the crew's thoughts will be with Nelson and all the others who took part in events 200 years ago.
Here is a transcript of David's interview in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 23rd October 2005:
MC: But it's not expeditions that can be accomplished under sail. David Green works for a charity that trains students in all aspects of life driven by the wind - UK Sailing Academy. David what does the Academy do?
DG: We train people to command everything from an optimist dinghy right up to the largest superyachts circling the globe. We offer courses that range from a weekend's sailing right up to our 3-year Cadetship Programme, which combines periods of training with work placements at sea.
MC: This is an impressive list. I take it that you are a fairly busy organisation?
DG: We certainly are. At our base in Cowes we provide over 62,000 residential training days a year and only close for one week at Christmas. We teach sailing to young people from over 100 schools from around the UK and train more than 300 skippers and 100 instructors for the maritime industry.
MC: Do you enable people to find careers in sailing professionally?
DG: Yes we certainly do. It is one of the most exciting things about the Maritime Industry at the moment. With the advent of changes in manning regulations and more than 650 new yacht builds over 24m the industry is in desperate need for properly trained and qualified crew. As a result our careers service has been able to provide an average of 4 jobs for every yachting graduate we trained this year.
MC: So is this a good time to be looking for work in professional sailing?
DG: Absolutely. With jobs that can take you all over the world and salaries spiralling upwards there has probably never been a better time to take to a life on the ocean waves. Certainly better pay and conditions than in Nelson's day!!
MC: But the UKSA doesn't just stop there does it? Could you give us some examples of the types of people that the UKSA has managed to support.
DG: We have been proud supporters of Dame Ellen MacArthur, the UKSA's Ambassador, right from the start of her first mini-Transat campaign. We supported Nick Moloney on his Vendee Globe campaign and more recently Hilary Lister, the disabled sailor, who has just sailed across the English channel. In total we invested over £0.5m into youth racing in Britain and helped some of our successful Olympians like Shirley Robertson and Ben Ainslie on their way to the top.
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NOTE TO MEDIA
For further press information, please contact:
Anna Symcox
PR Manager & PA to the CEO
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 203016
Fax: +44 (0) 1983 295938
Mob: +44 (0) 7709 485674
Email: anna.symcox@uksa.org
Web: www.uksa.org |
Susan Preston Davis
Global Media Co-ordinator
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 789111
Mobile: + 44(0) 7771 732007
Email: susan@mpr.eclipse.co.uk |
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United Kingdom Sailing Academy
UKSA is recognised as the world's leading Sailing Academy. It is a registered charity and non - profit making organisation supported by the Lister Trust. Based in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight it has superb, modern facilities with residential accommodation and operates a fleet of over 300 craft. UKSA provide a wide range of courses aimed at adults, young people and the disabled. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Patron to the Academy and Ellen MacArthur is their Ambassador.
Yachting Monthly
Gipsy Moth IV's second world voyage celebrates the 100th birthday of leading marine publication Yachting Monthly magazine and the 40th anniversary of Sir Francis' celebrated single-handed voyage.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is the economic development agency for the Isle of Wight. Their unique position allows them to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors and ensure a coordinated approach in improving the Island's economy.
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