The Ocean Cruising Club Youth Sponsorship Programme offers young people aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to gain valuable experience as crew on a long-distance sailing passage, with financial support contributing towards the cost of the voyage.
The programme also supports skippers planning ocean passages by connecting them with enthusiastic young crew members. Suitable skippers are essential to the success of the initiative, which is built around creating meaningful offshore sailing opportunities.
The aim is to support a young person to take part in a qualifying ocean passage of at least 1000 nautical miles, on a vessel of no more than 70 feet, owned and skippered by an experienced OCC member. These passages contribute towards eligibility for full membership of the Ocean Cruising Club.
While applicants are not expected to have offshore experience, they should hold a basic sailing qualification, such as the RYA Competent Crew Certificate, or have equivalent practical experience as a crew member.
For more information and to apply, visit the OCC Youth Sponsorship Programme here.