HOW TO BOOK
THE 5 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I don’t have any sailing experience. Does that matter?
Experience is not necessary. The experienced crew will teach you everything you need to know about life aboard a ship. From setting sails to steering and if you’re not afraid of heights you can climb the masts. Everybody helps with the daily duties on board like cleaning the decks or assisting the cook in the kitchen. When you are experienced in sailing, you can help the other trainees or learn new things like navigating, knotting, etc.
I’m going alone, is that a problem?
A lot of people travel by themselves or with a couple of friends. From experience, we can tell that learning other people takes very little time. Especially when you keep watch together. During International Exchanges there are different nationalities in one watch, which creates diversity and a lot of fun. A lot of trainees make friends for life!
What is so special about an International Exchange?
The nice thing about an International Exchange is that you not only learn about sailing and life aboard a ship, but also about other cultures and countries. Apart from sailing, there are every day intercultural activities like games in which everybody can participate. In the harbour, you will meet trainees from other countries on ships from all around the world. Together you will have fun at the crewparade and have more fun at the crewparty.
What is the language aboard?
The language aboard most ships is English (and sometimes a mixture of all nationalities present). The crew speaks English and most teaching and instructions are in English. If you’re not a native English speaker, people will explain again or we will look within the group for somebody to translate.
What is it like aboard a ship on the high seas?
Aboard a ship, you keep watch. That is more than just looking out over the water in search of land! During watch, you are responsible for the ship, together with the rest of the watchkeepers and the professional crew. Manoeuvring, climbing the masts, setting the sails, making coffee or provide a snack. Usually, there is a three-watch system aboad.
In an International Exchange, we try to mix the watchkeepers as much as possible. Every watchkeeper has duty twice a day. For example, your watch could be from 08.00 to 12.00 hours and from 20.00 to 24.00 hours. Life aboard is always different and every day and watch is different when it comes to the weather, the wind or the view. From sunshine to rain and from dolphins swimming along the bow to a beautiful sunset!
I live in the USA and how can I pay the voyage?
There is a easy way, you can do it via: http://www.xe.com/fx/.
- You can book your journey by filling out the booking form on the website. You will be asked for passport data and your birth date. These details are necessary in order to provide customs with a list of passengers.
- When we have received your booking, you will receive a confirmation by automatic reply.
- We will send you a contract and health statement within two office days. Apart from that, you will receive an e-mail with an invoice and an e-mail with other information, like a packing list. You need to carefully reed the contract and send it back within two weeks, by mail, e-mail or fax. Our address is: Groen van Prinstererstraat 40-3, 1051 EN Amsterdam. The Netherlands Email: info@seasailtraining.com Fax: 0031 847241451
- Within two weeks, we need to receive a deposit of approximately 20% (in case of youth travels, usually 50%).
- Payment is possible by bank or cheque, unfortunately it’s not possible to pay by credit card. Our bank details are as follows: Bank account 9349588 / BIC: INGB NL2A / IBAN: NL90 INGB 00093495 88
- These details are also mentioned on the invoice.
- When we have received the signed contract, health statement and the deposit, you are ensured of participating in the trip and in that case we will send you an acknowledgement by e-mail.
- The last payment is due 6 weeks before departure.
- When the last payment is fulfilled, you will receive the last details about your journey two weeks before departure. For example, the location of the ship in the harbour and other important details.
- The journeys from and to the harbour (the start and finish of your sail trip) are not included, unless otherwise mentioned. You are expected to take care of that by yourself.
- When you are looking for fellow travellers or if you want to get in touch with other participants on your sail trip, you can joining the “At Sea Sail Training” group on Facebook and leave a message.
THE 5 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I don’t have any sailing experience. Does that matter?
Experience is not necessary. The experienced crew will teach you everything you need to know about life aboard a ship. From setting sails to steering and if you’re not afraid of heights you can climb the masts. Everybody helps with the daily duties on board like cleaning the decks or assisting the cook in the kitchen. When you are experienced in sailing, you can help the other trainees or learn new things like navigating, knotting, etc.
I’m going alone, is that a problem?
A lot of people travel by themselves or with a couple of friends. From experience, we can tell that learning other people takes very little time. Especially when you keep watch together. During International Exchanges there are different nationalities in one watch, which creates diversity and a lot of fun. A lot of trainees make friends for life!
What is so special about an International Exchange?
The nice thing about an International Exchange is that you not only learn about sailing and life aboard a ship, but also about other cultures and countries. Apart from sailing, there are every day intercultural activities like games in which everybody can participate. In the harbour, you will meet trainees from other countries on ships from all around the world. Together you will have fun at the crewparade and have more fun at the crewparty.
What is the language aboard?
The language aboard most ships is English (and sometimes a mixture of all nationalities present). The crew speaks English and most teaching and instructions are in English. If you’re not a native English speaker, people will explain again or we will look within the group for somebody to translate.
What is it like aboard a ship on the high seas?
Aboard a ship, you keep watch. That is more than just looking out over the water in search of land! During watch, you are responsible for the ship, together with the rest of the watchkeepers and the professional crew. Manoeuvring, climbing the masts, setting the sails, making coffee or provide a snack. Usually, there is a three-watch system aboad.
In an International Exchange, we try to mix the watchkeepers as much as possible. Every watchkeeper has duty twice a day. For example, your watch could be from 08.00 to 12.00 hours and from 20.00 to 24.00 hours. Life aboard is always different and every day and watch is different when it comes to the weather, the wind or the view. From sunshine to rain and from dolphins swimming along the bow to a beautiful sunset!
I live in the USA and how can I pay the voyage?
There is a easy way, you can do it via: http://www.xe.com/fx/.
Photos
Logbook
Tecla - 25 Februari 2010 - Getting Ready for the Races!
The Tecla is moored alongside the dockyard in Benicarlo. We are working hard on getting the ship ready for her annual check. And of course to get a fresh paint job on her.
Last year we crossed the ocean, we even won the Trans Atlantic Challenge, and this year we are out to discover more!! And we have new sails coming up! On the docks we will clean the hull so no more Bermudan seaweed clinging on. And loads of new countries to visit, so nothing can stop us! The race will be on!!
The sails are made by Arjen Kooij, the cousin of Jan. They are specially designed for the Tecla and more so to race!! On our blog we have already shown a few pictures of the sail when Gijs and Arjen where still working on them. They are ready now, and as soon as they are on board (after we have docked) we will post some more pictures.
Hope to see you all on board!!
Crew Tecla