Everything ship-shape for voyage

ALL ABOARD: Chanel College student Sionaigh McCann, 16, is heading off on the Spirit of New Zealand training vessel in September after hearing tall tales and true about the voyage from fellow student Luke Hempleman, 15, who completed a journey on the tall sailing ship in July. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

Chanel College student Sionaigh McCann is hoping to change her world as a crew member aboard the Spirit of New Zealand.

Ms McCann, 16, said there were today four fellow Chanel College students who had sailed aboard the working tall ship, although the Year 11 student was the only Wairarapa student to her knowledge who will sail in her trainee crew muster in September.

The voyage runs for ten days and a berth costs each trainee almost $2000, Ms McCann said. She had decided to raise funds for the adventure and held a fundraiser screening of the New Zealand film Dark Horse at Regent3 Cinemas in Masterton.

"The movie fundraiser was very successful and I really want to thank my parents (John and Erena McCann) for organising it and Irene Walker, who made all the treats. The staff at the Regent3 theatre were very helpful as well."

Ms McCann said she was also applying for funds from the Blue Light New Zealand organisation that involved Police and Lions members.

Fellow Chanel College student Luke Hempleman, 15, had completed a voyage aboard the Spirit of New Zealand in July and classmate Calan Robertson-Bennett, 15, sailed as a trainee crew member the previous month.

Mr Hempleman said the ship held berths for up to 40 apprentice crew members at a time and Day nine was the voyage climax, when the seasoned crew steps back and trainees took the helm.

Mr Hempleman said trainees appoint the Day nine crew by vote and the muster includes a captain, a first, second and third mate - the second mate doubling as navigator - an engineer, chef, four watch assistants, and two leading hands.

The friends' accounts of their journey, tales of swimming with dolphins, and the positive post-voyage changes in their outlook had more than piqued the interest of Ms McCann in boarding the boat herself, she said.

"Their stories were just amazing, and it does change you. I've noticed that in Calan. Sometimes I get a bit of social anxiety and going on a ship like that with a whole lot of people I don't know - it's a little daunting at the moment - but once I overcome it, I can move on," she said.