Swan LK243 named 2023 Sail Training Vessel of the Year
Sail Training Shetland was delighted to hear that Shetland’s Tall Ship, Swan LK243, has been named Sail Training Vessel of the Year by the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) and the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).
Launched in 1900, Swan is a rare survivor of Shetland’s fishing heritage which was relaunched in the 1990s as a sail training vessel. Since its formation in 2009, Sail Training Shetland has had a close association with the vessel, regularly placing trainees aboard her.
The MCA/ASTO Sail Training vessel of the year award is presented to an operator for fulfilling both the Sail Training aspirations of ASTO and the seamanship and safety requirements of the MCA. The final decision on the winner is made together with representatives from the MCA and ASTO.
Kerry McMillan, General Manager of ASTO said “The competition this year for the UK Sail Training Vessel of the Year was tight. Swan’s range of operations was impressive including participating in the Tall Ships Races across Europe and venturing north to the Faroes. The panel were particularly impressed with how the crew dealt with mechanical issues in challenging conditions during the first Tall Ships leg. The vessel, the crew and the organisation played such an important role in making all of the participants in the Tall Ships feel so welcome in Shetland. A fantastic year for the Swan”
The Swan was also one of six vessels to be named Flagships of the Year 2023 by National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK) prior to taking part in last year’s Tall Ships Races, where her home port of Lerwick was an official Host port.
Sail Training Shetland helped to deliver the highly successful Tall Ships event in Lerwick, delivering 100 fully funded trainee placements during the 2024 Tall Ships Races, including placements aboard Swan. For their contribution Sail Training Shetland also received an award, being named Sail Training International’s ‘Sail Training Organisation of the Year – Small Vessel’.
David Goodlad, Chairman of The Swan Trust SCIO which operates the boat commented; “This accolade is a welcome acknowledgement of the hard work put in by Maggie Adamson (Skipper), Scott Sandison (Mate), Anja Kurtz (Bosun) and the rest of our volunteer crew last season and we thank them for their contribution to sail training in Shetland. Our successful partnership with Sail Training Shetland to provide sail training for our young people is highlighted with both organisations receiving recognition for the work we do.”
The MCA/ASTO trophy will go on display at the Shetland College UHI Scalloway Campus from April.
If you are aged 15-25 and would like to experience a sail training taster day on the Swan apply for our 2024 scheme before Friday 29th March.
Anyone can sail aboard Swan, check out their upcoming trips.
