Thanks to the Scottish OYT group who drew-up these guidelines, which apply equally to all of the OYT boats. The following guidelines are to help you and also prevent problems arising when a young person joins an Ocean Youth Trust vessel. Most important: THOSE SELECTED BY YOU TO GO SAILING WITH THE OYT-NW MUST WANT TO COME SAILING | |
- If possible the young person should attend a pre-voyage presentation and have the opportunity to ask questions before he/she confirms the wish to go sailing.
- All people who sail aboard with OYT-NW must complete an OYT-NW booking form paying special attention to the next of kin details and Doctor's name and telephone number. All dietary and medical conditions should be completed on the form where they will be treated with strict confidence. Every young person who is under the age of 18 must have the form signed by a parent or guardian. The young person must also understand the rules which will apply. It may be useful to use them to inform all young people of their responsibilities aboard.
- Sailing with OYT-NW should not be regarded as a holiday; all who sail with us must accept that they have to try and work together as a team to ensure that the day to day running of the boat is enjoyable and safe. Sending an uncommitted young person can prove problematic and can cause distress to both the young person themselves and to the other people on the boat. People pay to sail on the boat, and the volunteer sea-staff (Watch leaders and Bosun) are all giving up their own holiday and free time to sail with the young people and to help them learn a little about sailing.
- If possible, all those who are selecting people to go sailing should know what is involved in sailing with us, either by sailing with us themselves for a few days, talking to the skipper, or having someone give a talk about the OYT-NW. In general make sure you can answer most of the questions that the young person may ask about the OYT-NW. We suggest you find out for yourself how difficult it can be. For example, if the weather keeps you in port for a few days, what happens then? Ensure that your young people realise that sometimes the boat visits places where there is no McDonald's and no shops or cinemas - "just" sea and land! By doing some of these things yourself you will appreciate the need to ensure above all that any person who is selected to go sailing with the OYT-NW wants to go sailing!
- All leaders must make sure that all their young people are properly equipped.
Check the kit list. - A satisfied young person can be one of the best means of encouraging other young people to go sailing. They can talk to other young people with first hand knowledge of the life on board. If you know of one near you, enlist him/her in helping with your selection. Whatever happens, do not let any young person you select go aboard with the mood of "I'm not doing anything, I'm here under sufferance" - this is a sure recipe for a disastrous trip for all on the boat.
- ENJOY YOURSELF !!
If you require any further information about the OYT-NW or its work, or require a presentation or talk, please contact Dave Murray at the OYT-NW office. After your voyage, it would be very useful to us, and may also be useful to you, if you could send a short report on the following:- - How did you choose your group for the trip and how were they prepared, e.g. visit to the boat, talk/presentation etc.
- Pre voyage expectations of young people
- Post voyage evaluations by young people.
- Any comments you may have on the trip, constructive or otherwise, are very important to us. OYT-NW strives to provide a programme to young people that is of a high quality and appreciates feedback from its members.
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