From the instant you step aboard one of our tall ships you'll be welcomed into a new and exciting environment.
Whatever kind of sailing experience you are looking for, the JST has something for you. Whether you choose a day sailing out in the Solent or up to a month long passage voyage, with the JST you can get your teeth into as much or as little of the action as you feel comfortable with.
Choose your adventure
Day Sails will give you the chance to get a flavour of what it’s like to be on board. You may get the chance to climb the masts*, set the sails and you will also get the chance to try your hand at the helm. Although this is just a day, you will experience the thrill of sailing a tall ship and a get a feel for what the whole experience is about.
*assisted mast climbs are very much a part of a normal voyage, however a day sail does not provide us with enough time to safely complete assisted climbs for everyone who may want to take part. For this reason, we no longer carry out assisted climbs during a day sail.
Voyages of a week or more give you the chance to embark on your voyage of discovery. The experience will give you the opportunity to work as a member of the voyage crew, discovering new skills and making great friends along the way. There are a wide range of voyages to choose from, such as eight days sailing around the Canary Islands or a week sailing in the Western Isles of Scotland.
The ultimate adventure is yours for the taking: our passage voyages between Southampton and the Canary Islands and Lavrion to Antwerp are the perfect trips for those seeking uncompromising sailing. Step into the shoes of the early explorers and get a taste for discovery.
"Although you may step aboard a complete novice, you will be absorbed into the crew and soon know your way around like a seasoned campaigner."
Sailing Soon?
Why not download your crew information booket
The JST regret that due to increasing fuel costs we have had to apply a fuel surcharge to new bookings and those provisional bookings that are as yet unconfirmed.
We have a threshold in place at which the surcharge is levied and we have breached this threshold twice over the past six months. At that time we took the decision not to pass on this levy to our customers and these additional costs were borne by the JST. As a charity however, this is not sustainable and so we need to apply a fuel surcharge going forward.
To make this as fair as possible the fuel surcharge will be set at the 12 week invoicing point and will be applied according to the number of people booked on the voyage; and against the number of days/length of the voyage. For anyone making an advance booking before the 12 week invoicing point we will only be able to give an estimate of this cost. As a guide, the fuel surcharge on a 7 day voyage with 30 people booked would currently be £12.60.
For anyone who has already booked and paid and to whom the fuel surcharge would not apply under previous Terms and Conditions, the Trust would greatly appreciate a voluntary “donation” towards the fuel surcharge.
The JST greatly appreciates the valued support of all its voyage crew and sincerely regrets this necessary action. In the current financial climate our funding is greatly reduced and we need to recover our costs where possible in order to continue changing peoples lives.
Alex Lochrane, CEO
Meet the crew
Whilst aboard you'll meet people from many different walks of life including the permanent crew who are a group of experienced professional seafarers who will ensure you get the most from your adventure. Regardless of physical ability they will encourage you to get involved in as much or as little sailing as you feel comfortable with.
"50% of the crew may be physically disabled, 100% are actively involved.
We believe that's just the way it should be."
Learn the practical skills needed to sail a tall ship
On board you can take part setting sails, helming the ship and climbing the rigging. You may also have the opportunity to try your hand at celestial navigation and other activities such as sail making/repairing and working with ropes and rigging.
Expect each day to be different from the last
Each day you will find your experience and confidence grows and so will your involvement in the activities on board. Wherever you go you will have the opportunity to discover talents you never knew you possessed whilst contributing to the ultimate team working experience.
Our ships
Lord Nelson and Tenacious are pioneering tall ships. They are the only two Class A tall ships in the world to be designed and purpose built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side by side on equal terms.
Although the term "tall ship" may evoke an image of a ship from a bygone era, both Lord Nelson and Tenacious are equipped with modern communication systems and navigational aids, as well as a host of additional features such as flat, wide decks which facilitate access for wheelchair users, lifts between decks for those with limited mobility and a speaking compass to enable blind and visually impaired crew to take the helm.
Don't forget that you can also join us for maintenance click here for more information
Don't think you can sail with the JST? Check out the number of people with different disabilities or conditions who already have.