Congratulations South Passage – Adventure Under Sail, winner of the 2017 Ken Murray Billy Can Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Development and Sail Training!

2017 has been a great year for South Passage ñ Adventure under Sail, culminating in the organisation’s first international voyage. In addition to a full voyage program, the organisation has refined its crew training program to ensure resources are focused on members who have a commitment to the organisation’s vision.

In August 2017 South Passage ñ Adventure under Sail completed its first international voyage under a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Sail and Power Association of Japan (ISPA-J).

Following contact made at the joint Sail Training International / Tall Ships America 2016 Conference in Quebec, Canada, both parties have been working tirelessly to bring this voyage to reality. In addition to the traditional benefits of adventure under sail that a voyage on South Passage provides, this voyage added significant cultural value to both the Japanese and Australian voyagers.

The ISPA-J Vision to introduce self-sufficient life style through sail training, especially for young people, perfectly aligns with South Passage’s goal to provide safe and challenging experiences for young men and women, using the ship as a medium to develop leadership, initiative, independence and self-discipline.

The voyage was undertaken by a crew of young people from Japan and Australia over eight days, between Townsville and Mackay. While this was the first voyage of its kind for South Passage the initial feedback from the ISPA-Japan organiser, Mr Bob Sendoh, very succinctly sums up how successful the voyage was.

“I just got back to Vancouver,” said Bob. “This course was fantastic and I am so satisfied about everything. We will continue this program for next year and so on”.

A great example of Adventure under Sail at work.

South Passage – Adventure under Sail, a not for profit organisation run primarily by volunteers, is the owner and operator of South Passage, a 100 foot long gaff rigged schooner. Established in 1992, the organisation launched South Passage in 1993 and has been delivering on its vision to grow and develop young people through adventure under sail ever since.

For more information or to get on board visit southpassage.org.au.