The Full-Rigged Ship Sørlandet under full sails. (Foto: Stiftelsen Fullriggeren Sørlandet)

 

The homeport of the Ship Sorlandet is the city of Kristiansand in the South of Norway, where also the administration office is based. The administration handles all operational matters such as chartering, planning of annual open cruises made available for the general public, booking of paying trainees, advertising, engaging the ships' crew, dry dockings, purchases and book-keeping, and not at least necessary cooperation with official bodies and organisations within the International Tall Ships' environment.

 

Sailing

The Ship Sørlandet sails on a yearly basis. From May to September, we sail from Norway to Europe, sail on shorter legs in Norway or participate in harbour festivals. The legs are offered to persons between 15 and 70 years and no sailing experience is required. Our professional crew will teach all sailing trainees. The sailing schedule is presented every year and is promoted in the press, magazines and on our homepage.
 

Students with Class Afloat 2010/2011 on field trip in Dalar, Senegal. (Foto: Hege Lindtveit Frøystad)

In cooperation with West Island College International – Class Afloat the Ship Sørlandet offers a school program during the autumn/winter season. The School strives towards the highest standards in academic excellence, community service, leadership, and personal development.

 

A number of criteria that are not limited to but include safety, climate, favourable sailing conditions and politically stable environments define the development of the itineraries at Class Afloat. There is more, however, and that is the academic suitability, which is offered by each port of call.It is important for us to effectively combine the lessons taught in our shipboard classroom with “hands-on” field practica. As a consequence, we can tie marine biology to specific research stations and specific classes given by lecturers from oceanographic centres; we can discuss politics with constitutional monarchs and elected leaders; we can explore the flora, fauna, history and geography of a nation to better understand its people and their role in our global village. Please contact us for more information about the school program.

The Full-Rigged Ship Sørlandet during a cruise in Kristiansand. (Foto: Tress Design)

The Ship Sorlandet has a capacity to take on board 70  trainees. Separately she has a crew of  9 to 15 officers and seamen during the sailing season. Normally she will have more crew during the summer moths when the trainees are joining the ship for shorter voyages in example the Tall Ships Races. When sailing with the Canadian School Program the trainees are staying for longer periods of time. They then join in the duties of the crew.