1 August

The crowds turned out on 31 July to welcome the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge crews back to Falmouth.

Three crews set sail from the Cornish port on board the ‘Spirit of Falmouth’, a 92-foot long tall ship, and two support yachts on 1 June.

After spending two months sailing in an anti-clockwise direction around the British Isles, the team arrived home one day ahead of the planned schedule.

The epic expedition was organised by Turn to Starboard founder and former RAF squadron leader Shaun Pascoe.

It aims to help participants gain new skills while raising awareness of the challenges some veterans face after leaving the military.

“Not only has the crew faced their own challenges after service life, they have faced incredible challenges throughout the journey,” said Pascoe.

“From rebuilding the tall ships gearbox after it malfunctioned near the Isle of Wight to braving huge waves in the Irish Sea, the team has shown resilience in every situation. It was wonderful to see the crowds of supporters at Pendennis Point and at the marina and made it a very special welcome home for all the crew,” he continued.

A team of 38 veterans – many with little or no sailing experience – has taken part in the expedition which is also supported by The Endeavour Fund.

Fourteen veterans completed the whole voyage with the rest completing shorter sections of the route, along with beneficiaries of the Prince’s Trust and a documentary film crew.

All three vessels stopped at ports such as Newcastle and the Orkney Islands along the route.

In Liverpool, members of the crew were invited to berth outside the Merseyside Maritime Museum in celebration of a brand new exhibition marking 250 years of the Pilotage Service.

The crew played a part in telling the story of the Liverpool pilots and their vital role in navigating ships in and out of the port.

After reaching the Isles of Scilly last week, the crew took a three-day break before sailing the final leg to Falmouth.

26 July

They have battled strong winds, rough seas and undertaken hours of complex repairs when their engine gave up on them.

But now the veterans are preparing to celebrate as they approach the finish line of a 2000-miles voyage around the British Isles.

Three crews set sail from Falmouth on board the Spirit of Falmouth, a 92-foot long tall ship and two support yachts on the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge.

After spending two months sailing in an anti-clockwise direction around the British Isles, a team of military veterans is set to sail into Falmouth on 31 July.

 

The voyage was organised by the charity, Turn to Starboard, which helps military personnel suffering with physical injuries or mental trauma by providing sailing courses and family sailing trips.

The charity’s founder, former RAF squadron leader, Shaun Pascoe said the expedition aims to help participants gain new skills while raising awareness of the challenges some veterans face after leaving the military.

“The aim of the Round Britain Challenge is to help participants re-engage, reintegrate and gain new skills. Our incredible crew has overcome significant challenges along the route and has shown resilience in every situation,” he said.

“Many have gained valuable sailing miles as part of their training for Yachtmaster qualifications, whereas others set themselves a personal challenge as they battle with their own issues after Service life. We are looking forward to arriving back home in Falmouth and to a well earned rest!” explained Pascoe.

 

A team of 38 veterans – many with little or no sailing experience – has taken part in the epic voyage, which is also supported by The Endeavour Fund.

Fourteen veterans are set to complete the whole voyage with the rest completing shorter sections of the route, along with beneficiaries of the Prince’s Trust and a documentary film crew.

All three vessels have stopped at ports such as the Isle of Wight, Newcastle, and the Orkney Islands along the route.

Turn to Starboard is inviting the public to help them raise £20,000 towards supporting injured veterans by buying a mile of the expedition for £10.

 

12 July

Three crews set sail from Falmouth on 1 June on board the Spirit of Falmouth and two support yachts on the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge.

The eight-week voyage aims to help participants gain new skills while raising awareness of the challenges some veterans face after leaving the military.

 

They reached the halfway mark near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis on 5 July.

But, the journey so far has not been without some problems.

The Spirit of Falmouth suffered from gearbox problems soon after leaving Falmouth and again near the Isle of Wight.

A replacement was sent from Norway and fitted by the crew to allow them to carry on.

Former RAF squadron leader and skipper of the Spirit of Falmouth, Shaun Pascoe explained why the voyage is so important.

“The aim of the Round Britain Challenge is to help participants re-engage, reintegrate and gain new skills,” he said.

“Some of our crew will be gaining valuable sailing miles as part of their training for Yachtmaster qualifications, whereas others have set themselves a personal challenge as they battle with their own issues after service life,” explained Pascoe.

“The crew has shown incredible resilience throughout the journey so far, overcoming challenges along the way, which is what this trip is all about,” he added.

A team of 38 veterans – many with little or no sailing experience – are taking part in the International Paints sponsored expedition.

A total of 14 veterans are taking part in the complete voyage.

The rest are completing shorter sections of the route, along with beneficiaries of The Prince’s Trust and a documentary film crew.

Turn to Starboard has helped hundreds of military personnel suffering with physical injuries or mental trauma by providing sailing courses and family sailing trips in a supportive environment.

All three vessels will stop at ports including Whitehaven, Liverpool and the Isles of Scilly before arriving at Falmouth Harbour on August 1.

The charity is inviting the public to help them raise £20,000 towards supporting injured veterans by buying a mile of the expedition for £10.

Visit the charity’s website for more information.

2 June

Although many of them have little or no sailing experience, that didn’t stop the 14 veterans from setting sail on the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge.

The crew left Falmouth on 1 June onboard the wooden gaff-rigged schooner, Spirit of Falmouth.

Crowds gathered on the quay to wave goodbye to the veterans; a musical farewell was provided by the Falmouth Marine Band.

 

During the 2,000 nautical mile journey, the crew will be joined by 20 other veterans who will be taking part in the shorter sections of the route.

Along the way, the Spirit of Falmouth will call in at a number of ports including Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Liverpool, Glasgow, Liverpool and the Isles of Scilly.

The challenge has been organised by Turn to Starboard, a Falmouth-based sailing charity set up by former RAF squadron leader, Shaun Pascoe.

The organisation, which is supported by The Endeavour Fund, has helped hundreds of military personnel suffering with physical injuries or mental trauma by providing sailing courses and family sailing trips.

Pascoe, who will also be taking part in the challenge, was the leader of a helicopter medical emergency response team.

After finding it difficult to adjust to normal life outside of the forces, he embarked on a Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster course. Within two weeks of sailing, he felt in a better place.

He now invests his time in helping others to feel the same.

“The aim of the Round Britain Challenge is to help participants re-engage, reintegrate and gain new skills. Some of our crew will be gaining valuable sailing miles as part of their training for Yachtmaster qualifications, whereas others have set themselves a personal challenge as they battle with their own issues after service life,” said Pascoe.

“Many of the participants are seeking solace in the companionship of others who have experienced similar situations, which allows them to feel valued in a supportive environment. Wish us luck!” he noted.

During the challenge, which has been sponsored by International Paints, the veterans will also be joined by Young Ambassadors from the The Prince’s Trust and a documentary film crew.

The 92 foot Spirit of Falmouth was donated to the charity by The Prince’s Trust.

Two smaller yachts will also take part in the expedition, to ensure a higher than expected number of applicants could participate.

Turn to Starboard is also inviting the public to help it raise £20,000 towards supporting injured veterans by buying a mile of the expedition for £10.