News / New Swan skipper
THE SWAN Trust has appointed Essex man Richard Pattison as the new skipper for Shetland’s own tall ship, the restored fifie Swan.
A former army officer, Pattison has amassed sea miles and experience through sailing and mountaineering expeditions around the Atlantic, the Arctic and the Antarctic, and has sailed from the Falkland Islands to the UK.
Pattison will take up his appointment next month and has a busy season ahead of him carrying out short sails with Shetland school groups and weekend charters.
The Swan will be at the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy, will embark on a two week trip to Norway with Sail Training Shetland trainees and has an extended charter lined up in Orkney and Shetland for the Cape Farewell Foundation.
Pattison said: “I am delighted to have been appointed skipper of such a fine boat and be employed by the Swan Trust which has at national and international level become recognised as an organisation not only dedicated to preserving an historic vessel, but also the promotion of sail training for young people.”
Trust chairman Allister Rendall added: “We believe that in Richard Pattison we have a very experienced and capable skipper, who will enable us to fulfil our aim of offering sailing opportunities to Shetland’s young people.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.