Marine / Swan to host ‘ladies only’ weekend
Skipper Maggie Adamson said it is a ‘milestone’ for the Swan Trust
A “LADIES only” trip on the historic sailing boat Swan is taking place later this year.
The weekend trip will take place in September, exploring the east side of Shetland, and will be the first time the Swan has been crewed exclusively by women.
“The all-women’s trip with our new skipper Maggie Adamson in charge demonstrates that the Swan is much more than a vessel of historical interest,” said Swan Trust chairman David Goodlad.
“The first trip where she will be skippered and crewed exclusively by women is long overdue. Shetland has a wealth of competent women sailors, and it is great to see them taking command of the Swan.”
When the Swan was built, the women worked as gutters in the herring curing yards while the men took the Swan and the other 400 herring boats to sea.
That was over a hundred of years ago and times change, the trust said.
With many of the women being previous sail trainees aboard the Swan, this trip is also credit to the trust’s work over the past 26 years.
Trustee Brian Wishart said: “Trustees are incredibly proud of the Trust’s achievements in teaching our young people to sail and welcoming all to volunteer with the Trust.
“Over the years we have carried many hundreds of sail trainees, with a fairly even spread of boys and girls, and we also have a good mix of women and men who volunteer with us.
“Sailing has never been gender specific, at one time most people in Shetland were familiar with sailing, as it was the main way to get about.
“However, maritime careers did tend to be male dominated and, as Shetland modernised, many sailing skills died out.
“The Swan’s educational programme over the past 26 years has helped to reverse this trend, and show both girls and boys that a marine career is open to them.”
The trip will take place between 9 and 11 September and it will give participants a chance to take part in operating the vessel and experience life on board.
Skipper Adamson said: “I have sailed with many men and women over the years and find that they are equally capable in operating any vessel.
“This ladies only trip will be a milestone for the trust and I am proud to be at her helm for it.”
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