Aboard the Picton Castle, new trainees and crew are settling in and getting oriented to their new surroundings. The ship is currently alongside the wharf at Avatiu Harbour on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. We’re spending a few days in port between Leg 1 and Leg 2 of the Aloha Polynesia Voyage in port in order to refresh provisions, take on more cargo, and do a trainee changeover. There are, of course, some trainees who have signed on for the whole Aloha Polynesia Voyage, so they’re part of the regular routine of watchkeeping and ship’s maintenance that happens even while Picton Castle is in port. We’ve said goodbye to some trainees and hello to others who are quickly finding their way around and joining in with standing watches and learning the ship.
Meanwhile, in our office in Lunenburg, we’re looking ahead to the South Seas Voyage which begins in Rarotonga on August 19th. Berths are still available for trainees. No experience is necessary to sail with us as a trainee, just a good level of physical fitness and a desire to be a full participant in sailing the ship.
There is a berth available for a ship’s medical officer for the South Seas Voyage. This is an ideal position for a medical doctor who wants to sail a square rigger. The medical officer essentially functions as a trainee, fully involved in the life of the ship and sailing her, until we need to call on his or her medical expertise. Picton Castle carries a fully stocked medical kit, and we have back-up resources available ashore to consult and assist as necessary. The position could be filled by one doctor for the full duration of the voyage, or it could be divided amongst a number of doctors. If you’re interested, please get in touch with voyage coordinator Maggie Ostler at [email protected].
Applications are also being accepted for two professional crew positions. All professional crew must have, at a minimum, STCW Basic Safety Training. We’re looking for a mate, who will function as a watch officer and will be instrumental in delivering our sail training program. Mate applicants must have a license that is suitable for our 284 gross ton ocean-going sail training ship. We’re also looking for a lead seaman, who will assist the officer of the watch and lead and instruct the trainees on their watch. We prefer to hire lead seamen with their AB (USA), Bridge Watch Rating (Canada) or their national equivalent. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome. To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter that tells us more about you, your experience and your motivation for wanting to work aboard Picton Castle to voyage coordinator Maggie Ostler at [email protected].