If you’re a regular reader of the Captain’s Log, you will have heard about the incredible adventures the crew are having on this world circumnavigation voyage aboard Picton Castle. Sailing in all weather, learning a bevy of seamanship skills, exploring exotic ports and islands, getting to know one another and work together to sail this beautiful square-rigger.
You, too, could be part of this voyage. There are berths available for trainee crew members to join the ship for Leg 3 and Leg 4.
Leg 3 begins in Bali, Indonesia on or about November 27. You would sail across the Indian Ocean, on a passage that’s about four weeks long which would allow you to really lean into the rhythm of life at sea while standing watches and growing your hands-on skills. Once mostly across to the other side, you would visit Mauritius to see where the dodo bird lived and Reunion with it’s three cirques (former volcanoes, now lush steep hills and valleys) before rounding the Cape of Good Hope and sailing into the historic port of Cape Town in South Africa. You would sign off on or about February 21, 2024.
Leg 4 begins in Cape Town on or about February 22, 2024. You would have some time in port before sailing, spending some of your time on watch duty aboard the ship and some of your time off so you’re free to explore, taking in the incredible wildlife or checking out the local vineyards. Upon setting sail from Cape Town you would head for Namibia to see the desert, then on a long South Atlantic passage to the island of St. Helena where Napoleon was exiled. After another few weeks at sea, you would arrive in the Eastern Caribbean where you’ll spend a few weeks island-hopping, observing and experiencing the similarities and differences between the islands. From there, you would sail north to Bermuda then on to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada, where the voyage will wrap up on or about July 13, 2024 after circling the globe.
You may be thinking that this sounds like an incredible adventure, but you’re not a sailor. That doesn’t matter to us. Sailing experience is not required. What’s much more important is that you want to be part of the ship’s working crew, that you’re in good health, and that you’re a pleasant person who can get along well with others. We check for all of these things in our application process, which starts when you fill in the application form on our website.
No matter where you sign aboard Picton Castle, whether it’s at the start of the first leg or at any other point during the voyage, you’ll be thoroughly oriented upon joining the ship. You’ll learn where your bunk is, how to use the head (marine toilet), how meals work, how to muster for your watch, how to handle lines and sails, and the basics of living aboard. You’ll also go through our thorough orientation to all safety procedures and equipment, ship’s policies and everything else you’ll need to know to be a handy member of the crew. You’ll have fellow trainee crew members ready to assist – after all, it’s not all that long ago that they were brand new to Picton Castle as well – and the professional crew members who will be there to guide you.
We are now accepting applications to fill the last few spots available on Legs 3 and 4. If you’re interested, now is the time to send in your application, which you can find here: https://picton-castle.com/voyages/the-world-voyage-2023-2024/apply-now/
If you don’t think this is the right thing for you, but you know someone who might be interested, please share the news with them!
More details about the voyage, the route, and what life aboard is like can be found here: https://picton-castle.com/voyages/the-world-voyage-2023-2024/
