To The South Pacific
An adventurous deep-water voyage aboard the Picton Castle
Sailing from the old Atlantic seaport of Lunenburg Nova Scotia, Canada, on or before November 1 this year, the Barque PICTON CASTLE casts off from her berth on the working waterfront, and head out to sea, catch the oceans winds bound south down the North Atlantic. She sets sail with her crew and trainees on an eight month blue-water sailing ship voyage southbound in the tropics to ride the worlds tradewinds for the South Pacific. Across the blue Caribbean Sea, transit the marvel of the Panama Canal, then head for the enchanting Galapagos, then a long ocean passage for the remote home of the BOUNTY Mutineers at Pitcairn Island, on to beckoning Tahiti and legendary islands of French Polynesia, Marquesas, Tuamotus, Societies and Austral Islands before sailing back to the Caribbean by way of mysterious Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to join the grand convocation of the fleet of Tall Ships from many countries, gathering on the East Coast of North America on the 250 Anniversary of the founding the United States by mid-June 2025.
As a dedicated ‘sail training ship’, all hands stand watches at sea and in port, steer the ship, handle sail, tar the rig, make the sails, scrub the decks (and the dishes) learn the way of a ship at sea and leave their shore lives behind for a while. Haul braces, climb aloft, learn navigation, tropical trade-wind blue-water sailing, small boat handling, rigging and meet and also explore ashore and befriend islanders on their own beautiful island homes as they welcome the PICTON CASTLE back once again.
Curious? The ship’s company, hauling braces, setting, taking and furling sail, and steering every inch of these 25,000 nautical miles, will be made up of hearty seagoing adventurers under qualified leadership, ready for the challenge of a real seafarer’s deep sea, square-rigged sailing ship voyage. And with some amazing ports of call along the way.
You can apply to be part of this epic voyage. Picton Castle sails with a combination of professional and trainee crew members. The leadership crew are qualified, credentialled mariners trained in some of the world’s great square-riggers, who have significant experience at sea and are ready to literally teach you the ropes. Trainee crew are folks like you – curious, adventurous, inspired by a challenge, fit, ages 18 and up, from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds, wanting to go to sea as well and see the world from the unique perspective that only being crew on a voyage can offer – and ready for the challenge. We delight in our multi-national crews. Makes the voyage better too.
The voyage will begin with a period of training, orientation and preparation at Picton Castle’s home base in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. Once the ship and crew are made ready, it will be time to set sail.
What Can I Learn on the Voyage?
The list is long. Where to begin? Seamanship, steering a tall ship at sea, small boat handling, sailmaking, rigging, celestial navigation, carpentry, ropework, Rules of the Road, caulking, small boat handling and mastery, maybe you are interested in diesel mechanics. The ports we visit, your shipmates, yourself. If we could put all that you learn on such a voyage in a book, we would but we can’t. But learn, you will.
The voyage will be organized around legs so crew can join and/or sign off the ship at major ports. Major port stays will be longer in order to make sure all hands can get a good look around and so we can be sure to meet travel dates of folks coming and going.
Introducing Captain Dirk Lorenzen
In command of the Barque Picton Castle is be Captain Dirk Lorenzen.
Captain Lorenzen has dedicated most of his adult life to learning and teaching the craft of traditional sailing ships. He has sailed as officer in some the finest ships at sea today including the Norwegian Full-Rigged Ship Sorlandet and Australian Bark Endeavour. With ten years in Picton Castle as Mate under Captain Daniel Moreland, and as Master on his own, he is a rigger, sailmaker, engineer, small boat handler, caulker, shipwright and teacher. Originally from Hamburg, Germany, Captain Lorenzen calls Tasmania, Australia home these days, and Picton Castle’s home base in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada sees a lot of him too. Captain Moreland states that he could not have higher confidence in Captain Lorenzen’s abilities and is proud to turn the ship over to his leadership and care.
Who Can Sail?
This is a voyage for adventurous souls. People ages 18 and up of all genders and all nationalities are welcome to apply to join the ship as trainee crew members. Trainees participate in all aspects of sailing the ship: you’ll stand watches, take your turn at the wheel and as lookout, you’ll handle lines and sails, scrub decks, help the cook in the galley, assist with ship’s maintenance, and learn authentic seamanship skills as was the time-honoured way of the wind ships in the Age of Sail, and still is in Picton Castle.
Everyone aboard must be in good health and adequately physically fit. A medical screening is part of the application process.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, to travel the world, to travel sustainably by wind power, to learn new skills, to challenge yourself personally, to gain teamwork skills, to be part of a close-knit community aboard, to do something amazing with your gap year or big overseas adventure, to check an item off your bucket list, to lay a foundation for a career at sea, to accomplish the dream of a lifetime, or simply to experience the portion of our planet covered by water, you’re welcome to apply.
To apply to be a trainee, click here!
How Long Can I Sign On For?
Depending on the amount of time and money you have available, there are a number of options for signing on. We always say that longer is better, but recognize that not everyone can make a year+ voyage.
Sailing for as long as you can afford, both financially and timewise, is the best option. Join us for any combination of 1, 2, 3, 4, or all 5 legs! (See planned route above).
