Member Article

Marine Firms safety boost for youth trust yacht

Ocean Youth Trust North, the North Shields based youth development and sail training charity, is now benefiting from the latest maritime navigation and safety equipment thanks to donations from two leading marine technology firms.

Northumberland based Jotron UK Ltd and Aberdeen based Marine Management Training and Security Ltd have both donated state-of-the-art maritime technology to be used on OYTN’s James Cook, a 70-foot purpose built yacht designed for adventurous sail training expeditions.

The donations mean James Cook has navigation and safety systems equivalent to those on large commercial marine vessels.

Wynne Edwards, managing director of Marine MTS, said: “Having skippered the James Cook in the past I’ve seen first-hand the life changing experiences sail training can bring to young people. I wanted to give something back as a thank you for all the good times I’ve had on board.”

Ocean Youth Trust North (OYTN) is a registered charity specialising in the personal development of young people aged 12-25.

It provides life changing opportunities through adventure under sail, and works with young people to develop self-confidence and teach essential life skills such as working as part of a team and having respect for others.

Mr. Edwards, added: “The Microplot 7 Navigation system and the range of electronic charts that accompany it will provide crew members with a navigation system that meets all future regulations and which increases the safety of the vessel whilst at sea.

The system also provides crew members with the opportunity to develop advanced technical skills and keep pace with the changing marine environment.“

Jotron UK Ltd, one of the most respected names in marine safety technology, offered to provide OYTN with safety technology that complemented the Marine MTS system.

Neil Atkinson from Jotron UK Ltd, said: “We have been looking to associate ourselves with a local youth based community charity for some time. We have seen the great work OYTN does to develop young people from across our region and it seemed a perfect fit.”

Jotron UK’s donation included items that enhanced the yacht’s safety grab bags. This included new waterproof VHF emergency radios and the latest search and rescue radio transponder, an AIS SART, for use on life rafts.

The emergency beacon (EPIRB) on James Cook was upgraded to Jotron’s latest manufactured unit and a new Automatic Identification System donated, that sends messages letting all other vessels in the vicinity know that James Cook is nearby.

“In a nutshell, the system works hand in hand with the equipment supplied by Marine MTS and makes James Cook more visible to everyone,” added Mr. Atkinson.

Steve Lennon, general manager of OYTN, said: “We’re delighted to have received these donations from Jotron UK Ltd andMarineMTS.

We have a highly experienced team manning James Cook and having this state of the art equipment onboard will help them to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our young crews.

The kit has been installed onboard James Cook by Paul Rutherford of North Shields based UK Electronic Solutions and has already proved invaluable during several OYTN voyages this season, including the ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations) Small Ships Race when 50 per cent of the crew - a group from Action for Blind People - were blind or partially sighted.

For further information about Ocean Youth Trust North, please visit www.sailjamescook.com

If you would like to book a voyage or request further information please email office@sailjamescook.com or phone Rachel in the office on 0191 257 1212.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matthew Moore .