Our Skippers of the Future Tour:

Our National Heritage Lottery funded ‘Skippers of the Future’ sailing tour is about to begin!

Blue Mermaid will be sailing to ten ports, each voyage crewed by young people and vulnerable adults taking part in the National Historic Ships  ‘Traditional Seafarer’ course. Once in port the hold will be open to the public to come aboard free of charge, and learn about the heritage of Thames sailing barges, where the surviving vessels are today, and how this historic fleet is critically endangered at the present time.

We will also be showing the film ‘Wind, Tide & Oar’ in the hold of the barge. The running time is 90 minutes. Seats for the film are limited. Obtain your free ticket from www.windtideandoar.com/sea-tour

Blue Mermaid is not fully accessible. Unfortunately we do not have wheelchair access. We are offering two additional screening of the film in fully wheelchair-accessible venues ashore for those with restricted mobility. Please read below the itinerary for more details.

Itinerary:

Greenwich Pier – Film Premiere at National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark 6pm. Blue Mermaid will be open to ticket holders only  from 4pm. Film Premiere tickets are on sale at https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/wind-tide-oar

For the following ports the film will be screened free of charge in the hold of the barge. Seats are strictly limited. Obtain your free ticket from www.windtideandoar.com Blue Mermaid will be open for public visiting 1 hour before each film screening.

Gravesend Town Pier – Fri 26 April 7pm and Sat 27 April 6pm

Maldon Town Quay – Fri 10 May 7pm and Sat 11 May 6pm

Ipswich Orwell Quay – Fri17 May 7pm and Sat 18 May 6pm

Harwich Ha’penny Pier – Fri 24 7pm and Sat 25 May 6pm

Lowestoft RN&S Marina – Fri 31 May 7pm and Sat 1 June 6pm

Woodbridge Town Quay – Fri 7 June 7pm and Sun9 June 6pm

Brightlingsea Town Pontoon – Fri 21 June 7pm and Sat 22 June 6pm

Chatham Sun Pier – Fri 5 July 7pm and Sat 6 July 6pm

Ramsgate Heritage Pontoon – Fri 12 July 7pm and Sat 13 July 6pm

St Katharine Dock – Thurs 18 July 6pm

We look forward to welcoming everyone aboard. Please come and visit us in a port near you.

Because Blue Mermaid is not fully accessible to those with restricted mobility we are are please to be able to offer two disability-friendly fully accessible venues in addition to the screenings onboard the barge:

Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey Island- Friday 24th May 7.30pm

Royal Harwich Yacht Club, Woolverstone, Nr Ipswich – Thursday 18th July 7.00pm

Our thanks to both yacht Clubs for kindly hosting these events for us. Non members are welcome. Please book tickets at www.windtideandoar.com/sea-tour