Yesterday, September 16, 2014, at the currently running Southampton Boat Show, saw six deserving young people, winners of the MDL Sail Training Awards 2014 voyage, receive their trophies. These were handed over by Lord Iliffe, Chairman of MDL’s parent company, at 3.30pm on stand E52. The youngsters returned from their trip earlier this year, after spending six days at sea with the Ocean Youth Trust South.

MDL Sail Training Awards 2014 Winners

The MDL-sponsored awards, which have been running for over 20 years, offer admirable young people – carefully selected due to their exceptional accomplishments, or for overcoming adverse personal circumstances – the opportunity of a lifetime aboard the training yacht.

Joining a team on board the ketch ‘John Laing’ were Callum Archibald, 14 from Basingstoke, 13-year-old John Bratherton, from Fordingbridge, Erin Sutton, 14, and Jodie Beckham, 13, both from Totton, Oscar Perkins, 13, from Brixham and 15-year-old Robert Jelley from Romsey.

The week-long round trip, from Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, saw them plotting their intended course and getting involved with all elements of sailing. During the voyage the participants also had the opportunity to obtain the Competent Crew certificate, an RYA recognised qualification.

Eamonn Feeney, Managing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: “Our Sail Training Awards are a very important initiative for us and we have so far helped well over a hundred young people to experience something truly exceptional. We are big supporters of the work of Ocean Youth Trust South and it’s fantastic that they can reward these youngsters with such a brilliant adventure that really does give them skills for life.”