Lord Iliffe to present MDL Sail Training Awards at Southampton Boat Show

Four young people who won a place on this year’s MDL Sail Training Awards voyage, will be officially presented with their trophies during Southampton Boat Show by Lord Iliffe, chairman of MDL’s parent company, on Tuesday 15^th September at 3pm, stand E52.

The MDL-sponsored awards, which have been running for nearly 30 years, offer admirable young people who are carefully selected due to their exceptional accomplishments, or for overcoming adverse personal circumstances, the ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ aboard the training yacht, according to MDL Marinas. 

Earlier this year, Colm Craig 17 from Brixham, 15 year-old Lowri Fleet, from Torquay, Joseph Harnett, 12 from Southampton, and 12 year-old Meagon Howie, from Portsmouth, joined a team on board the ketch 'John Laing' and spent six nights at sea with the Ocean Youth Trust South.

The week-long round trip from Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, saw the winners plot their intended course and get 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.

After the voyage, Colm Craig was then invited to train to become a volunteer for the charity. Colm has now completed his volunteer boson qualification, training for which includes learning to conduct safety checks and basic boat maintenance, as well as supporting the skipper and watch leaders. Colm’s second voyage was supported by a grant from the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

Adrien Burnand, head of marketing at MDL Marinas, commented, “Our Sail Training Awards are a very important initiative for us and the last 28 years have seen us help 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. We look forward to meeting this year’s winners and presenting them with their awards.”

For more information, visit MDL Marinas.