Specifications of LK Swan | |
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Operations: | Charter, Educational Programmes, Film or TV Production, Holiday Travel, Sail Training |
Class: | B |
Rig: | Gaff Ketch |
Year Launched: | 1900 |
Length Overall (LOA): | 20.42 Metres |
Sail Area: | 210 Square Metres |
Home Port: | Lerwick, Shetland |
Permanent Crew: | 3 |
Trainee / Passenger Berths: | 12 |
Swan is a class B traditional wooden Sail Fifie built in Shetland in 1900
When launched in 1900, Swan was one of the finest boats in the Scottish fleet and enjoyed a long fishing career, before retirement in the 1950s. Following this she had several owners, and when she came up for sale in 1990, she was in a very dilapidated state. Some Shetlanders recognised her importance as one of the few vessels of her type left and formed a steering group, later to become The Swan Trust, to buy, restore and operate her. After an extensive restoration, she was relaunched as a sail training and charter vessel in 1996.
With a variety of trips on offer, anyone can sail on Swan to a variety of destinations and no previous sailing experience is required. As well as trips around her home of Shetland, Swan regularly travels to mainland UK, Orkney, St Kilda, Norway, Faroe and Denmark, as well as national and international festivals. Public sailing trips usually range from 1 to 12 days and Swan is also available for private charter. An MCA category 0 coded vessel, Swan can sail anywhere in the world.
Public trips help cover maintenance costs, enabling Swan to carry out other work, including working with schools, youth and community groups. Through Sail Training Shetland, sponsored places are also made available to people aged 15 to 25 years to take part in Tall Ships Races and other sailing voyages within and out with the UK.
When you come aboard Swan you are embarking on a 'hands on' adventure. Whilst playing an active role in sailing and working the ship, you will develop new skills and travel in stunning, and challenging, environments. Trips on Swan build confidence, experience and friendships – and keep our heritage alive.