Media Release
Date: 02 May 2025
ASTO are looking for a Project & Operations Coordinator
ASTO (UK Sail Training) is at an exciting point in our development. We and our 31 member organisations are passionate about the value that sail training brings to around 12,000 people every year – and about driving greater awareness so that more young people and people of all ages with additional needs can benefit.
As we expand our ambitions, we’re looking for someone to bring their passion and talent to our small (but mighty) home-based team as the Operations & Project Coordinator, initially on a fixed-term basis for two years. All the details can be found by following the link below.
Project & Operations Coordinator Role – ASTO (UK Sail Training)
Media Release
Date: 01 February 2025
ASTO’s President announces retirement after 22 years of service
Effective immediately, he leaves behind a significant legacy of impact, engagement and advocacy during his time at the membership organisation for sail training charities in the UK.
After a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, which included being captain of surface ships and also a nuclear submarine, John became Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents at the MAIB. On retiring from the MAIB, Rear Adm Lang was approached by the then Chair of ASTO, Ron Dadswell and Secretary James Stevens, and subsequently accepted the role of President in 2003, just a few years after the charity received its significant bequest from adventure writer Ralph Hammond Innes.
Rear Adm Lang commented: “That early meeting was instrumental in my accepting the invitation and the beginning of a long and extraordinarily rewarding relationship with the sail training community, populated with some of the most dedicated and contented people I have ever met.”
During his presidency, Lang’s personal passion for sail training has been demonstrable, having sailed on tall ships races, been navigator on tall ships and attended almost every ASTO event and meeting for the duration of his tenure. He led numerous initiatives, supported its trustees, general managers and supporters and perhaps most notably secured the Duchess of Edinburgh as ASTO’s patron. Her Royal Highness has been a huge asset for ASTO and is an enthusiastic supporter of the role sail training can play in youth development.
“There is no precedent for the length of time a President should serve but I feel the time has come for me to stand aside and let someone else assume the role. I have witnessed ASTO move from being an all-volunteer organisation to employing a general manager and now chief executive. I was present for the first Small Ships Race and the first conference. I watched in admiration the way ASTO helped the sail training community survive the ravages of Covid and was thrilled to play a part in seeking the agreement of HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh to be our Patron.
“As a Younger Brother of Trinity House I have enjoyed being part of the link between the two worlds and am proud of both the ASTO Trinity House bursary scheme and the Hammond Innes Bursary programme. As the last personal link to the Hammond Innes family, I know I leave ASTO in good hands and wish the Association and all its members continued success for the future.” He concluded.
ASTO’s Chief Executive, Kerry McMillan commented: “John’s unstinting support for sail training, for our members and their beneficiaries allied with his graciousness and keen insights have been the hallmarks of an outstanding Presidency and we shall miss that. The whole sail training community wishes Rear Adm Lang all the very best and expresses gratitude for his years of service.”
Mark Todd, Chair of ASTO’s Trustees added: “We are lucky to have had John as our President, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him over all these years in whatever capacity I’ve had, but moreover, I am so grateful to count him as a good friend. He leaves ASTO in a better place and we are thrilled that he won’t be leaving us entirely as he has kindly accepted the role of Vice President for Life.”
The Board of Trustees have begun the search for Rear Adm Lang’s successor and plan to announce the new president in due course.
View ASTO’s new short film here – Gallery – UK Sail Training
Media Release
Date: 30 January 2025
Navigating Tomorrow’s Challenges: Full house for ASTO’s UK Sail Training Conference 2025
ASTO’s Chief Executive Kerry McMillan and Chair of Trustees, Mark Todd welcomed 150 delegates to the annual UK Sail Training conference at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard today.
Record breaking Heather Thomas delivered a fantastic keynote speech to a broad audience made of sea staff, member charity trustees and representatives from the sail training and wider marine sector. The 2025 Conference also included sessions covering everything from Diversity and Inclusion, supporting the wellbeing of young people who sail with us, and the importance of using social media film effectively.
Our thanks go to our fabulous speakers and workshop leaders
Heather Thomas, Skipper, Maiden
Captain Louise Sara MNM, Kristy Dawson, and Rosy Elestone, Carnival Corporation
James Davies and Niall McLeod, RYA
Ed Tuite, British Marine
Roy Beal, Keep Britain Tidy and Clean Jurassic Coast CIC
Chris West, Solent MIND
Mark Thompson Senior Master Mariner, HFW
Faber Whitehouse, Chloe Buchannan and Kimmi Scadgell, The MTM Agency
Sue Geary and Jim Whittaker, Tall Ships Youth Trust
ASTO also unveiled its new film featuring our patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh who met the young people participating in the Guernsey to Poole Small Ships Race last summer. The passage race was inspired by the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary and brought 130 young people sailing onboard 13 member vessels.
Click here to view – https://uksailtraining.org/gallery
Media Release
Date: 16 January 2025
RECORD BREAKING HEATHER THOMAS IS KEY NOTE SPEAKER AT ASTO’S UK SAIL TRAINING CONFERENCE 2025
ASTO’s UK Sail Training conference takes place on Thursday 30th January 2025 at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
This year’s headline speaker is record breaking Heather Thomas who led her all-female crew to victory in the Ocean Globe Race onboard Maiden, backed by Tracy Edwards MBE. Heather is the first woman skipper to win a fully crewed round the world race and in doing so topped Tracy’s record of second in class in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race.
The 2025 Conference also includes a wide range of sessions covering everything from the new Sport & Pleasure Code to Diversity and Inclusion, supporting the well being of the young people who sail with us, and the importance of using film effectively. Speakers and workshop leaders include Captain Louise Sara MNM, Director Maritime Standards & Fleet captain, Carnival Corporation, Roy Beal an award-winning sea kayaker and founder of Clean Jurassic Coast CIC, Mark Thompson Senior Master Mariner, HFW and Faber Whitehouse from The MTM Agency.
The annual event is always a sell out but there are just a few places still available before booking closes at 12.00 on Monday 20th January 2025.
Media Release
Date: October 2024
COWES SMALL SHIPS RACE 2024 EVENT REPORT
Media Release
Date: August 2024
GUERNSEY TO POOLE SMALL SHIPS RACE 2024 EVENT REPORT
Media Release
Date: 10 August 2024
Fleet arrives in Guernsey ahead of race to Poole
This weekend, Guernsey welcomes hundreds of young sailors as they prepare for the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) Guernsey to Poole Small Ships Race 2024, inspired by the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary.
The event sees a fleet of 13 charity sailing yachts arrive in Guernsey today, Saturday 10 August and they will spend a few days in St Peter Port before the race on Tuesday.
ASTO comprises more than 30 sailing charities which operate a fleet of more than 50 sail training vessels. Each year, these organisations enable over 12,000 young people and individuals with additional needs, to embark on life-changing adventures at sea.
The competing yachts are crewed by 155 people, of whom more than two thirds aged under 25, with experienced skippers and mates onboard. After arrival at the Swan Pontoons, they will undergo mandatory safety checks, skipper briefings and race registration.
Kerry McMillan, ASTO’s Chief Executive said: “We are excited to return to Guernsey – it’s the first time since the 2007 ASTO Torquay – Guernsey Small Ships Race! Sail Training is so much more than just learning to sail – it instils qualities that can make a real difference to everyday life, such as confidence, teamworking, communication, resilience, adaptability and responsibility,”
“The race provides the perfect opportunity to re-establish the connection between Guernsey’s young people and offshore sail training organisations, working together to broaden the horizons of young people.”
Guernsey local, John Elliott is lending his skills as the Race Director for ASTO, said: “Its great to be involved in an event that opens up sail training for so many young people. We’re looking forward to the race start on Tuesday but are monitoring the weather and wind direction carefully before the exact course is confirmed.”
The Association are partnering with the staff and volunteers of the Guernsey Sailing Trust who are giving the young crews the opportunity to try Optimist sailing on the model yacht pond on Sunday (11 August). “We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of everyone on Guernsey and would like to say particular thank yous to the Guernsey Yacht Club and SetSailTrust who are hosting a BBQ for us all at the GYC after sailing.” Concluded Kerry.
On Monday (12 August) the crew will be visited by the charity’s Patron, HRH the Duchess of Edinburgh, who will be in Guernsey to visit the fleet. She plans to join the crew on one of the yachts during a short training sail and attend an informal reception at the Guernsey Yacht Club before her departure.
The race is scheduled to start on Tuesday afternoon (13 August) just off Castle Cornet. For many young participants, this race marks their first sea voyage. They will navigate one of the UK’s most challenging routes aboard robust vessels. The fleet is expected to arrive in Poole by Thursday 15 August. Upon arrival, the crew will spend the day at the RNLI College on Friday 16 August before heading back to their homes around the UK.
Ross Coppolo, Chief Operating Officer, Guernsey Ports commented “We are thrilled to host ASTO’s fleet. This event promotes teamwork, social skills and resilience, while fostering a respect for the marine environment. Any initiative that makes sailing more accessible for all is a worthy cause.”
The race is scheduled to start at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday (13 August) with the first yachts expected in Poole Quay Boat Haven on Thursday morning, depending on the weather conditions.
Ends
Issued by: Tanya Brookfield
Mobile: 07879 552156