Everything we know about the first Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Experience

Lady Dodd, the President of Merseyside Adventure Sailing Trust (MAST), is set to unveil the Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Experience.

The launch of the Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Experience will take place aboard the magnificent tall ship Pelican of London, docked at the vibrant Canning Dock in Liverpool on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 11am.

Anne, Lady Dodd, widow of the celebrated Liverpool comedian Sir Ken Dodd, will host the launch onboard Pelican of London, one of the UK’s most renowned Class A tall ships, before the vessel inaugurates the first of the three Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Experience voyages around the Irish Sea and English Channel this summer. 

After conclusion of the third voyage, Lady Dodd, as MAST President and the charity’s leading individual supporter, will present the Sir Ken Dodd Cup to the winning trainee crew at the MAST Gala Dinner, at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in early autumn. 

The Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Sailing Experience is a brand new annual week-long summer regatta starting and ending in Liverpool with tall ships crewed by young trainees from the UK and abroad competing for the Sir Ken Dodd Cup, under the guidance of professional crews.

MAST’s aim is to attract young people from all backgrounds and give them the experience of a lifetime which would otherwise be out of their reach.

While tall ship sailing is a hugely enjoyable opportunity for young people, the experience will help to develop their skills of leadership, teamwork, personal responsibility, and undertake marine research. 

While aboard a tall ship the young people will all be under the fully qualified guidance of professional crews.

There is nothing in Northern England to compare with this tall ship 2023 adventure programme for 43 young people aged 14-26 years, many of whom have not had the opportunity to participate in any such maritime experience.  

There will be three voyages in 2023 using two tall ships – Pelican of London and the historic gaff ketch Maybe. 

Lady Dodd, MAST President, who is a leading Merseyside arts and education benefactor, said:

“Happiness is the greatest gift that we possess by celebrating working and sharing joy as a team. MAST is the perfect embodiment of this and the reason why I’m thrilled to be involved with it to support the young people of Merseyside.

“Ken was very interested in helping young people in Merseyside to get on in life and he’d be very proud of having his name associated with an organisation like MAST which is doing so much for them.”

When:

Wednesday, 7 June, 2023, at 11am 

Where:

Onboard the tall ship Pelican of London, moored at Canning Dock, (adjacent to the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Royal Albert Dock). 

Voyages:

Voyage 1: With Pelican of London starts on Wednesday 7 June until 13 June, from Liverpool to Dublin (return by ferry).

Voyage 2: Aboard Maybe for 14-17 year-olds only is 9-14 July, minibus to Penzance sail to Liverpool.

Voyage 3: With Pelican of London for 14-17 year-olds only is 6-11 August. Barrow to Holyhead, taxi and minibus transfers.

For more info on the Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Experience click HERE.