Sailing on board a historic sailing ship can be physically demanding and does carry some element of risk. Depending on the particular voyage, our vessels may be some distance from land and urgent medical attention can take substantially longer to organise than it would ashore. It is of the utmost importance to us that all our guests are able to enjoy their experience without placing themselves, or others, at undue risk.
Age of Guests:
We have no upper limit on the age of guests we can accept on board our vessels. Physical ability is what’s important. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re capable of climbing a twelve foot ( four metre) rope ladder then you are not likely to experience significant problems on board.
Unfortunately we do have to insist on minimum age limits, though. For day sails, our minimum age is 12 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. For longer trips, our minimum age is 16 years old.
Medical Conditions:
Although all our crew are trained in first aid and a comprehensive medical kit is held on board, we would always rather avoid issues than deal with them!
The following are examples of conditions which might present a risk. If you have any of these conditions, we strongly recommend discussing them with us prior to booking a voyage so we can make the appropriate recommendation. Sometimes this might be specific trips which are not suitable or occasionally it is necessary to refuse your booking all together. At the least, we must be made aware of these conditions when you complete your booking forms so that the crew are aware of potential risks.
Examples of Medical Conditions to Advise Us Of:
- Heart conditions including angina, use of pacemakers, heart rhythm disturbances or a history of heart attacks
- Lung disease such as emphysema or asthma
- History of strokes or mini strokes (TIAs)
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Conditions affecting balance
- Severe allergic reactions
- Significant mental health disorders
This list is not exhaustive. If you or one of your party have any medical condition which could be exacerbated by physical activity or require urgent medical treatment, please do discuss it with us before booking a trip.
We also must insist of being provided with a full list of any prescribed medications taken by guests, particularly anticoagulants.
Sea Sickness:
Sea sickness is unpleasant and debilitating if you suffer badly. Fortunately there are some excellent ‘over the counter’ drugs which can significantly reduce the likelihood and symptoms of suffering. Whilst we carry some remedies on board, these can only be used in emergencies since our crew are not permitted to prescribe drugs. We strongly recommend bringing some supplies with you whether you’ve previously experienced sea sickness or not. Pharmacists or your GP will be able to advise you on the most suitable product.