Head for heights helps (From Barry And District News)

Head for heights helps

TWO BARRY teenagers have been given the opportunity to crew a tall ship.

Shun Shun Wong, 17, and James Cox-Schembri, 18, are both pupils at Barry Boys Comprehensive and were chosen out of the whole of the lower sixth.

James said: "I am excited at the prospect of going on this voyage because I have never been sailing before. On the ship we will have to man the decks for five hours at a time and this will be on a rota system.

"We will have to man the vessel at night and may even have to climb up to the crows' nest. But that does not bother me."

The Prince William and her sister ship the Stavros S Niarchos are both brigs. They will be leaving Barry in September for ten days and sailing to France with approximately 40 crew.

One day of the trip will be spent on land to learn how to man the tall ship. This includes hoisting sails on a vessel that is 200 feet high and rigging which is nine miles long.

Shun Shun said: "I am looking forward to going so that I can learn to work with people on the boat. It will be hard work but I think it will be worth it in the end."

Head of Barry Comprehensive Sixth Form Caroline Oxenham said: "Last year two students went on the trip and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

"In fact they both wanted to go this year. They made such strong bonds with other crew members that they are still in touch with them.

"It will be a great experience for Shun Shun and James."

The Prince's Trust is providing the funding for the teenagers to go on the trip of a lifetime.