Class D

St Barbara V

UK

St Barbara V is owned and operated by the Royal Artillery Yacht Club. Launched in 2000, she is the third Rustler 42', and the first built for sail training purposes. She is the Club's 5th Flagship and is the largest yacht owned by UK Service Clubs.

St Barbara V spent last winter in the Canary Islands conducting 7 adventurous training periods, with a particularly demanding return leg to the UK in February.

Rona II

UK

The original Rona, a 77' classic ketch was bought by Lord Amory, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the 1960's for the Rona Trust (London Sailing Project), which he had formed to take parties of young sea cadets from London to sea.

The Rona Trust (LSP) now runs the Rona II, Donald Searle and Helen Mary R and takes young people from Scouts, Guides, colleges, sailing clubs, Youth Offending Teams, Social Services and care homes to experience life at sea. The LSP also runs voyages for deaf people, visually impaired people and those with severe learning difficulties.

The aim is to provide, through the medium of sea training in offshore craft, opportunities for young people and people with disabilities, to acquire the key attributes of a seaman - a sense of responsibility, resourcefulness and team-work - which will help them throughout their lives.

Akela

Russia

Akela was built in Poland in 1985 for the St-Petersburg Institute of Water Transport (University for Water Communications since 1993). The University has 10 yachts and its own marina for the education of students.

She has taken part in the Tall Ships Races seven times. In 1998, Akela took the first place in Espoo Suursaari Race in Helsinki. All yachts for the University usually take part in the Championship of St-Petersburg or Championship of Russia.

www.akelayacht.boom.ru

Lietuva

Lithuania

Constructed in Gdansk in 1976, this vessel is named after her country (in English her name would be Lithuania). She is owned by the only Lithuanian port city, Klaipeda (the vessel belongs to Klaipeda City Sea Sailing Club).

After the official restitution of Lithuanian Independence, Lietuva was the first vessel to carry the national flag cross the oceans. Lieutva made the first voyage in Lithuanian history around the world. She also sailed Columbus'92 - among 400 yachts and sailing vessels from all over the world, and came 1st in the first race and 2nd in the second race of the Transatlantic competition.

Hebe III

Czech Republic

Hebe III is a new Jeanneau SunFast 40 Performance, which is based in the Mediterranean. The original Hebe I was built in 1977, Hebe II was built in 1995 and took part in the 1996, 1997 and 1998 Tall Ships' Races. Hebe III was built in 1999 and took part in all legs of Tall Ships 2000 and has since been a regular participant in the European races.

Rzeszowiak

Poland

Rzeszowiak is the property of the Rzeszow Regional Union of Sailors.
Rzeszow is a beautiful city in the South of Poland near the Bieszczady Mountains and the name Rzeszowiak (which means a person from Rzeszow) was given to the vessel because of the realisation of the dream of those who live far from the sea, but want to sail.

Rzeszowiak was launched in 2000, but the history of the build started in 1988. The hull was built near Rzeszow in Lezajsk over 700km from the sea. The finished hull, with masts, was transported by truck to Gdansk where the vessel was finished and put into the water.

Liverpool Pilots

Liverpool Pilots have a proud history of service to shipping on the river Mersey since 1766.

The Pilots are privileged to put their expertise and commitment at the disposal of Tall Ships 2008.

www.liverpoolpilots.com