WITH the highly anticipated event exactly six months away, the organisers of June's Tall Ships Challenge this week called for 250 locals to step forward and volunteer their time and skills – whether on one of the ships or on dry land, writes Clare O'Connor.

Bermuda's Tall Ships co-ordinator Paulina Brooks told the Mid-Ocean News that while a number of residents have already offered to help run the event next June, there are still plenty of volunteer vacancies for those hoping to be part of the festivities, which have been seven years in the making.

Mrs. Brooks (pictured) said that the main bulk of the voluntary work would be simply ensuring the ships' crews feel welcome during their time in Bermuda.

"We're looking for people to offer on-island hospitality, whether taking the crew for a barbecue, or just for a hot shower and to do laundry, or for a sightseeing trip," she said.

"We need young people to be 'crew buddies' – 17 or 18 year olds, anyone who feels confident enough to help the trainee sailors, answer crew questions about Bermuda and become friends."

Other volunteer roles still needing to be filled include interpreters, chauffeurs, social committee members, IT specialists, and office workers among many other positions.

Mrs. Brooks explained that while Bermuda's Tall Ships celebration itself is in mid-June, she will need volunteers as early as May in preparation for the first of the expected 35 ships to cross the finish line of the international race.

"The actual Tall Ship race starts on May 3, so it is coming up really soon," she said. "Our big festival is from the 11th to the 15th of June, and it's a huge event, when all the ships will be in Hamilton Harbour. We expect ships to start arriving around June 1, and we're looking for volunteers and liaison officers, plus people aged 15 to 30 looking to sail on one of the legs as a trainee."

Bermuda's five-day Tall Ships festival is part of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, a major race event involving seven ports and crews made up of young people from all over the world. The race starts in the town of Vigo, Spain on May 3, with the fleet then racing to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The ships then head across the Atlantic to Bermuda, berthing first in St George's and Dockyard before arriving en masse in Hamilton Harbour on June 11th.

The following week will see parties, events and a parade before the ships depart for the US on June 15.

Mrs. Brooks – an avid Tall Ships sailor herself – is one of only two permanent staff at Bermuda's Tall Ships headquarters, and has been working for a year in advance of the race, which is part of the island's 400th birthday celebration.

She hopes, however, to dispel the misconception that the event is being funded in any part by Bermuda's quadricentennial committee – in fact, she still actively seeks corporate sponsors.

"It's exciting; it's a huge event," she said. "Our focus is on getting young people to join up. If you choose to be a trainee sailor, it could be on a short leg for 3 days or as long as 25 days."

Mrs. Brooks encourage locals interested in volunteering or participating in the race itself to visit the Tall Ships Bermuda web site at www.tallshipsbermuda.com, where they can find comprehensive information. Anyone wishing to sign up in person can visit the Tall Ships office in the L.P. Gutteridge Building on Bermudiana Road.

She added that any Bermudians wishing to be placed on the local vessel Spirit of Bermuda rather than any other ships for the race could also sign up through the Tall Ships programme.