A crew of 12 Regiment soldiers are due home from five days of learning on the ocean wave today.

The soldiers departed on the Spirit of Bermuda from Dockyard on Monday, to participate in adventurous sail training as part of Exercise Flying Onion.

In a statement from the Regiment issued earlier this week, Regimental Sailing Officer Captain Julian Wheddon explained that the aim was to develop young leaders and teamwork skills in an adventurous environment.

"Through this offshore sailing experience we are confident that we will enhance leadership skills and foster excellent team spirit. I am certainly looking forward to the challenge at sea," he said.

Captain Jack Morton of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation captained the Spirit for the exercise, assisted by his staff from the Foundation who are experienced in running similar learning trips for the Ministry of Education and other groups.

Capt. Morton developed Exercise Flying Onion in cooperation with former Regiment Staff Officer (SO) Major Christopher Swallow and current SO, Major Phil Birch (R ANGLIAN).

Major Birch said: "I am sure the team will learn a great deal at sea and then bring those valuable skills and experiences back to the Regiment, and beyond, for the benefit of all. We hope to encourage the soldiers to broaden their participation after this first experience, including participating in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009."

Private John Cook of QuarterMaster's Company was looking ahead at the start of the trip: "Five days offshore is one thing, but I hope to get the opportunity to go trans-Atlantic this summer," he said.

In addition to learning basic seamanship skills, the soldiers have been gaining exposure to the professional roles of the permanent crew including navigation and marine engineering.