The Bermuda Sloop Foundation will resort to “piracy” once more to raise funds for its voyages on-board the Spirit of Bermuda.

The organisation, which has just won the Tall Ships America Programme of the Year Award 2017, is to host its signature Pirates of Bermuda event next month.

Branwen Smith-King, executive director, said: “This award could not have come at a better time, as we are just embarking on BSF’s biggest fund raiser of the year, Pirates of Bermuda.

“Come out to support Bermuda Sloop Foundation as we continue to ‘Save Lives One Voyage at a Time, Over Time’ through sail training on Spirit of Bermuda.”

Ms Smith-King said more than 50 volunteer hostages were slated to either walk the plank into the “chilly waters of Hamilton Harbour” or be saved during the “fun-filled afternoon”.

It came after David Goodwin, BSF chairman, and captain Michael Moreland were presented with the Tall Ships America Programme of the Year Award 2017 at the Tall Ships Conference in New Orleans last week.

Ms Smith-King said it was a “great honour” for the foundation to be recognised by the sail training organisation.

The Programme of the Year Award 2017 is presented to a member programme that “significantly contributes to the development of seamanship, navigation skills, teamwork, and leadership skills”.

Spirit of Bermuda’s main programme provides five-day voyages for M3 pupils in Bermuda’s public and private schools.

Between 18 and 20 pupils take part in each trip and about 300 to 350 schoolchildren benefit from the sail training every year.

More than 4,000 pupils have taken part in the programmes since they were started eleven years ago.

Money raised through Pirates of Bermuda will go towards student voyages on Spirit.

The event will be held from 2pm to 4pm at #1 car park in Hamilton on March 11, with the rain date on March 18.

Donations to sink or save hostages can be made at www.ptix.bm/pirates.