A group of German students sailed into the Island last week and took a ride on the Spirit of Bermuda.

Students from the High Seas High School, in Spiekeroog, went aboard the tall ship along with 15 people from the Ministries of Education and Youth and Sport.

Their ship, Thor Heyerdahl, has a youth sailing programme similar to the Spirit of Bermuda. It was docked in St. George's for a few days after returning from the Caribbean.

An exchange programme between the two boats is the main idea says Swaantje Fock, the student co-ordinator.

"We are interested in a cooperation with the>Spirit of Bermuda. We always pass Bermuda on our way back home, so we thought it would be a good idea," she said.

"Many of our students want to see other countries, and they want to learn to sail traditional ships." School lessons are taught during the expedition, which aims at better understanding in different cultures, as well as team building and sailing skills.

Ms Fock added: "They have to be good academically and have motivation to be selected. They take lessons aboard the ship so they are not behind when they return home."

Since 1993, 26 young people between the ages of 15 and 18 are selected to navigate the oceans for six months. Voyages start from Germany and sail via the Canary Islands, to Central or South America, the Caribbean, US and back home via Bermuda.

When asked about her impressions of Bermuda, she said: "This is my first time in Bermuda, and I think the environment is very pretty and interesting."