The Bermuda Sloop will be given a prestigious award days after its first birthday.

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the Spirit of Bermuda. Next week Malcolm Kirkland, who is the executive director of the charity will be picking up the American Sail Training Association's (ASTA) Sail Training Programme of the Year Award.

He said: "What a surprise from overseas! We all have been working heads-down to show what Spirit can do as a development tool. "I am really happy for the professional crew and watch leaders who spend the time 24 x 7 with our youth aboard Spirit, literally, rain, blow or shine.

"I note ASTA singled out the word "patience" to describe our crew. That kind of behaviour modelling has to be the purest form of leadership and it is not easy.

"They also singled out the enthusiasm of the student crew who conducted tours to 40,000 Americans and Canadians. That's real ambassadorship."

The judges were looking for a programme which significantly contributes to the development of seamanship, navigation skills, teamwork, and leadership skills. Other criteria included clear training goals and curriculum, with opportunities for students to test their knowledge at sea.

A spokesman for ASTA said: "What impressed us the most was the commitment of captain, crew and programme operators to put 340 sail trainees through a very comprehensive programme.

"Spirit of Bermuda was one of three ships that sailed the entire Tall Ships Challenge this summer, from May to July, so the ASTA Race Team was able to observe the trainees and meet the older crew.

"It is a beautiful vessel, the trainees enthusiastic, and the crew professional and patient.

"The ship even won the third race of the series, from Portsmouth, NH to Halifax, NS, beating the naval vessels of the Netherlands, India and Germany."

Spirit of Bermuda, which has just begun her second year in operation, offers two programmes to young Bermudians.

One caters for middle school students and consists of a five-day voyage around the island. The Skiller programme is for young people aged 15 and above. These trips may either be based locally or involve an overseas voyage. The students join up with the ship's permanent crew and learn skills in engineering, seamanship, navigation, electronics and catering.

Captain Chris Blake said: "We are looking forward to next year's programme when many more young Bermudian students of all ages will benefit from their Spirit of Bermuda experience."