Two men have taken to the high seas for a 25-day race through the Great Lakes on the Tall Ship Bark Europa.

Department of Marine & Ports Services employees Damian Tucker, 36, and Torian Morrisey, 23, set sail for Toronto, Canada on Monday.

Once there, they will take part in the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge 2010. They will compete with ships from around the world racing to all five Great Lakes ports.

The men said they were grateful to the department for sponsoring the voyage.

The seamen were asked by Sail Training Association Bermuda to take part in the opportunity and join the ship as sail trainees.

Said association chairman John Wadson: "This is a truly unique opportunity for young Bermudians to travel and anyone who is interested in sail training can find more information on our website."

According to Director of Marine & Ports Services Francis Richardson, the department is committed to training civil servants and industrial employees.

He said: "Damien and Torian have been identified as strong candidates for further development and most importantly, they were keen to take advantage of this training opportunity and experience when it was offered.

"Our department continues to work closely with Sail Training Association Bermuda and we are extremely appreciative for their hard work and commitment to providing this unique experience and exposure for our employees and others within the Bermuda maritime fraternity."

For more information on the programme visit www.tallshipsbermuda.com.