People who have experienced Tall Ships voyages are being asked to step forward to help establish a new database of sail trainees.

Tall Ships Bermuda wants to contact all of the young people who were placed on ships by Sail Training Bermuda in the 2000 Tall Ships Race of the Century, as well as those who have sailed in Tall Ships races in Europe each summer since then.

A spokesperson from Tall Ships Bermuda said the organisation wanted to establish a database of Bermuda sail trainees. "In 2000 we placed over 150 young people from Bermuda on various ships and unfortunately the master list of their names has gone missing.

"Ultimately, we would like to establish a group of past Tall Ship sail trainees and we look forward to hearing from all of the young people who have experienced this wonderful adventure," said the spokesman.

A party for former sail trainees and the young people who have applied for sail trainee berths in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 event is being planned for early March.

Past sail trainees are asked to send their contact details to info@tallships.bm

The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 race has been planned to celebrate Bermuda's 400th anniversary of permanent settlement.

The race begins in early May and involves seven ports including Bermuda. From June 11 to June 15, the Tall Ships will tie up along Front Street for a Tall Ships Festival.

People who wish to sign up as sail trainees, liaison officers and volunteers may sign up on the website: www.tallshipsbermuda.com.