There is still time to sign up to be a trainee on board one of a fleet of tall ships heading to Bermuda as part of a transatlantic voyage.

Nineteen ships taking part in The Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta set off from Britain last month, heading to Sines in Portugal before visiting the Canary Islands and then Bermuda.

After that they head off to Boston and Halifax, in Canada, before sailing to LeHavre, France, for the finish on September 3.

According to Craig Nikolai, project management at Tall Ships Bermuda 2017 & Sail Training Association of Bermuda, despite the fleet being under way there is still time to sign up to join them as a trainee.

“I would urge people to grab this opportunity with both hands,” Dr Nikolai said in a press release.

“It sounds like an old cliché, but this really is the chance of a lifetime. Don’t look back and think ‘what if’.”

No experience is necessary to be a trainee from Bermuda, who can be aged 16 and up. Bursaries of up to 75 per cent of the total cost are available for those demonstrating financial need and who are aged between 16 and 25. The Sail Training Association will also help with ways to raise the extra 25 per cent.

The tall ships will be in St George’s from May 26 to May 31 and in Hamilton from June 1 to June 5.

A series of events are being planned to mark the occasion including a concert by Bermuda’s Collie Buddz on June 2 with part of the proceeds going to the Sail Training Association.

Events in St George’s include an art walk, pub crawl, blessing of the boats, cricket match and cultural day with all museums and historic homes open without charge.

In Hamilton, as well as Collie Buddz there will be a street festival on Front Street with al fresco dining, the ships will be berthed alongside. A schedule of when they will be open to the public will be released soon.

There will be a trainee sports day and a crew parade starting at Barr’s Bay Park to Front Street, to Court Street and Dundonald Street before ending in Victoria Park.

Dr Nikolai added: “We have a full slate of events planned and will be releasing full details very soon. It is going to be a huge and fun celebration.”

Tickets for the Collie Buddz concert are available at www.ptix.bm

Anyone interested in volunteering should e-mail volunteer@tallships.bm. If you are interested in being a trainee on board a Tall Ship, e-mail trainee@tallships.bm or call 296-2238. For more information, visit the website at www.tallshipsbermuda.com or visit the Facebook page tallshipsbermuda.