Safety & Child Protection

Your trust matters

We understand that entrusting your child to one of our offshore Sail Training voyages is a significant decision. We know that safety, well-being, and safeguarding are not optional considerations; they are fundamental to your trust. At Morvargh Sailing Project, the physical and emotional safety of every young person is central to how we plan, staff, and deliver our voyages. Safeguarding is not treated as a separate policy requirement; it is embedded into daily life on board.

Life aboard Helen Mary R is structured, supervised, and purposeful. Young people are never left to manage risk alone. Every activity, sailing, cooking, or going ashore, takes place within clear boundaries and under the guidance of trained adults. We aim to strike the right balance between independence, challenge and care. Young people are encouraged to step forward and take responsibility, but always within an environment where support is constant and expectations are clear. Safety at sea is about systems, culture, and people working together. We focus on all three.

Sail Training takes place in a dynamic environment. Alongside safeguarding, the physical safety of the vessel and everyone aboard is fundamental to our work. Helen Mary R operates as a small commercial vessel and is subject to an annual independent survey by the Royal Yachting Association on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, following the UK’s new Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice.

This survey assesses the vessel’s structure, stability, safety equipment, machinery, and onboard systems to ensure they meet the required standards for carrying young people at sea. Compliance is not a one-off exercise. It is an ongoing responsibility that shapes how the vessel is maintained, equipped, and operated throughout the year. This framework ensures that voyages are planned carefully, risks are assessed realistically, and decisions are made with safety as the priority.

Morvargh Sailing Project is a member of the Association of Sail Training Organisations. ASTO membership reflects our commitment to recognised Sail Training standards, peer learning, and continuous improvement. ASTO supports best practice across safety, safeguarding, training, and governance. Being part of this professional community allows us to benchmark our work, share learning, and remain accountable within the wider Sail Training sector. For parents and partner organisations, this offers reassurance that Morvargh does not operate in isolation; our work sits within a nationally recognised framework of quality and responsibility.

Safety on board is created through systems, training, and culture. Young people are actively involved in safety briefings, drills, and routines, helping them understand not only what to do but also why it matters. This shared understanding builds confidence and competence. It also reinforces one of Sail Training's core values: that responsibility, when properly supported, helps young people grow. 

Safeguarding is proactive and preventative. We work to create an environment where young people feel safe, respected, and able to speak up.

This includes:

• Clear behaviour standards for both young people and adults
• Strong professional boundaries between crew and trainees
• An emphasis on respect, inclusion, and kindness on board
• A culture where concerns are taken seriously and acted upon

Young people are briefed at the start of every voyage on what to expect, how to ask for help, and who to speak to if they feel uncomfortable or worried. We make sure they know they will be listened to. All staff and volunteers working with young people are carefully recruited and supported. Safeguarding checks, including DBS clearance, are mandatory. Training is refreshed regularly, and expectations around conduct, communication, and responsibility are clear. Overall safeguarding responsibility sits with the Project Director, with clear escalation routes to external agencies when required. This ensures that concerns are managed consistently, appropriately, and in line with statutory guidance.

Exploring new places is an important part of Sail Training. Shore time can help build independence, confidence, and cultural awareness. It must also be carefully managed. Any time ashore is planned, risk assessed, and supervised. Boundaries are clear, communication is maintained, and young people are never placed in situations beyond what is appropriate for their age, group, or environment. Parents often tell us that this balance between independence and structure is one of the reasons they feel confident in our approach. We believe trust is built through openness. Our safeguarding approach is supported by clear, up-to-date policies that align with statutory guidance and sector best practice.

These documents explain our procedures in detail and are available to read in full: