MEMBERS of the Camden Voluntary Police Cadet unit joined the Tall Ship Pelican in the ship’s home port of Weymouth.

Following a night on board the ship, they set sail early on Sunday morning and were treated to a day’s sailing around Weymouth Bay.

While on board, the cadets were able to take part in an ‘up-and-over’ where they were trained in using safety harnesses and were allowed to ascend the 34ft mast to the first platform and then descend on the other side.

PC Adam Owers of the Metropolitan Police, who runs the cadets unit said: “The kids loved it and once they got into it, they didn’t stop talking about it.

“They all performed an ‘up-and-over’, albeit with some apprehension initially, but then once back down they wanted to go up again. It really was an amazing experience.”

Pelican is a sail training vessel so the youngsters were able to get involved in all aspects of sailing the 45m vessel under the instruction and guidance of the ship’s crew, despite many of them never having been on a ship before.

Becky Simmons, marketing and fundraising officer at Adventure Under Sail, which operates the tall ship, added: “It’s thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund that we were able to make this fantastic experience possible.”

The Tall Ship Pelican have day sails and voyages throughout the year available to people from all walks of life.

No previous sailing experience is required.

For more information visit adventureundersail.com or telephone 858274.