Adventure-Ship

Adventure-Ship is a registered charity that maintains the 27.5 metre sailing junk, the Huan, and provides nautical training programmes for underprivileged children and children with disablilities. Adventure-Ship is a member of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and is funded mainly by the Community Chest and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Each year, more than 6 000 young people from children and youth centres, institutions for the disabled, outreach teams and schools benefit from the training programmes offered. The training consists of day or overnight trips (up to three days and two nights) within the waters of Hong Kong. The ship can accommodate 60 youngsters on day trips and 50 on overnight voyages.

Challenge through 'Disciplined Entertainment' is the main theme of training. Once on board, participants are regarded as members of the ship's crew and take part in the operational routines. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, they are trained to face new challenges and participate in activities that build team spirit and self-confidence.

The training programmes have been devised to cope with various weather conditions and the special requirements of children of different aptitudes and backgrounds. Over the years, the Adventure-Ship project has created new horizons for many thousands of young people.

In 2001, Adventure-Ship began a new programme to build a replacement sail-training vessel. The new vessel will be a 131-foot three-masted sailing junk, with purpose-built facilities for crew members with disabilities. In addition, the new ship will have significantly reduced maintenance costs through the use of modern design techniques and materials with a design life of at least 50 years.