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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 disabilities.
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 benefit from the
training programmes offered. The training
consists of day or overnight trips (up
to three days and two nights) within Hong
Kong waters. 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.
Adventure-Ship is making
good progress with its programme to build
a replacement sailing training vessel
for the Huan, which has been
in service for more than 28 years. Building
of the new vessel is due to be completed
in Spring 2006. The vessel will be named
the Jockey Club Huan, in recognition
of Hong Kong Jockey Club's donation of
$24 million to fund construction. The new 34.5-metre vessel
will be equipped with a full range of
amenities for those participating in the
training courses provided on board in
addition to modern navigation aids. The
hull of three-masted traditional-rig sailing
junk is made of aluminium. Various purpose-built
access facilities will be installed in
the Jockey Club Huan to facilitate
the participation of trainees with disabilities. |