Looking beyond… Then seeing it through…
Operating Tectona; our partner charities.
2017 is TECTONA's 9th season since she returned to her role sail training out of Plymouth.
She is operated by The Island Trust a well-respected local sail training charity, under an agreement where she is provided to them free of charge (i.e. no hire or charter fees). In return they pay for all the operating costs such as salaries and maintenance.
The voyages arranged by Tectona Trust have to be bought back from Island Trust but in return we have the huge benefit of permanent sea staff, who become very good indeed at what they do.
Island Trust and Tectona Trust have an excellent co-operative working relationship. Although the finances are run according to our contract, there is a great deal of mutual support between the organisations. Our own contribution to this includes sorting out problems that occasionally happen on board Tectona (eg: sudden failure of our 24V generator or mainsail repairs requiring a rapid appointment with the sailmaker) to minimise down-time, but also sharing our own projects such as research and professional development.
Tectona Trust's main priority
is our Recovery Programme, using offshore voyages to help people rebuilding their lives after addiction. For several years we worked with UK
wide rehab charity Phoenix Futures, but due to financial constraints this ceased in 2015.
We are now partnering with the Shekinah Mission, a highly respected Devon charity providing life-resources for homeless people, many of whom have had drug problems.
In 2016 we did 2 weeks' voyages as part of our programme with them, and hope to slowly increase this in the years to come.
See www.shekinah.co.uk .
The Island Trust now operates 3 vessels: Tectona (74 Tons) Pegasus (38 Tons) and Moosk (17 Tons).
They employ eight sea-going and administrative staff, some as seasonal workers but most as full-time employees.