Morgenster: Antwerp (BE) - Kiel (DE)

Clean Circle Navigators Exchange@sea Powered by Erasmus+ Sail Training

15-25: € 1000,-
26-28 (at request): € 1560,-

Book this journey

21 July - 02 August 2024

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Sustainable Exchange@sea on board the Morgenster. For participants from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Norway and France. Step on board in Antwerp, a famous port city of Belgium, and sail up the coast and across the North Sea to Arendal in Norway, before turning south again towards Kiel. Sail a Tall Ship with international trainees, learning everything from steering to climbing the masts. Take part in a citizen science project, doing microplastic research of the seas. Organise coastal cleanups and leave visited places cleaner than you’ve found them. Join intercultural activities and share your national dishes, music and more, facilitated by the mentors. Enjoy life at sea, away from mobile reception, where you can focus on making new friends, looking for dolphins and observing the stars. For young Windseekers aged 15-25, ages 26-28 at request. Participate in Dinghy to raise money for your journey and learn new things about yourself. Additional fees may apply due to the necessity of becoming a member of a partner organisation of your country (up to € 25-50).
There are no more places available for Dutch or German trainees; for Norwegians – at request. Dutch trainees can join one of these Exchanges instead!

About the Journey

Sail the Dutch brig Morgenster from Belgium to Germany via Norway with young participants from different countries. Stand behind the helm and set course for the horizon - can you feel the rush from steering a large Tall Ship by yourself? Climb the masts to unpack the sails, and take in the amazing views while you're there, before coming back down to pull the lines and hoist up the sails together. Plot your course on the charts, and note your position, speed, and the wind force in the Ship's log.

Make international friends, and share your own culture with them. Discover the similarities and differences between your nations, help the cook prepare your national meal for everyone, and make an international playlist of the voyage! Join the games and activities organised by mentors, and challenge yourself both on board, and on land. During an Exchange@sea you will not get the chance to be bored!

Reach the land and organise a coastal cleanup. Analyse the kind of trash you've found, and learn about its influence on the oceans from The Ocean Movement scientist who will join you for this journey. Learn to prepare your own, plastic-free, cosmetics, and collect water samples from the sea before analysing them and entering the results into a global database. Learn about marine ecosystems, share the best sustainable practices from your country, and brainstorm the solutions to everyday problems.

No budget? No worries! The Windseeker Dinghy will help you get on board. The program, much more than just a fundraising training, is part of your preparation and included in the Exchanges. Raise money for your journey, supported by an experienced coach. Learn new things about yourself and gain life skills. It is also a great way to connect with other trainees. Let us know at booking if you’d like to take part. Join Dinghy and get going!

Ports

This city in Belgium is the capital of Antwerp province. With a population of 510,610 it is the most populous city in Belgium. Its metropolitan area houses around 1,200,000 people. Antwerp is on the River Scheldt, linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The Port of Antwerp is one of the biggest in the world, ranking third in Europe and within the top 20 globally. There is a theory about the name Antwerp: "The wharf where ships berth".

Kiel is a German port town on the Baltic coast, widely known for its yearly ‘Kiel week’ – the biggest yearly regatta in the world! Many thousands of boats and ships of all kinds and eras take part in the parade. Kiel Week is also a festival, Volksfest and fair as well as a maritime event. But Kiel offers more: a slew of museums (zoological, geological, historical, fine art, industrial, and military museums), a city centre with relaxed atmosphere, and the water and shores of the Kieler Fjord.

Antwerp (BE)
Kiel (DE)

Sponsorship and costs

This journey is co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The subsidized youth price for this journey is € 1000,- per trainee instead of the regular price of € 1560.

Traveling to-and-from the ports will be reimbursed by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union. Reimbursement up to a certain amount, depending on the trainee’s country (according to the rules of the Erasmus+ Program).

Maximum possible reimbursement: from € 180 to € 320, depending on the country of origin and mode of transport (there is a higher subsidy for green travel options). The reimbursement will take place several months after the journey, based on receipts and tickets.

The participants of this and other Erasmus+ journeys can join the Dinghy fundraising program for free (without the usual € 75 fee.)

Key points

Dates: 21 July 2024 - 2 August 2024
Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
For Windseekers 15-25 years, age 26-28 at request
Participating countries: Belgium, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and France
Windseekers joining: maximum 36
No sailing experience required!
Official language on board: English
Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
Travel to-and-from ports will be reimbursed under Erasmus+ regulations (rules apply)
Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
Need to take with you on board: sleeping bags and towels
Windseekers from the Netherlands, France and Belgium need to become members of their countries' sail training associations for an additional fee (€ 25 - € 50)

"I have learned that despite my small size, I can do anything if I put my mind to it."

Samantha (18), Australia

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Shipping type: Brig

Homeport: Den Helder (NL)

Date built: 1919

Trainees: 35

Length: 48 m

Height of mast: 29 m

Sail: 600 m²

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