Sail training: perspectives of seagoing staff

Much of the extant sail training literature focuses on the benefits of this non-formal residential outdoor experience at sea from the perspective of crew participants; there are, however, other perspectives, such as the sea staff who support sail training voyages. This chapter discusses the sociocultural characteristics of the sailing vessel-at-sea (e.g., total institution, community of practice, cultural community) from the perspectives of those involved. It conceptualises sail training as a social learning space in which the uncertainty and inescapability of the sailing experience contribute to growth in identity and self within the social and cultural environment of the milieu. Concepts of ocean literacy and blue spaces are also incorporated as dimensions of the sail training experience.