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June 6, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Volunteer Crew Complement for Matthew Doubled

The volunteer crew complement for the Matthew's tour of Newfoundland and Labrador has been increased almost two-fold in light of the incredible response from interested parties, says Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Sandra Kelly

"When we put forward the concept of a volunteer crew to help sail the Matthew on her Cabot 500 tour, it was envisaged that 64 volunteer crewmembers would each sail two legs of the 16-leg endeavour," Kelly says. "With the number of replies we've received, we've had to restructure the crew allocation to include as many volunteers as possible."

When the Matthew arrives at Bonavista on June 24, a core crew of veterans will guide the vessel on her 17-port tour of Newfoundland and Labrador. Eight positions are available on each leg for volunteer crewmembers, and a call for participants was issued by Tourism Minister Kelly on April 2, with a closing date of April 25.

"In the time available to apply, the Cabot celebrations received over 1,000 requests for applications forms, with 651 being completed and returned by the deadline," she says. "The original concept called for each volunteer crewmember to sail two legs of the tour, but with the overwhelming response, we've opted to change the participation to one leg each."

Kelly noted that in two instances of the Matthew tour, volunteer crewmembers will stay on for two legs due to the short duration of the trip between Bonavista and Grates Cove, and Red Bay and St. Anthony.

"This increases the level of volunteer participation, enabling more people to take part in this memorable element of our Cabot 500 celebrations," Kelly adds.

Matthew advisory committee member and mariner Tom Harris helped oversee the crew selection process, and said he was quite pleased with the calibre of the volunteer participants.

"Men and women have applied, many with pretty impressive sailing experience," he says. "Because of the sheer volume of the responses, we had to implement a draw process for participants from three categories of skill levels, experienced, intermediate, or novice."

Harris noted there were more than enough qualified applicants to increase the overall participation and still maintain a required level of sailing skill to effectively help sail the Matthew.

Of the 137 participants, 107 are male, and 30 are female. The selection committee has also prepared a back-up crew in the event some first-string participants are unable to take part.

Successful applicants for the volunteer crew are being notified by mail of their status, as are stand-by crewmembers.

Following the Matthew's arrival at Bonavista June 24, she will undertake a further 16-port tour of the island with a call at Red Bay, Labrador. Volunteer crewmembers will be provided with costumes consistent with 15 century apparel, and will serve as members of John Cabot's crew for each port of call.

Each port of call for the Matthew will feature a landfall re- enactment by Rising Tide Theatre, performances by the Irish Descendants, and a fireworks display as anchor events to complement local presentations.

"The Matthew tour will be a highlight of the summer, but in fact is only one of many spectacular elements of our 500th anniversary celebrations," Kelly said, adding she was delighted so many Newfoundland and Labrador mariners have vied for a spot on the Matthew's crew.

Contact: Doug Burgess, Manager of Communications, Cabot 500 Celebrations, (709) 729-1997.