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April 24, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


This release is being distributed on behalf of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

Volunteers sought for historic Trans-Atlantic voyage

Adventure on the high seas will be in store for 40 young Newfoundland and Labrador sailors this summer when a vessel of the famed Portuguese White Fleet covers the well-travelled nautical path between Portugal and St. John's.

This summer, the Creoula, a four-masted sailing vessel that once travelled here annually with the White Fleet will return to Newfoundland and Labrador waters, this time on a cultural exchange, and with the participation of 40 young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as crewmembers. They will be joined by 5 young Portuguese-Canadians selected from applicants in Montreal and Toronto.

The Creoula Voyage is a project of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, and represents an exciting opportunity for young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who wish to serve as volunteer crewmembers, says foundation chairperson Victoria Collins.

"The event will be a cultural opportunity for youth from Portugal and Canada to learn about the relationships that were established when the Portuguese White fleet regularly visited St. John's," Collins says. "The exchange will see about 20 young Canadian representatives fly to Portugal to join the Creoula for her departure from the port of Aveiro, while 25 more will meet the vessel when she arrives in St. John's and join her for the return trip."

An equal number of young people from Portugal will make up the other half of the crew for each leg of the trans-Atlantic voyage. "The project will also include several days of cultural activities in Portugal, including a visit to Expo `98, and further heritage-related activities in St. John's," says project manager Ken Corbett. "There will also be an opportunity to explore the new and developing technologies in each other's countries."

The positions are available to male and female Canadian citizens, aged 18 to 22, who are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Sailing experience is an asset, but not essential. All selected youth will participate in a 10-day training program conducted by the Marine Institute in St. John's that will include survival training, as well as general seamanship.

Project kits containing additional information and application forms can be obtained from the Heritage Foundation in St. John's, the Marine Institute, as well as all high schools, public colleges, and the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation in St. John's, or by calling (709) 739-1936. All applications must be received by May 15, 1998.

Names will be drawn at random if the number of successful applicants exceeds the available berths, and it is anticipated that the selected candidates will be notified in early June. The selected candidates will be required to take a medical examination, and be available for one of the two trans-Atlantic voyages between mid-July and late August, or mid-August to late September.

There is no financial requirement for the participants, other than personal spending money. The project will be funded by Federal and Provincial government departments and agencies as well as private corporations. Fishery Products International is the first company to become a sponsor, and opportunities for other corporate sponsors are currently being explored. Any company interested in becoming a sponsor should call (709) 739-1936 for more information.

The Creoula Voyage is a project of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, with the participation of the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, the City of St. John's, and the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Contact: Ken Corbett, Project Manager - the Creoula Voyage, (709) 739-1936

1998 04 24 11:05 a.m.

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