What The Cirdan Sailing Trust does

The Cirdan Sailing Trust is a UK-registered charity (No. 1091598) founded in 1983 by Rev Bill Broad and headquartered at Bradwell Marina, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex. The Trust operates a fleet of three traditional sailing vessels — Queen Galadriel (1937 Baltic Trader, 32m, up to 16 berths), Faramir (1981 Bermudan Ketch, up to 15 berths), and Duet (1912 Edwardian racing yawl, up to 7 berths) — to deliver residential sail training voyages primarily for disadvantaged young people aged 11-25, including those with special educational needs, mental health challenges, and youth justice involvement. Core programmes include Youth Group Voyages, Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residentials, the Voyage to Recovery therapeutic programme with NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis services, and Adult & Corporate Voyages; the Trust is accredited as an RYA Training Centre, a DofE Approved Activity Provider, and operates under MCA 'Safety of Small Commercial Sailing Vessels' regulations.

The business model is a hybrid charity revenue stack: per-berth voyage fees ranging from £450 (3-day adult Adventurer) to £995 (Tall Ships Race), an annual membership scheme at £20 per person, merchandise sales (hoodies £14-£18, gift vouchers £25-£100), charitable donations via JustGiving and direct bank transfer, and corporate charters that cross-subsidise youth work. Bursary support is delivered through the Voyage of Discovery Fund (group subsidies) and individual bursaries up to £240. Go-to-market is community-led: direct booking via phone (01621 776684) and email ([email protected]), partnerships with schools, NHS teams, youth charities, and Sea Cadets, plus event-driven marketing through ASTO Small Ships Races, Tall Ships Races, Round the Island Race, and traditional sea festivals.

The Trust is governed by a 14-member Board of Trustees chaired by Charles Anderson DL. Leadership transitioned in April 2023 when Ed Humphries, a nine-year internal veteran with approaching 200 voyages, succeeded Leonie Back following her 22-year tenure as CEO. Distribution spans southeast, east, and south coast UK ports — Bradwell Marina, Ipswich Beacon Marina, and Poole — with departures routed around the British coast. The Tolkien-themed brand identity (Cirdan the shipwright, Galadriel, Faramir) and 40+ years of operational history, plus a 2006 Beacon Fellowship Prize, underpin brand equity in the UK sail training sector.

Name

The Cirdan Sailing Trust

Legal name

The Cirdan Sailing Trust (incorporating The Faramir Trust) Ltd

Website

https://cirdantrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cirdan Sailing Trust is a UK charity operating three heritage sailing vessels since 1983 to deliver residential sail training voyages for disadvantaged young people aged 11-25, including DofE Gold Residentials and an NHS-partnered Voyage to Recovery mental health programme, supplemented by adult and corporate charter income.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sail Training and Youth Development Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cruise Yacht Charters (Private Crewed) (THAEADAG), Cabin Charters & Shared Yacht Trips (THAEADAH)

Keywords

• Sail training voyages
• Youth development sailing
• Charitable sailing experiences
• Duke of Edinburgh residentials
• Outdoor adventure education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradwell-on-Sea

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Voyage Fees: Primary revenue from sailing voyage fees charged to youth groups, schools, and individuals. Pricing varies by voyage type, duration, and whether bursary support is provided. Youth Enrichment Voyages priced at £849 full price with £609 bursary option. Adult voyages at £450-£750. DofE residentials at £595-£849.
2. Membership Scheme: Annual membership subscription at £20 per person. Members receive AGM attendance, activity reports, newsletters, and details of promotions and events. Members can make additional voluntary contributions to the Voyage of Discovery Fund bursary account.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including hoodies (£14-£18), t-shirts, caps (£15), beanies (£11), tote bags (£12), water bottles (£18), keyrings (£2.50-£6), neck scarves (£6), books (£10), and gift vouchers (£25-£100).
4. Donations: Charitable donations accepted via JustGiving platform and direct bank transfer. Donations support the Voyage of Discovery Fund to subsidise costs for disadvantaged young people.
5. Corporate Charters and Client Hospitality: Vessels available for corporate events, team building, and client hospitality. Corporate charters charged at full or premium rates to cross-subsidise youth work. Numbers limited to 12 for client hospitality, up to 16 for staff training on Queen Galadriel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Cirdan Sailing Trust delivers residential sail training voyages aboard its three traditional vessels, primarily serving disadvantaged young people aged 12-25. Core offerings include tailored youth group voyages, Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residentials, adult voyages, the Voyage to Recovery therapeutic programme in partnership with NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis services, and corporate charters. RYA-accredited training, MCA-compliant safety, and the Blue Mind Therapy approach underpin the delivery.

Product overview

The Cirdan Sailing Trust operates a fleet of three traditional sailing vessels—Queen Galadriel (Baltic Trader, 1937), Faramir (Bermudan Ketch, 1981), and Duet (Edwardian Yawl, 1912)—offering residential sailing voyages primarily for disadvantaged young people aged 12-25. The core product is structured youth development voyages that combine sailing with personal development, available as group voyages, individual voyages (including Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residentials), and the specialised Voyage to Recovery mental health programme. Ancillary offerings include an adult voyage programme, membership scheme, merchandise store, and financial support through bursaries and the Voyage of Discovery Fund. The Trust is an RYA Training Centre and Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Voyage to Recovery: Therapeutic sailing adventure designed to support individuals recovering from psychosis, working with NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis teams.
• Voyage of Discovery Fund
• Cirdan Youth View
• Blue Mind Therapy

Products and services

• Youth Group Voyages Residential sailing voyages tailored for groups of young people aged 12-25, including disadvantaged youth, special educational needs schools, youth organisations, NHS service users, and charitable groups. Delivered on Queen Galadriel, Faramir, and Duet with team building, confidence building, and life skills development as primary outcomes.
• DofE and Individual Voyages Voyages for individuals aged 16-25, including approved Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential (minimum 4 nights/5 days) sign-off and RYA Start Yachting or Competent Crew certification. Designed for young people seeking adventure, skill development, or DofE award completion.
• Adult and Corporate Voyages Adult sailing voyages including individual places, sailing club adventures, team building events, corporate charters, and client hospitality. Available on Queen Galadriel, Faramir, and Duet. Proceeds support the Trust's youth work, with rates and numbers tailored by use case.
• Voyage to Recovery Therapeutic sailing adventure run in partnership with NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis teams, supporting individuals recovering from psychosis. Faramir circumnavigates the UK annually, with NHS teams supporting service users on different legs of the voyage. Uses an Adventure Therapy / Blue Mind Therapy approach.
• Merchandise Store Online e-commerce store offering Cirdan-branded merchandise including hoodies (£14-£18), t-shirts, caps (£15), beanies (£11), tote bags (£12), water bottles (£18), keyrings (£2.50-£6), neck scarves (£6), the 'Nice Looking Essex Girls Afloat' book (£10), and gift vouchers (£25-£100).
• Annual Membership Scheme Recurring annual membership at £20 per person. Members receive AGM attendance rights, activity reports, newsletters, and details of promotions and events, with optional additional voluntary contributions to the Voyage of Discovery Fund bursary.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved self-confidence, resilience, teamwork skills, and mental health wellbeing in young participants
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK's National Sail Training Organisation umbrella association. Cirdan is a prominent member. ASTO supports major British offshore sail training schemes and promotes adventurous sail training. Advises MCA on codes of practice and works with RYA on training standards.
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)coreOthersRegulatory body governing safety requirements for commercial sailing vessels. Cirdan operates under MCA 'Safety of Small Commercial Sailing Vessels - Code of Practice' regulations.
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK national association for recreational boating. Cirdan is a recognised RYA Training Centre offering RYA Start Yachting, Competent Crew and Watchleader certificates. Skippers hold RYA Yachtmaster with Commercial Endorsement.
• Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved Activity Provider (AAP) for Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Cirdan Skippers can assess and sign off Gold Duke of Edinburgh Residentials. Minimum 4 nights/5 days required.
• NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Voyage to Recovery programme partnering with NHS EIP teams across the UK. Each year Faramir circumnavigates the UK with different NHS teams supporting service users on different legs of the trip.
• P&I Club (Standard Club)minorOthersInsurance provider specialising in third party liability for shipowners, operators and charterers. Provides Cirdan's passenger liability insurance.
• Bird Aware Essex CoastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for bird watching voyages around the Blackwater Estuary. Participants collect data for Bird Aware to help protect nesting and feeding sites of protected waders and wildfowl.
• Venturers TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational trust that partnered with Cirdan for the Wettest Classroom on Earth project in 2019, delivering voyages on Queen Galadriel for academy schools.
• The Worshipful Company of GirdlersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLondon livery company that hosted a fundraising event at Girdlers Hall in September 2025. Awards Girdlers Medallion to outstanding Cirdan participants.
• JustGivingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline fundraising platform used for donations supporting the Voyage of Discovery Fund and 40th Anniversary campaign.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO): UK national sail training umbrella organisation of which Cirdan is a member. Sets training standards and coordinates industry activity; not a competitor but an ecosystem enabler.
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA): UK national governing body for sailing and boating, of which Cirdan is a recognised Training Centre. Issues the RYA Start Yachting and Competent Crew certifications Cirdan delivers; a regulator and infrastructure provider rather than a competitor.
• Sail Training International: International umbrella body for the sail training industry, organising events like the Tall Ships Races in which Cirdan participates. An enabling industry association rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Ocean Youth Trust South: South coast-based sail training charity offering personal development voyages for young people aged 12–25 on board a traditional sailing vessel. Directly comparable youth development mission and operating geography.
• Jubilee Sailing Trust: UK sail training charity operating traditional vessels (originally Lord Nelson and Tenacious) specifically for mixed-ability and disadvantaged people. Most directly comparable to Cirdan in mission, vessel profile, and target participant base.
• Adventure Under Sail: UK sail training charity operating the schooner Maybe, providing youth development and adventure voyages for young people. Comparable vessel profile, mission, and target demographic to Cirdan.
• Tall Ships Youth Trust: UK sail training charity providing voyages for young people aged 12–25 on board traditionally rigged tall ships, including DofE Residential programmes. Operates in the same youth sail training niche with similar vessel type and pricing structure.
• Blue Clipper Sailing Ventures: Operates a traditional sailing vessel offering sail training and youth development voyages. Comparable vessel-based youth training model, though typically smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• Sea Cadets: Large UK uniformed youth organisation offering maritime activities including sailing for 10–18 year olds. Overlaps with Cirdan's youth maritime development mission but operates at much greater scale and with a broader cadet/curriculum focus.

Regional players

• Trinity Sailing Foundation: Cornwall-based sail training charity offering traditional vessel voyages for young people and adults from a southern UK base. Operates similar classic vessel programmes but serves a different regional catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-cirdan-sailing-trust

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Cirdan Sailing Trust