THE Penarth Challenge Wales charity which operates the Challenge Wales Tall Ship is set to expand its activities as the charity has taken ownership of a second ocean-going vessel.

The 60ft schooner, currently named Ocean Venture, was purpose built for adventure and over the years she has circumnavigated the world, won First in Class in the famous Round the Island Race, raced in numerous transatlantic activities and taken part in the international Tall Ships Races.

More recently she has been used in outreach work providing teamwork and leadership opportunities with disadvantaged people.

Slightly smaller than the 72 foot Challenge Wales yacht, the new vessel will enable the charity to expand its sail training activities into Nnrth Wales and strengthen the charity’s current activities in west Wales, Ireland and other ports around the UK.

Sail training is about learning life skills which can build confidence, teamwork and employability skills.

During 2017 the charity introduced accredited learning through Agored Cymru which has helped increase the number of young people it currently works with. The second vessel will enable the charity to expand this activity.

The project has been supported by the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government and through the Social Business Growth Fund, which is managed by WCVA (Welsh Council of Voluntary Action).

Over four days, Challenge Wales volunteers sailed her from Cowes, Isle of Wight, up to her new port of Penarth in time for the New Year.

With 2018 being celebrated in Wales as The Year of the Sea, the Challenge Wales charity will be using both vessels to play its part.