A group of youths vigorously tugged at the ropes and halyards in an effort to hoist the sails.
Through their combined efforts, the sheets were unfurled to be filled by the wind and the ship started gliding through the clear Mediterranean Sea.
“Teamwork is just one of a multitude of life skills youths learn through sailing,” Ben Stuart, general secretary of the Malta Sail Training Association, explains.
Those two days gave me a direction in life. I know this is what I want to do
“When you’re climbing a 30-metre high mast and moving over an inch-thick rope to set the sail, you might find that the person to say ‘I’m with you’ is not your best friend but the one you previously dismissed as a pain in the neck.
“And this, I believe, is called judgement.”
Through the association, which is the 42-year-old’s brainchild, teenagers are given the opportunity to go on an adventure on a traditionally-rigged sailing ship (tall ship). Once on board, they are involved in all aspects of the ship’s operation, leaving them with a life-changing experience.
Last year, Mr Stuart, who is also general manager of the Grand Harbour Marina, took 15 teenagers, five of whom were under care orders and lived in a home, on a two-day sailing trip.
“It was a fortifying experience for them. Here in Malta, we tend to live in an oasis. Schools don’t promote life skills and individual responsibility,” he said.
The association would like sail training to be incorporated into the national curriculum, as successfully done in other countries.
“Sailing challenges the kids physically, mentally and emotionally and helps them grow into wholesome individuals.”
This year, four youths will also be given the opportunity to set sail, this time around the Baltic Sea. On Saturday, they will fly to Riga, Latvia, where they will board an impressive tall ship called Gulden Lueew to take part in a 10-14 day race with five other ships.
On deck they will be accompanied by 36 foreigners, most of whom are youths.
Sixteen-year-old Bertha Sammut is one of the four to set sail on Saturday. Mr Stuart first met her last year after her concerned parents approached him when the girl threatened to drop out of school three months before her O level exams. She was one of the 15 who joined the sailing trip last year.
“She was terrific. She spent the whole afternoon at the helm, steering a 300-tonne boat with open sails.”
Sailing challenges the kids physically, mentally and emotionally
Ms Sammut agrees that was the most fascinating moment.
“I had such a wonderful time those two days and learnt so much. It gave me such a boost. I climbed the mast and unfurled the four sails at the bow of the ship.
“Those two days gave me a direction in life. I know this is what I want to do.”
Ms Sammut subsequently enrolled in the Maritime Institute of the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology where she placed top of her class. She wants to become a captain.
“Bertha was totally disillusioned with academia. Now, she learns mathematics to apply it to navigation,” Mr Stuart adds.
“It’s a great example of an alternative way of educating. In a space of 12 months, we could have had a person who dropped out of school and ended up demotivated and setting lower aspirations. Instead, we have Bertha who wants to become a captain.”
The teenager will be joined by Keith Ferranti, 18, who is also a student at the Maritime Institute.
“I’m not built for academia. I tried. I went to the Higher Secondary School but ended leaving after a year. Now I’m a proud student of the Maritime Institute. The subject fascinates me.”
Sailing, Mr Ferranti said, helps teach responsibility. Sailors need to know, for instance, the regulations of protected areas. They would also need to plan according to wind force and currents.
“I can’t wait to embark on Saturday’s adventure,” he smiled, as Ms Sammut nodded fervently in agreement.
The other two youngsters to set sail with the small team on Saturday are Luke Scicluna, 19, and Jak Dougall, 18.