The Onshore Team
As well as our highly experienced Afterguard, the Rona Sailing Project has the onshore team who organise the voyages, fundraise and ensure the maintenance of the fleet!
Meet The Team
One of the most astonishing features of the Project it is almost entirely volunteer based. We employ only five full time staff to run the Project. Each voyage is run by the volunteer Afterguard, which normally consists of a Skipper, a Mate, two Watch Officers and two Watch Leaders. This unique combination enables us to provide sea-borne adventures to nearly 2,000 young people every year!
Safety and Security
The Afterguard on the yachts are qualified for their rank as required by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It is a condition of sailing on the Project yachts that all the Afterguard have an up to date clearance with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The Afterguard
The Afterguard is the collective term for the volunteers on the boat, and typically made up of 6 people. On a Sail Training Voyage (STV) there can be up to 13 young people, referred to as the ‘Crew’ or the ‘Trainees’, on board in addition to the Afterguard. The Trainees are normally divided into two Watches during the voyage.
To be a member of the Afterguard, each volunteer is expected to participate in one refit weekend, one familiarisation voyage and one Sail Training Voyage per year. They are also invited to make a voluntary donation.
Sarah Woodman (Project Director)
Brid Barrett stood down in 2023 as Project Director after nearly nine years in post.
We were delighted to welcome Sarah to the Project in November 2023. Sarah joins us from the NHS where she worked as a specialist diabetes dietitian for many years and most recently in a senior operational/leadership role across community physical health services.
She has volunteered with Girlguiding for over 30 years and loves being in, on and around the water.
Email: director@ronasailingproject.org.uk or sarah@ronasailingproject.org.uk
Phone: 07918 766043
Ann Bowers (Project Secretary)
Ann, who has lived in Southampton for the majority of her life, joined the Rona Sailing Project in 1998 as the part time Project Secretary. Before this she had worked at a commercial sailing school and then taken a sabbatical to raise her family.
Ann’s role has grown alongside the Project and she became full time in 2003. During her time with the Project she has seen many changes and improvements, and has also taken up the opportunity to sail on a few trips in the position of Supernumerary.
Outside the Project, Ann is involved with raising awareness and funds for Group B Strep Support, a cause close to her heart.
Sara Blusch (Project Admin)
Sara is our newest team member and joined the Rona Sailing Project in February 2024. With experience of working in school kitchens and her own cake company, Sara is responsible for victualling the boats (ensuring that the voyages are well stocked with food and other consumables). A well fed crew is a happy crew!!
Outside the Project, Sara lives in Southampton with her family and is a keen baker.
Jason Howell (Project Engineer)
Jason started with the Project in 1985, working alongside his father Ken who was our Fleet Officer at the time. Jason is the Project Engineer and as such has been involved in the build of both Rona II and Merrilyn. Before joining the Project he was a sheet metal worker.
Jason has, on occasion, sailed as a Watch Officer in the RSP. Outside of the Project Jason has a passion for steam engines and motorbikes.
Steve White (Fleet Coordinator)
A renowned shipwright, Steve joined The Rona Sailing Project from Hamble Yachting Services (HYS), in January 2020. In his various roles with HYS over the years has worked on all of our vessels including Gunna and the original Rona and was involed in the build of Helen Mary R.
In his spare time, Steve enjoys gardening, DIY and classic car restoration.