Hannah launched her career in Tall Ships as planned and everything went smoothly until a spell of illness left her unfit to work at sea. Now studying on our 40-week boat building course, she looks forward to going back to crewing on Tall Ships with a wealth of new skills:
“I originally started out sailing traditional sailing boats, square rigs in particular, and I volunteered on those as a bosun’s mate and a deck hand to learn all the skills I needed for my career.
“From there I got a winter contract with the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth as a rigger and the eventually a full-time paid job with the Sea Cadets as a bosun. It was all pretty mapped out.
“Unfortunately, I became ill at the end of last year with covid and pneumonia and because of all the medications I am on I’m not currently allowed to work at sea full time.
“I looked around for options to add to my skills during this time off and in joining the 40-week course I have effectively ‘side-stepped’ into learning how to both maintain boats and make them.
“The environment here at the BBA is slightly more male oriented, as you might expect, but it’s very equal and collaborative.
“It’s friendly and if someone knows how to do something, there’s no problem about asking them for help or advice, it’s very open and balanced.
“I would say to people thinking of joining the course – especially women – don’t let any perceived stereotypes about boat building hold you back. It’s a wonderful place to learn, the tutors are exceptional and any practical issues you might encounter will be quickly worked around.
“There’s also a whole ‘women in boatbuilding’ community out there to help and support you and they’re friendly with very close ties to the BBA.
“After the course I want to go back to sea, maybe as a bosun on tall ships and square rigs. It’s a role which is highly diverse, and requires a lot of repairing skills, and once I have completed this course, I will have those skills and many more.”
