Blue Mermaid (Sea Change Sailing Trust) x OGA Younger Members
The OGA and the Sea-Change Sailing Trusts are thrilled to announce a new collaboration between the two organisations. We will be working together to bring awareness of historic barges to young sailors. The first event will be in September 2026 with more information available below!
Commissioned in 2019, Blue Mermaid is a faithful replica of the original Blue Mermaid. Blue Mermaid is comprised of a steel hull and deck and has all the traditional rigging and decking of a sea-going Thames sailing barge, with basic facilities below. The interior of the barge has basic accommodation including a bunk for every participant, and a galley stocked with all the cutlery, crockery and pans required to cater for hungry sailors.
Blue Mermaid is also engineless! This provides a great opportunity to not only go at the natural pace of the elements but also how to better understand the effects of wind and tide on a vessel. If there is no or very little wind then there are alternative means of propulsion in the form of sculling blades - how many people can say they have rowed an 87 foot, 65 tonne barge!!
Who are Sea Change Sailing Trust?
Based in Maldon, Essex, their sailing area is the tidal rivers and coastline of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent, including the River Thames and London.
Sea Change Sailing Trust's primary work is with groups of young people who live aboard Blue Mermaid for up to a week, together with their group leaders, but we also sail with groups of adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and those with dementia and their supporters.
Their aim is not to teach people to sail, but through living together onboard Blue Mermaid and fully participating in all activities onboard, from handling sails, climbing the rigging, and steering, to helping to prepare a meal for all the crew, that people develop transferrable skills like communication, resilience, team working and personal confidence, which help them in their lives ashore.
They like to enter Blue Mermaid in the historic series of Barge Matches that take place annually around the East Anglian coastline. These Thames sailing barge races make a good spectacle to be viewed from the shore and they help to keep people informed about the history of Thames sailing barges. On these occasions the trust is able to invite a group of up to eight paying adult guests onboard for an overnight stay and participation in the race. Funds raised from these occasions help to support the work of the charity.
You can find out more about Sea Change Sailing Trust here.
You can also support their invaluable work by donating directly to Sea Change Sailing Trust here.
Colne Smack & Barge Match with the Sea-Change Sailing Trust on Blue Mermaid, 4-5 September 2026
A unique opportunity has been offered by Sea-Change Sailing Trust for the OGA Younger Members to do a takeover of the beautiful Blue Mermaid and take part in the Colne Smack & Barge Match. Blue Mermaid is a unique barge in that she has no engine and her interior has been maintained in the same fashion as the original working barges (think minimilist and back to basics).
The trip will start on the morning of Friday 4th September when we will be transferred from Brightlingsea by barge boat to Blue Mermaid. Following a briefing, the day will be used as a race training day with a meal onboard in the evening. Saturday 5th September is race day with the match typically concluding in the early afternoon. There is a dinner at the sailing club (at an additional cost) plus the prize giving. It is up to members whether they wish to depart from the sailing club or spend another night onboard and head home on the morning of Sunday 6th September.
There are 8 spaces available at £200 per person (includes onboard meals and hot drinks). The GMC has very kindly agreed that the Youth Fund is available to any eligible Younger Member (up to a max. of £100 per person) for use towards transport to the event or individual event costs. To book or register interest contact Georgina.
