New tall ship could be the fastest afloat

The new vessel is currently being built on Portland and will sail on its maiden voyage next year.

The Pelican of London is destined to be used for training young people and will take them on three-month voyages as it circumnavigates the globe.

It is being built using the hull of an Arctic trawler and workers hope it will be the fastest sail training ship afloat once the work is complete.

The conversion is being overseen by former Navy commander Graham Neilson.

He said: "We are about nine months away from completion. "Our plans are to do sailing trials outside Portland between November 26 and December 5."

Mr Neilson's first project of this kind was the conversion of another hull into the Weymouth-based tall ship Astrid in 1984.

It completed 16 three-month trans-atlantic trips, taking young people aged 17 to 25 on exploratory voyages and diving expeditions.

Mr Neilson was overseer of the rebuild and witnessed all of Astrid's trials before it set sail.

He was watch officer and, later, relief master on the Weymouth-based ship.

He said the Pelican will also operate from Weymouth Harbour The project manager for the reconstruction of Pelican of London is Tim Gedge.

Mr Neilson is looking forward to taking young people on voyages once again.

He said: "I left the Navy with the intention of giving the benefit of my life's experience to young people.

"My intention is to improve the initiative and strength of character of these young people through sailing and to give them a unique experience.

"We're expecting to travel to South America and Australia on our first voyage and will be leaving in September next year."

The ship was originally named the Pelican but then dubbed Kadette after being taken to Holland.

It is being renamed in its latest incarnation as a tall ship.

The vessel is a square-rigged ship with a hull that Mr Neilson found in Norway.

It has a rig that can generate twice the power of its engines.

For more information visit www.adventureundersail.com