Crew Wanted For 600 BC Sailing Expedition

09 Jun 08

The search is on for keen sailors to take part in an ambitious expedition which aims to recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa believed to have been completed by Phoenician mariners almost 3,000 years ago.

The Phoenician Ship Expedition will set sail this summer from the ancient Syrian port of Arwad, which is where the 70 ft replica vessel is being built.

Led by Philip Beale who successfully headed the Borobudur expedition in 2003-04 sailing a replica 8th century Indonesian trading vessel from Indonesia to West Africa, this latest venture is more ambitious and will see the ship cover 17,000 miles over 12 months before she arrives in London.

“You don’t have to be Ellen MacArthur to take part in this project, although she’d be most welcome. We’re looking for people who have a sense of adventure and curiosity to be part of a small team in what will inevitably be challenging circumstances. We want a multination crew and obviously not everyone can take so long away from work and family commitments so we’d welcome applications from people who could come for part of the voyage” said Beale.

The Phoenicia team are in need of specialist skills such as medical, culinary, IT and photographic expertise as well as experienced and novice sailors. Applications forms are available to down load from the projects website www.phoenicia.org.uk.