Wanted livewires to market and skipper Shetland's Swan
The famous Shetland sail training vessel Swan is looking for experience in computers, marketing or finance to help with the trust's administration. It also needs a permanent livewire skipper to explore new avenues of business. The 108 year old restored fishing boat has seen a gradual drop in bookings in the last five years and is currently relying on its core work with schools, youth groups or private charters. The Swan no longer has a skipper following the departure of Jane Brander this year after two potentially major charters were cancelled, and is now using relief or temporary staff for the few bookings it has this summer.
Swan Trust chairman Michael Gray said the board is in a Catch 22 situation. The lack of bookings made it hard to afford a permanent skipper, but the lack of a skipper made it difficult to explore new avenues of business.
At the trust's annual general meeting the ten trustees are to discuss ways forward and how they can attract younger members. They are looking for trustees with experience in computers, marketing or finance, to help with the trust's administration.
"Three of us are elderly men. We were not brought up in the computer age and we don't have these skills that are 
required, quite frankly. If we could get young blood in, they could possibly take us forward," Gray said.
"The Swan probably needs to be marketed better than it has been, although this is very difficult. We have been let down badly in the last three or four years by charters that have fallen through.
The Swan used to be a highly sought after vessel with trips around Shetland a regular occurrence. Gray says he thinks most people who wanted to go on these trips have been already and this is why there have been no takers in recent years. Despite the problems they face Mr Gray says the trust is financially healthy as is the practical operation of the boat. (Right: Michael Gray Courtesy: www.shetland.gov.uk)
Source:http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/news
Web: www.swantrust.org.uk