2017 Business Excellence Awards

Acquisition International - Business Excellence Awards 2017 85 Best Sailing Education Initiative - Faroe Islands Training vessel “Dragin” It took 10 years for several industrious and enthusiastic men from Klaksvík – Faroe Islands- to transform an old wreck into a magnificent sailing ship. Since then this innovative vessel has become a tool for educators to showcase the beauty of the Faroe Islands. The 1 July 2003 was a memorable day for the men of Klaksvík, who had preserved with the project, Dragin, until it was finally granted its sailing permission 10 years after the project began. Teacher, carpenter, slipway manager, blacksmith, director, chef, tax inspector, engineer and dentist alike, had set themselves a goal and never gave up until the job was completed. The result was a dream ship. The cost was countless hours of hard work, sweat, laughter, companionship and in between outbursts og anger. They worked every week, through dark winter nights and long summer evenings. Finally, the hard work has paid off and the result was a magnificent ship – trainging vessel “Dragin” KG 212. The ship lies at the quay in Klaksvik and sails as training ship and also with tourists during the summer period. In Faroe Islands the pupils in the secondary school, who are aged between, 14 – 16 years old, can choose Faroe Islands: Navigare Necesse Est – it is necessary to navigate: The training vessel “Dragin” is an oak sailing ship first built in 1945. It took ten years to restore and now serves as an educational tool and tourist attraction. We profile this innovative project to learn more. Company: Training vessel “Dragin” Contact: Hans Eli Hansen Contact Email: [email protected] Address: Tradagøta 27, Klaksvík, FO 700, Faroe Islands Phone: 00298 756661 BE170082 seamanship as a subject. This subject is taught board Dragin and they have lessons on board during the year, as well as sailing between 1 May to 1. October. Pupils from the School of Navigation in Klaksvík also use the training vessel as part of their work. Dragin sails out of Klaksvík and more often than not, it is the weather which dictates the course that will be taken. If the wind is in a southerly direction, then the ship will sail northwards up the Kalsoy fjord along the Kunoy coast to Kunoyarnakk and to the bird cliffs in Kallur on Kallsoy. The ship will often lay still here so the tourists can enjoy the rich birdlife. It is a thrilling sight for foreigners and Faroese alike. The ship also sails to Enniberg on Vidoy which is said to be the highest promontory in the world. This trip takes approximately 4 hours. One other trip is to sail from Klaksvík southwards along the Bordðoy coast to Bordoyarnes, the eastwards to Skordina and Lisshøvda. These are all exceptionally beautiful trips and a constant reminder of how fantastic the Faroese nature is. Dragin also makes fishing trips, and this versatile vessel will providememories and experiences for many over the years to come.