In celebration of 50 years of Tall Ships Races in Europe in 2006, Sail Training International has engaged the University of Edinburgh to undertake a major global research project into the value and effectiveness of the sail training experience for young people. Attached you will find a brief on the project and more information can be found on the STI website (www.sailtraininginternational.org).

The following matrix outlines the distribution of vessels that the University of Edinburgh team is looking for to be candidates for the research.

The Sail Training International conference generated a significant amount of interest from vessel operators that were present; however, in order to ensure that as many vessels are considered as possible, we are circulating this call for participants to all ASTA members.

Please note that U of E is looking for a total of 4 North American vessels. Let's please take advantage of the opportunity to participate in this very important research project!

One of the benefits of participating in thisproject is that sail training programs that are successful in being chosen as candidates to take part in the research will receive findings on and for the benefit of their respective / individual programs from U of E at no cost.

Please note that there is a very prompt deadline (06 Jan 2006) for vessels to respond so it is imperative that you give this unique opportunity immediate consideration and if interested in being considered a participant, promptly contact the University of Edinburgh research team (as attached) with a copy to the ASTA office.