Toronto Brigantine Inc. offers Winter and Summer Programs. The Summer Program consist of a set of Training Courses where male and female youths aged 14 to 18 spend 6 to 14 days at sea on one of our brigantines TS Playfair and STV Pathfinder.

Summer Program

Each summer, between July and September, TBI’s Brigantines can be found visiting ports around the Great Lakes. While the vessels are commanded by Transport Canada-licensed Captains, the Crew members are seasoned teenagers who have two to five-years experience sailing with TBI. Trainees join the ships for 6 – 14 day training courses. Trainees are assigned to one of three rotating Watches, operating the ships on a 24/7 schedule. Trainees learn the basics of sail handling, seamanship, teamwork and leadership from the Crew members while experiencing the thrills and challenges of living and working aboard a tall ship.

Winter Program

The Officers, get a great deal of their training during the Winter Program. Most participants in the Winter Program have sailed on at least one summer course, though this is not a requirement. The Program itself consists of training, lectures and work parties. Depending on the level of training obtained by the Officer, training ranges from basic seamanship skills to First Aid, piloting and dead reckoning, and learning general maritime rules. Work parties during the Winter Program involve the necessary winter de-commissioning, winterizing, de-rigging, re-rigging, and re-commissioning of the ships as well as painting, varnishing, and sail and rigging repair.

Youth and School Groups

The brigantines are available in May, June and September for charter by youth and school groups. This sail-training  can extend from a half day course in Toronto Harbour to a full-week sail to various ports on Lake Ontario. Participants in the youth or school groups are expected to be actively involved in sailing the tall ship.

Adult and Corporate Sail Training

The brigantines are available for adult and corporate groups in May, June and September. This sail training is offered on a for full day, half day, evening or overnight. schedules.  TBI will provide Officers to deliver the training, but the charter group itself will be responsible for actually sailing the ship.

Please note, this year the Summer Program  includes additional course specifically for adults (C8). Please see our schedule for more information.