LADY Dodd, widow of the celebrated Liverpool comedian Sir Ken Dodd, hosted the launch onboard Pelican of London, one of the UK’s most renowned Class A tall ships, before the vessel inaugurated the first of the three Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Sailing Experience voyages around the Irish Sea and English Channel this summer.

After conclusion of the third voyage, Lady Dodd, as MAST President and the charitable trust’s leading individual supporter, will present the Sir Ken Dodd Cup to the winning trainee crew at the MAST Gala Dinner, at the Merseyside Maritime Museum on Friday 8 September, at Liverpool’s Liner Hotel.

There is nothing in Northern England to compare with this tall ship 2023 adventure programme for 43 young people aged 14-26 years, many of whom never previously had the opportunity to participate in any such maritime experience.

There were three voyages in 2023 using two tall ships – Pelican of London (Capt Darren Beggs seen aboard with Lady Dodd, above left), and the historic gaff ketch Maybe.

• Voyage 1 with Pelican of London started on Wednesday 7 June until 13 June, from Liverpool to Dublin (return by ferry).
• Voyage 2 aboard Maybe for 14-17 year-olds only was 9-14 July, minibus to Penzance, sail to Liverpool.
• Voyage 3 with Pelican of London for 14-17 year-olds only was 6-11 August. Barrow to Holyhead, taxi and minibus transfers.

Lady Dodd, MAST President, who is a leading Merseyside arts and education benefactor, said:  “MAST is the perfect embodiment of this and the reason why I’m thrilled to be involved with the trust to support the young people of Merseyside.

“Ken was very interested in helping young people in Merseyside to get on in life and he’d be very proud of having his name associated with a charity like MAST which is doing so much for them.”

Jim Graves BEM, MAST founder and Chief Executive Officer, seen in the main picture with Lady Dodd) says: “Sailing on a tall ship is about teamwork, learning to co-operate and take orders for everyone’s benefit in a fantastic floating environment.

“It’s the ultimate experience for character development and, thanks to our sponsors like Lady Dodd, we are very pleased to also give this chance to disadvantaged young people who have never set foot on a sailing ship before.

“Lady Dodd’s support for MAST has been crucial to us in achieving these goals and to make Liverpool the tall ship centre for northern Britain.

“The Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Sailing Experience will be an incredible asset for the young people of not just Merseyside but the entire north of England.”