The Association Of Sail Training Organisations

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £261,908 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £362,302 (2024)
• Beneficiaries: 70,000+ berth days annually, 11,000+ young people (2024)
• Grant Range: Varies by programme (bursary amounts calculated by berth days)
• Application Method: Member organisations only (no public application process)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom

Contact Details

Website: www.uksailtraining.org

Email: info@asto.org.uk

Phone: 02392 503 222

Address: c/o Royal Yachting Association, Hamble, Southampton

Membership Enquiries: admin@asto.org.uk

Overview

The Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) was founded in 1972 as the UK's national sail training organisation. Registered as charity number 1083059, ASTO serves as the umbrella body for over 30 not-for-profit organisations operating more than 50 sail training vessels in the UK. The charity's mission is to promote sail training and support the UK sail training sector through financial support, staff training, event organisation, international exchanges, and regulatory compliance work. ASTO's Royal Patron is HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, and the organisation is a founding member of Sail Training International. ASTO's work has been transformed by a generous legacy from adventure author Ralph Hammond Innes, whose bequest in 1998 enabled significant expansion of bursary programmes. In 2024, ASTO enabled more than 11,000 young people and individuals with disabilities to participate in sail training, with 90% reporting stronger wellbeing, confidence, and communication skills, and 93% reporting an improved sense of achievement. ASTO Chair Mark Todd, MBE, was recently awarded his honour for “services to Sailing and to Young People” in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hammond Innes Bursary (Amount varies - calculated by berth days)

ASTO's primary grant programme distributed to member organisations annually. The bursary is calculated based on “berth days” - one berth day equals one whole day for one trainee onboard an ASTO member vessel during a sail training voyage. Funding supports young people aged 25 or under and people with special needs of any age to participate in sail training voyages, and helps offset costs of training volunteers and staff. In total, ASTO grants bursary funding towards the costs of more than 70,000 berth days for young people, including disabled trainees, each year. Application deadline: December 1st annually (for following year's allocation).

Trinity House Bursary (Full cost of training and examinations covered)

Managed by ASTO on behalf of Trinity House, this programme funds sailing qualifications for sail training staff and volunteers who wish to become qualified as mates and masters or increase their current qualifications. Covers RYA and MCA qualifications required for Certificates of Competency. Application deadline: October 31st annually.

Priority Areas

• Youth Development: Young people aged 12-25, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or who are “out-of-sight learners” needing pathways back into education
• Disability Inclusion: People with disabilities or additional needs of any age
• Sail Training Workforce: Professional development for sail training staff and volunteers through funded qualifications
• Sector Support: Promoting sail training's benefits including confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills

What They Fund

• Berth days for young people and disabled individuals on sail training voyages
• Maritime qualifications (RYA and MCA) for sail training professionals
• Staff and volunteer training costs
• Access to sail training regardless of financial background or ability

What They Don't Fund

• Individual sail training courses or instructional qualifications (Trinity House bursary)
• Organisations that are not ASTO members
• For-profit organisations
• Activities unrelated to sail training

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Governance and Leadership

Royal Patron: HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh

President: Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Kyd KBE

Vice President: Hon Nusrat Ghani MP (appointed 2025) - Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Chair of Ways and Means, and former Shipping and Maritime Minister who introduced the UK's Maritime2050 strategy. Ms Ghani stated she has “a huge amount of enthusiasm for the maritime and sailing sector.”

Vice Presidents for Life: Rear Admiral John Lang and John H. Hamilton, OBE

Board of Trustees:

• Chair: Mark Todd, MBE - Chief Executive of Ocean Youth Trust South since 2010, RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and Examiner, recently made a Younger Brother of Trinity House. Awarded MBE for services to Sailing and to Young People. Chair since 2021, trustee since 2019. On sail training: “I have been involved in sail training for 25 years and I can honestly say it is the best activity I have ever come across for promoting confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication and problem-solving – as well as friendship, fun and adventure.”
• Vice Chair: Brian Johnson, CBE
• Treasurer: Ray Cockrem
• Other Trustees: Lindsay Bridges, Amanda Butcher MBE, Martin Coles CBE, Tim James, Annant Shah, David Snelson CB, Claire Thatcher, Craig Burton, Neil Northmore

Staff Team:

• Chief Executive: Kerry McMillan (handles sail training, membership compliance, Trinity House bursaries)
• Project & Operations Coordinator: Michelle Moorman (manages Small Ships Races, conferences, projects)
• Administrator: Shannon Salisbury (handles DBS, online courses, member directory)

The organisation operates with 12 trustees who receive no remuneration, and has no employees with benefits over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

ASTO does not have a public application process for grants. Both the Hammond Innes Bursary and Trinity House Bursary are only available to ASTO member organisations and their staff/volunteers.

For Hammond Innes Bursary (Member organisations only):

• The bursary amount for the following year is calculated based on the berth days reported
• Submit to: admin@asto.org.uk

For Trinity House Bursary (Staff/volunteers of member organisations):

• Candidates must be working or volunteering with an ASTO member organisation
• Must be a British citizen (includes Isle of Man and Channel Islands) or citizen of the Republic of Ireland
• Minimum qualification: RYA Dayskipper practical
• Must have sail training experience and intend to continue career in UK sail training
• Download application form and guidance notes from ASTO website
• Submit application by October 31st annually
• Interviews scheduled throughout the year by joint ASTO/Trinity House Awards Panel
• Does NOT cover individual courses, updates, or instructional qualifications - only career progression to next Certificate of Competency

To become an ASTO member organisation:

• Organisation must be not-for-profit and specialise in personal development through sail training
• Vessels must be operated under Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations
• Requirements include suitable vessel, safety equipment, and personnel training
• Staff and volunteers must be vetted and DBS checked
• Clear booking policies including joining instructions and kit lists for trainees
• Membership documents and forms available at asto.org.uk/members/documents/
• Membership fee and forms due by January 31st annually
• Contact: info@asto.org.uk for membership enquiries

Getting on Their Radar

For Organisations Seeking to Become Members:

• Attend ASTO Small Ships Race: Held annually on the first weekend of October out of Cowes. Entry deadline typically early September. Approximately 20 boats and 200+ people participate. Post-race activities include award ceremonies and social gatherings providing valuable networking opportunities with ASTO members and trustees.

• Participate in ASTO UK Sail Training Conference: Annual conference featuring sessions on diversity and inclusion, wellbeing of young people, and effective use of social media. Welcomes sail training providers from around the world and offers invaluable networking opportunities with ASTO leadership and member organisations.

• Contact ASTO Staff Directly:
• Kerry McMillan (Chief Executive) handles membership compliance queries
• Michelle Moorman (Project & Operations Coordinator) handles member inquiries
• General enquiries: info@asto.org.uk

• Demonstrate Compliance: Ensure your organisation meets MCA regulations, has robust safety management systems, implements proper DBS checking, and operates as a not-for-profit focused on personal development through sail training.

For Individuals Seeking Funding:

Contact ASTO member organisations directly, as most operate their own bursary schemes. A list of member organisations is available at asto.org.uk/member-organisations/. Individual funding opportunities like the Norfolk Boat Grant, Oman Bursary, and John E Burnett Bursary are administered through various partners.

Decision Timeline

Hammond Innes Bursary: Annual allocation determined after December 1st submission deadline based on previous year's berth day returns. Bursary amount for the following year is calculated and communicated to members.

Trinity House Bursary: Interviews scheduled throughout the year following October 31st deadline. Successful applicants notified after interview panel decision.

Membership Applications: Processed on rolling basis, though membership fees and documents are due by January 31st annually.

Application Success Factors

For Hammond Innes Bursary (Member Organisations):

• Submit on time: December 1st deadline is critical. Full members are entitled to the bursary if paperwork is submitted on time.
• Accurate berth day reporting: Bursary allocation is calculated based on berth days, so accurate record-keeping and reporting of trainee berth days is essential.
• Complete documentation: Submit both required documents - Berth Day Returns form and Annual Report of Expenditure and Activity.
• Focus on priority beneficiaries: Document provision of berth days to young people (aged 25 or under) and people with special needs of any age.

For Trinity House Bursary (Individuals):

• Career progression focus: Applications must reflect “a recognised career progression to the next Certificate of Competency.” Individual courses, updates, or instructional qualifications will NOT be considered.
• Prior preparation: Discuss your application with your member organisation beforehand.
• Demonstrate commitment: Show sail training experience and clear intent to continue career in UK sail training.
• Meet baseline requirements: Hold minimum RYA Dayskipper practical qualification before applying.
• British/Irish citizenship required: Eligibility is restricted to British citizens (including Isle of Man and Channel Islands) or citizens of the Republic of Ireland.

For Becoming a Member Organisation:

• Safety first: ASTO members are expected to carry more than the minimum required staff and implement robust Safety Management Systems.
• Regulatory compliance: All vessels must be operated under MCA regulations with appropriate safety equipment and personnel training.
• Safeguarding: All staff and volunteers must be vetted and DBS checked.
• Not-for-profit status: Membership is limited to not-for-profit organisations specialising in personal development through sail training.
• Clear policies: Have clear booking policies including joining instructions and kit lists for trainees.
• Alignment with ASTO's mission: Ralph Hammond Innes said sail training helps young people take “one step nearer to adulthood” - demonstrate how your organisation embodies this developmental approach.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Membership is prerequisite: ASTO grants are only available to member organisations, not through public application. Becoming a member must be your first step.
• Automatic entitlement for full members: Full ASTO members are entitled to receive the Hammond Innes Bursary annually if paperwork is submitted on time - it's not a competitive selection process.
• Berth days are currency: The Hammond Innes Bursary allocation is calculated based on berth days provided to young people and people with disabilities - more documented berth days likely means larger allocation.
• Deadline discipline matters: December 1st for Hammond Innes returns and January 31st for membership renewals are firm deadlines that determine eligibility.
• Trinity House is career-focused: The Trinity House Bursary only supports career progression to next Certificate of Competency, not individual courses or instructional qualifications - applications must reflect clear career pathway.
• Network through events: The Small Ships Race and annual conference provide direct access to ASTO leadership, trustees, and member organisations - valuable for prospective members.
• Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable: MCA regulations, DBS checks, safety management systems, and appropriate staffing are minimum requirements for membership consideration.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Gosling Foundation Limited
• Project Possible
• The Northwick Trust
• The Whirlwind Charitable Trust
• Peter Dixon Charitable Trust
• GEOFF HERRINGTON FOUNDATION
• GET OUT
• THE ALLEN CHARITABLE TRUST
• ONCE IN A LIFETIME LIMITED

References

• ASTO Official Website - About Page: https://asto.org.uk/about/
• ASTO Funding Your Voyage: https://asto.org.uk/funding-your-voyage/
• Hammond Innes Bursary Information: https://asto.org.uk/members/hi_bursary/
• Hammond Innes Biography: https://asto.org.uk/hammond-innes/
• Trinity House Bursaries: https://asto.org.uk/training/trinity-house/
• ASTO Team: https://uksailtraining.org/asto-team/
• UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1083059: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3973850/full-print
• Trinity House - Association of Sail Training Organisations: https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/supporting-seafarers/marine-charities/charities-we-support/association-of-sail-training-organisations
• “Association of Sail Training Organisations names new president,” Marine Industry News
• “ASTO - The Association of Sail Training Organisations,” Morvargh Sailing Project: https://sailadventure.co.uk/insights/insight/ASTO---The-Association-of-Sail-Training-Organisations
• "Navigating Tomorrow's Challenges: Full house for ASTO's UK Sail Training Conference 2025": https://uksailtraining.org/2025/01/30/conference-2025/
• “Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) announces new Vice President”: https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/news/2025/june/association-sail-training-organisations-asto-announces-new-vice-president
• ASTO Small Ships Race Information: https://asto.org.uk/small-ships-race/

Quote Sources:

• Mark Todd, MBE (ASTO Chair): “I have been involved in sail training for 25 years and I can honestly say it is the best activity I have ever come across for promoting confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication and problem-solving – as well as friendship, fun and adventure.”
• Ralph Hammond Innes: “...To take one step nearer to adulthood.”
• Hon Nusrat Ghani MP (ASTO Vice President): “a huge amount of enthusiasm for the maritime and sailing sector”