Keep your eyes on the horizon is the advice. But for this landlubber, venturing out to the high seas for the first time in a tall ship, it just does not work.

Each pitch and roll induces a wave of nausea, relieved only by a hurried rush to the edge of the ship.

After a third purging of the system the knees buckle and the gills turn green, but there is no time to feel sorry for myself. There is work to be done, ropes to be pulled. Some saviour produces a ginger biscuit and they do the trick.

The sensation is soon gone and, on finding dry land again, I am left with an abiding feeling of exhilaration at the unique experience of being part of a select crew.

The Northern Echo joined the Prince William for a day voyage from the River Tyne, as part of a drive by the Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative to highlight the 2005 Tall Ships Race and to attract young crew members for the ship.

First things first, and it is the duty of First Officer Wayne Norris to take us through the safety drill, including how to deal with man overboard.

It can take an hour and a half for a ship to stow sails and turn back. It is vital to keep your eyes on the person - it will give them 85 per cent chance of being found again, we are told.

A sobering thought. But then we are in good hands, and, fitted with safety harnesses, we are soon scurrying "up and over", literally learning the ropes and pulling our weight to brace the yards.

Anyone boarding the Prince William quickly learns this is not a pleasure cruise. Everyone participates, be it bracing the yards, stowing and handling sails, steering the ship, or even working in the galley and cleaning the heads.

The Prince William, along with sister ship Stavros S Niarchos, is run by the Tall Ships Youth Trust, which carries 5,000 volunteers a year. Its central mission is focused on young people - though it does take out adult crews during quiet periods.

Trust chairman for Northumbria John Simmons said: "Sailing with the trust sets challenges for young people. It builds their self-confidence, self awareness and leaves them with a sense of achievement.

"A lot of them will not have been away from home before or worked in a team. It teaches communication skills and how to work with other people."

Prince William has a crew of 48, along with six permanent crew members and a voluntary contingent of 12, including youth mentors.

While the trust does help fund young people, they are encouraged to raise their own cash for the voyage.

Mr Simmons said: "We want to see commitment and enthusiasm."

Tall Ships manager Phil Payne said a fleet of more than 120 tall ships will drop anchor on the Tyne for next year's Tall Ships Race, from July 25 to 28.

He said: "All ships in the race will be looking for crews and they will come from various sources.

"We are looking at helping up to 90 young people from the North-East get on board and are putting together packages to help them.

"But it is important that youngsters themselves raise money to support the voyage."

* For more information about the Tall Ships Youth Trust, contact Dorothy Scott on 0191-277 8039 or John Simmons on 0191-284-1298 or visit or the websites www.tallships.com or www.tallships.org