ROVOP, a leading supplier of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to the energy industry, has pledged funding to support a sail trainee place for a young person as part of its sponsorship of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025.

As a Trainee Funder, the programme aims to provide 100 fully funded sail trainee places to youngsters from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have never had the opportunity to try sailing before. The trainees will set sail from Dunkirk to Aberdeen or from the granite city to Kristiansand over 10 days, enjoying fun at sea, developing sailing skills and making friends with like-minded individuals.

This sponsorship aligns with the ROVOP’s ethos – to nurture a skilled workforce for future industry growth. This was shown recently when the company welcomed nine trainees to its in-demand ROV Pilot Trainee programme and followed the appointment of over 50 new starts and the recruitment of its highest in-take of trainees ever, with 16 ROV Pilot Trainees beginning across its UK and US divisions.

Shellie Stewart from ROVOP, said: “The Tall Ships Races is set to be an unmissable event this year, as Aberdeen welcomes sailors and visitors alike from around the world. The wide array of activities on show will provide boundless family fun and get young people excited about the amazing world of ships.

“It is also a privilege to be able to sponsor the festival as a Trainee Funder. The Trainee Programme offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to young people, who may have otherwise never been offered the chance to learn to sail.

“We are excited to follow the chosen Trainees on their adventure across the North Sea and onto whatever awaits them on their sailing journey.”

The Tall Ships Races is returning to Aberdeen for the first time in 28 years and will be Scotland’s biggest event of the year, with over 400,000 visitors expected to visit the city from 19 to 22 July.

Aberdeen will be the only UK host port for the Tall Ships Races, which more than 50 ships from around the world have already signed up for, including 16 class A vessels.