Adventure-Ship is a registered charity that maintains the 27.5-metre sailing junk, the Huan, and provides nautical training programmes for underprivileged children and children with disablilities. Adventure-Ship is a member of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and is funded mainly by the Community Chest and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

    Each year, more than 6 000 young people from children and youth centres, institutions for the disabled, outreach teams and schools benefit from the training programmes offered. The training consists of day or overnight trips (up to three days and two nights) within the waters of Hong Kong. The ship can accommodate 60 youngsters on day trips and 50 on overnight voyages.

    Challenge through 'disciplined entertainment' is the main theme of training. Once on board, participants are regarded as members of the ship's crew and take part in the operational routines. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, they are trained to face new challenges and participate in activities that build team spirit and self-confidence.

    The training programmes have been devised to cope with various weather conditions and the special requirements of children of different aptitudes and backgrounds. In 2002, a Shore-based Reinforcement Programme was introduced to help children with special needs — such as those with disabilities, newly arrived children and those from broken families — to consolidate what they learn from the training experience so that there is a positive and lasting effect on their lifestyle. The programme is supported in part by a grant from the Government's Quality Education Fund.

    Adventure-Ship is making good progress with its programme to build a replacement sailing training vessel for the Huan, which has been in service for more than 25 years. Building of the new vessel is due to be completed in late 2003. The vessel will be named the Jockey Club Huan, in recognition of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's donation of $24 million to fund construction.

    The vessel will be a 34.5-metre three-masted sailing junk, with purpose-built facilities for training young people with disabilities. It will be able to accommodate up to 70 trainees on an overnight trip, 20 more than the original vessel, as well as up to 11 crew members and volunteer assistants from the Adventure-Ship Youth Association. In addition, the new vessel will have significantly reduced maintenance costs through the use of modern design techniques and materials with a design life of at least 50 years.