Young people learning how to send messages with signal flags in front of the "Nippon Maru."

"Avast My Hearties -- Unfurl the Mainsail !!" as they used to say in sailing ship days.

The age of the sailing ships is not quite over yet thanks to a sailing ship education program for young people aboard the famous Japanese sailing ship, the "Nippon Maru."

A group known as the Ocean Youth Association is dedicated to giving young people a realistic experience in sailing ship lore. The group's purpose could be described in a sense as an attempt to create a kind of "ocean boy & girl scouts" program.

There are about 100 such Ocean Youth Associations throughout Japan. These young people are taught the traditional methods of ocean craft such as signaling from ship to ship with flags, tying naval knots, rowing a cutter or ship's small boat.

Additionally, the kids in these associations are also taught how to sail a small yacht, and methods of cooperating to protect the ocean environment. All of these sailing ship projects and ocean awareness education programs are supported by the Nippon Foundation.

Basically, the young people studying with the Ocean Youth Associations all have a deep interest in the sea and ships. And it is hoped that as they get older they will develop their interest and actually get more real experience at sea in ocean going ships.

Therefore, until that time comes, the "Nippon Maru" is used to introduce them to the history of sailing ships, and teach them basic ocean-going skills. They spend the day on the venerable old ship anchored in Yokohama. There, they practice the old ocean going ways, hopefully to be motivated at a deeper level to seek greater experience or a career at sea.

Enthusiastic youngsters in Q/A session with professional sailors on board the Nippon Maru.

Recently, 47 kids ranging from elementary school fourth graders to second year high school students were divided into four groups to have the Nippon Maru experience at its pier in Yokohama. They had the chance to board the ship, to learn rope work (tying knots), and to hoist sails with actual experienced sailors. Afterwards the kids asked questions of the sailors at a Q/A session about the experiences they had that day and the contents of the training program.

It would be fair to say that the kids had a highly enjoyable time. At first they were a bit shy about this new environment, but as the day went on, all of them got into the swing of things, and they started asking many questions. In fact the day ended with there not being enough time for all the points they wanted to discuss with the experienced hands.

The adults running the program often hear the comment that "today's kids are becoming more distant from knowledge of the sea," but they say they can happily reply that there are still many young people who have an interest in the sea and ships.