Our Tall Ships

Pacific Grace and Pacific Swift

The Pacific Swift and the Pacific Grace are owned and operated by SALTS, a registered charity in Victoria, BC, Canada. Stoutly built by SALTS using traditional methods, our ships are maintained to a standard exceeding the requirements of Transport Canada and are equipped with modern navigational and safety features.

Two tall ships with white sails sailing side by side on blue water beneath a clear sky
Two tall ships with white sails sailing side by side on blue water beneath a clear sky

Pacific Grace

Built at the S.A.L.T.S. Heritage Shipyard in Victoria, the Pacific Grace slipped her lines May 31, 2001 to embark on her maiden voyage. The Pacific Grace completed several successful seasons of coastal programs before embarking in September 2003 on her maiden offshore voyage to the "South Pacific". The Grace also sailed offshore from June 2007-June 2008 (see Offshore Voyages for details). Currently, she provides 5-10 day sail training programs for young people (and day sails for all ages) along the coast of British Columbia. Visit our Photo Gallery for more images.

  • Sparred Length: 138' 7"

  • Length Overall: 115'

  • Beam: 22'

  • Draught: 11' 6"

  • Displacement: 175 tons

  • Rig: Gaff Schooner

  • 38 berths

  • 5-6 professional crew members, 31 trainees (+3 volunteer crew members in the summer)

Pacific Swift

Built by S.A.L.T.S. as a working exhibit at Expo 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Pacific Swift has sailed over 100,000 deep-sea miles on training voyages for young trainees. Her offshore travels have taken her to Australia and Europe, to remote communities on Easter and Pitcairn Islands, and to many other far-flung ports of call. Currently, she provides 5-10 day sail training programs for young people (and day sails for all ages) along the coast of British Columbia.

For more photos and stories, visit our Photo Gallery or download the book Pacific Swift: Building and Sailing a Traditional Tall Ship.

  • Sparred Length: 111'

  • Length Overall.: 81'

  • Beam: 20' 6"

  • Draught: 10' 6"

  • Displacement: 98 tons

  • Rig: Topsail Schooner

  • 37 berths

  • 5-6 professional crew members, 30 trainees (+3 volunteer crew members in the summer)

Safety

We carry the most precious cargo there is, so we pay careful attention to safety on board. There are three parts to safety in sail training: the ships, the crew, & the program.

SALTS Ships

The SALTS ships are inspected and approved annually by Transport Canada to ensure they meet stringent regulatory requirements and a Certificate of Inspection is issued. Our ships have received many awards from the Victoria Classic Boat Festival over the years for their excellent maintenance and upkeep.

These traditionally designed ships include modern safety equipment such as: life jackets, two types of PFDs, harnesses, strobe lights, Search and Recovery Transponders (SART), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), satellite phone, man overboard pole, life rafts, dories, VHF/DSC radio, radar, GPS, paper and electronic charts, and AIS receivers. Each ship has a collision bulkhead, watertight compartments, steel bulkhead doors, and complies with stringent stability standards.

Smiling person in an orange survival suit giving thumbs up aboard a tall ship surrounded by rigging and passengers
Smiling person in an orange survival suit giving thumbs up aboard a tall ship surrounded by rigging and passengers

SALTS Crews

The Captains of our ships have gained “sea time” over many years and have taken formal instruction at nautical training institutes approved by Transport Canada. Captains must hold at least a 150 Ton Master’s Ticket or higher, with a Sailing Ship Endorsement, though all current SALTS Captains have exceeded that by earning 500 Ton Master's Tickets. This certification is by written and oral examinations conducted by Transport Canada. Certification complies with the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers (STCW). The ship’s Bosun must hold a Small Vessel Machinery Operator certificate, and the cook must complete a Food Safe course. All crew-members submit to a criminal record check and sign a code of conduct.

Crew-members also complete the following training:

  • Marine Emergency Duties

  • Marine Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Aid

  • Restricted (Radio) Operator’s Certificate (Maritime)

  • Prevention of harassment, abuse, and suicide

Crew members and visitors shake hands aboard a tall ship docked beside a waterfront promenade.
Crew members and visitors shake hands aboard a tall ship docked beside a waterfront promenade.

SALTS Program

Safety orientations are conducted prior to each voyage, prior to the first shore trip, prior to setting sail, prior to anchor watch, and prior to a “night run.” Safety drills (i.e. man overboard, fire response) are conducted on a regular basis. Safety harnesses are mandatory when climbing aloft or near the bowsprit. Inflatable PFDs with a built-in safety harness and strobe light are mandatory while underway at night or in heavy weather.

SALTS has provided sail training programs since 1974, and in a typical year, 1700 young people go to sea with us. Our experience includes six offshore voyages to ports around the world. Our ships have safely travelled over 365,000 nautical miles (17 times the earth’s circumference). In the spring and fall we offer quality programs to 44 school groups, mainly from British Columbia and Alberta. Our sail training safety record is second to none in the industry. SALTS is a member of Tall Ships Canada and has been the recipient of the “Sail Training Program of the Year” award from Tall Ships America, the S.S. Beaver Medal for Maritime Excellence from the Maritime Museum of BC, and thePremier's Award: Promoting Innovation and Excellence from the BC Government.