The Tall Ships have left Bermuda and for many of us watching them leave on the North Shore channel will be a memory that few will forget, but for Matthew Outerbridge, being one of the cadets was a journey that he will always remember.

In fact, he loved it so much that he continued on with the tall ship Kruzenshtern onto Virginia, before flying home to tell The Royal Gazette readers about his experiences.

"The most significant thing I learned was that everyone relies on everyone else," said Mr. Outerbridge.

"You have to work together out there, because that is all you have. No one else is there to come to your aid or bail you out."

In addition he found a commonality with cadets from around the globe.

"I also learned that I had something in common with all of these cadets," he said.

"I now have many lasting friendships. Every person on that ship cadets and officers I now consider my close and personal friends.

"It is incredible how quickly the ship became my second home, and the crew became my second family."

Matthew Outerbridge, a twenty-year-old from Pembroke spoke about his experience:

"Leading up to my departure to meet the ship I was excited," Mr. Outerbridge said. "I was basically the most excited person you could imagine. I could not wait to leave.

"At the same time I realised just how lucky I was to be participating in an event as big as this. In fact every one at my job could tell how excited I was. I was not the least bit nervous. I was ready to start this adventure."

Mr. Outerbridge spoke of the different jobs he had on the ship:

"I helped two other trainees with scraping and varnishing work of the rudder gear house at the stern of the ship. After this I did some 'baggywrinkiling' which is making the soft cushiony protectants which keep the sails from getting holes torn in them when rubbing against wires or any other part of the ship.

"I also helped do a lot of painting on the ship. I went over the side of the ship to help paint which proved a difficult task in itself.

"Another job I helped with was doing night watches on the ship. During these watches I would also help with night patrols where I would accompany a cadet around the ship to make sure that everything was in order and that no one was anywhere they were not supposed to be.

"I even got to steer the ship by myself which was extremely exciting.

"I also learned how to navi"I also learned how to navigate and chart the ship's course which I also really enjoyed. I learnt how to steer the ship using the gyro compass, and how to plot the course correctly.

"It was also amazing to see the ships museum, to tour the engine room, even to see the beautiful chapel aboard."

Mr. Outerbridge also told us of his sleeping experience:

"It was very interesting sleeping on water. The first night I found it a little difficult and I woke up a few times during the night. Going to bed early and sleeping in so late completely threw my internal clock out of whack. However for the rest of the trip I was fine."

Of all the jobs he got to do, the cadet summarized what he felt was the most exciting part of it all.

"I would have to say that the most exciting part of this trip was climbing the mast and maybe also getting to steer the ship by myself.

As for sea creatures, he said, "We did see some dolphins as we were arriving in Bermuda only about an hour or two away from the island.

"On the last night of the journey before we arrived in Bermuda we had a wonderful dinner with the captain and a few of his officers. Delicious traditional Russian cuisine, vodka, and good conversation all around.

"One last interesting thing I remember is being allowed to go up the mast for the transit up the channel to our berth for the night at Dockyard. To see the island from the ship like that was incredible.

"I wanted to laugh, I wanted to shout, I even wanted to shed a tear thinking what an incredible journey I had had. To top it all off some of my family came to see the ship arrive and then my parents and sister came to greet me at Dockyard. That meant a great deal to me."

"When I returned to land I felt fine. I was sad though that my adventure was over. Sad that I would not be able to talk with all my friends aboard the ship. Sad that the ship would be continuing without me and I would not be able to do all of the things I had done on the journey. I did feel happy though to be able to see my family and friends again and to tell them about my incredible adventure."

Mr. Outerbridge is currently at the Bermuda College. "My career idea is to get a degree in photography and hopefully combine that with my love of ships by getting a job on a cruise ship," he said.

"I would travel on the Kruzenshtern again. This was by far the most incredible experience I have ever had. I can even go so far as to say if I were ever offered a full time position on the ship I would take it in a heartbeat."