Bermuda residents wanting to sail on a tall ship to Boston have been offered grants up to $750.

Berths are still available on some ships which are taking part in the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta, a 7,000 nautical mile Trans-Atlantic race to six countries to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation through its founders and founding provinces.

Nineteen of those ships will visit St George’s from May 26 and will move on to Hamilton on June 1 before leaving the island for the next leg of the voyage on June 5 to Boston.

Bursaries of up to 75 per cent of the total cost are already available for those demonstrating financial need and who are between 16 and 25 years of age through Tall Ships Bermuda 2017 and Sail Training Association of Bermuda.

But now Sail Training International (STI) has agreed a special grant scheme, called the Trainee Assistance Programme (TAP) which will be available for all vessels going from Bermuda to Boston.

A spokesperson for STI said: “There will be a fund of $15,000 which will be distributed as up to $750 dollar grants to 20 plus individuals.

“There will also be a second programme for trainees sailing on Wylde Swan from Bermuda to Halifax.

“The value of the grant for Wylde Swan trainees will be a maximum of $1,000 in Canadian dollars per trainee and the total fund available for Wylde Swan trainees will be $10,000, in Canadian currency.”

Applicants should go to Sailonboard.com to apply where they will have to complete a short application form and submit it to TAP@sailtraininginternational.org.

The spokesperson added: “There is no upper age limit for TAP applicants.”