Young sailors from Bermuda and abroad swapped ships in the East End yesterday.

David Goodwin, the chairman of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, said that 46 high school pupils from Germany and youngsters from the Spirit of Bermuda had taken four-hour sailing trips aboard each other’s vessels.

He said that the Pelican of London, carrying the German teenagers, was one of two tall ships berthed in Bermuda.

Mr Goodwin said that the BSF encouraged sailor swaps whenever ships with young crews on board docked at the island.

He added: “I get excited about making arrangements for their visit to Bermuda to be very impressive and awesome.”

Mr Goodwin said that the Pelican planned to make a regular stop in Bermuda as part of its annual round trip between Europe and the Caribbean.

He added the voyage lasted from October to April.

Mr Goodwin said that several activities had been planned for the international pupils, including the ship exchange.

He added that the visitors also tried to contribute while in port.

Mr Goodwin said: “Every year they want to do something for the community of Bermuda.”

He added that the overseas children took part in a beach cleanup at Tobacco Bay in St George’s yesterday and that a trip to Dockyard was planned for today.