A YOUNG apprentice from Runcorn helped trainees find their sea legs in this year’s Apprentice Ship Cup.

Megan Pickering volunteered as a mentor and joined 180 apprentices from all over the UK, Europe and China to set sail in one of four specially commissioned tall ships.

They crossed the Irish Sea from Liverpool to Scotland and back again.

Megan, aged 22, said: “It’s was really fun but demanding.

“Working around the clock, learning to sleep when you can and being at sea for a long period, without having any landmarks to know where you are was really strange.

“It really took me out of my comfort zone, but that was what made the experience special.”

Crews spent six days and seven nights on board the ships, learning new sailing skills and developing their teamwork, communication and individual leadership skills.

Megan became Peel Ports’ first female apprentice in 2012 when she enrolled as a mechanical engineer.

She is now in her third year and is currently working at Manchester Ship Canal.

She won the apprentice challenge award in last year’s inaugural challenge.

She added: “It taught me a lot about myself.

“I’ve learned how to sail a tall ship, work as part of a team and develop my communication skills which have all helped me in my apprenticeship since.

“I wanted to use my experience to offer the new apprentices taking part the same support and advice that was offered to me.”

Port Director David Huck, added: “Our apprentices are hugely important to us and we have an extensive apprenticeship programme in place across all our terminals.

“It is important to us that we help each and every one of them develop their career within the industry.

“We also encourage them to develop themselves as individuals, helping build their confidence and communication skills, which are just as important as the technical skills.”