Craftsmanship, knowledge & community

Volunteer

Volunteer on board in Gothenburg!

After arrival in Gothenburg, we offer all deckhands on The Jubilee Run the opportunity to stay on board for an extra ten days as volunteers. This volunteer event is primarily offered to deckhands on board The Jubilee Run. Subject to availability, it is also possible to apply if you are not on this sailing leg. For more information, scroll down. 

Also stay tuned for more information about volunteering during summer and autumn 2023. If you don't get the answers to your questions here, don't hesitate to send an email to: volunteer@soic.se

Volunteer days in Gothenburg

Downrigging Days in Gothenburg

This event/volunteer week is now fully booked. You can still apply to be put on a waiting list.

We offer all deckhands on The Jubilee Run, the last sailing leg in 2023, the opportunity to stay on board for an extra ten days as volunteers, to experience the rigging down of the ship after the expedition. At the beginning of these ten days, volunteers on board will also help out with open ship and the move of the ship from the festival area to the pier in Eriksberg.

If you are interested in staying on, please apply for both the sailing leg and “Downrigging Days in Gothenburg” straight away. During the ten days, all deckhands will stay, sleep and eat on board.

This volunteer event is primarily offered to deckhands on board The Jubilee Run. Subject to availability, it is also possible to apply for the downrigging days if you are not on this sailing leg.

Dates: 4–14 June in Gothenburg
Days on board: 10

This event/volunteer week is now fully booked.

Photo: Linda Åkerberg. From sailing leg 1, 2022, Göteborg–Helsingborg. 

Would you like to volunteer?

As a volunteer, you get the chance to pick up knowledge about traditional materials and learn craftsmanship on board. What is required to keep an 18th-century ship in good shape? What materials were used at that time, and what is used today? How is a lashing made? The tasks varied and can revolve around anything from taring ropes, scraping the hull, to working in the rigging. But also help in the galley (kitchen) and so on. 

Volunteers are essential for the maintenance of the ship and keeping her in shape. Being a volunteer on board is an excellent way to get to know the ship and learn from others. The practical work gives you hands-on experience in a delightful kinship together with our permanent crew and other volunteers.

What does it mean to volunteer?

As a volunteer on board the Götheborg you work with maintenance while we are in port in Barcelona. Unlike sailing along as a deckhand, you don’t pay to volunteer. The work as a volunteer is unpaid, but you get full board and, not to forget, a great and friendly group of people to hang out with.  

Photo: Linda Åkerberg/Wilderness Stories

Working at heights

Volunteering may involve working at heights. It is an opportunity to experience what it is like climbing and helping with the rigging, which is 40 meters high.

Climbing the rig and working at heights is also a big part of the work done on board while sailing. It is common to initially feel a certain unease when working at such heights, but most people get used to it quickly.

We offer

(This applies to the event "Downrigging days", but not normal volunteer weeks later in summer or autumn.)

  • All meals are included. This also includes morning and afternoon fika.
  • A bunk or hammock to sleep in on board (note that you won't have a separate cabin, but sleep in a space together with other people).
  • Washing machines and driers.
  • Guitars and board games for the evenings, film nights can be arranged.
  • A great group of people and a nice and welcoming atmosphere. 

Photo: Linda Åkerberg/Wilderness Stories

Bring with you

  • Your own bedlinen and towel.
  • Work clothes and work shoes. (When work is really dirty, work clothes will be available on board).
  • A music instrument (if you want to).
  • Use only soft bags when coming to the ship.

Photo: Linda Åkerberg/Wilderness Stories

Expectations

  • Be prepared to do whatever maintenance that is going on at the moment.
  • Maintenance can happen inside the ship, outside of the hull and in the rig, high aloft.
  • Ship life includes galley- and cleaning work.
  • Be able to enter the rig at high heights.

How to apply

Create an account in Paam by clicking the button. 
Make sure to fill in all your personal details before you apply.

To keep updated on volunteering on board the Götheborg, also join our Facebook group. 

Latest news

Götheborg is arriving to Gothenburg

01 June 2023

Tomorrow, 2 June at 15:00, we will arrive in Gothenburg to officially open the 400-year jubilee with gun salute. Come and welcome us home!! We would of course love to have some company on the water coming into Gothenburg, and welcome boats to join us! Already today, the 1st of June, you will be able to see us in the Gothenburg archipelago. 

Meet the owner of Götheborg of Sweden

29 May 2023

Meet the owner and a big heart behind Götheborg of Sweden, the world’s largest ocean-going wooden sailing ship. It was a purchase decision that came from the heart, rather than from rational business thinking, says Stefan Björk, founder and owner of Greencarrier Group and Götheborg of Sweden.

Hamburg – an important portstop for Greencarrier

24 May 2023

Hamburg was specifically chosen as a key stopover for Götheborg as Greencarrier (our owner) opened new offices in Hamburg in April. On Monday, we were very pleased to welcome especially invited customers, partners and friends of Greencarrier Group on board.