MDL Marinas is offering six young people the chance to sail aboard Ocean Youth Trust South's new sail training vessel, Prolific.

The Hamble-based marina operator is offering six young sailors from its annual Sail Training Awards, now in its 29th year, the chance to set sail with the Hampshire-based charity, which helps young people develop the essential skills to succeed in life.

Prolific was bought by the charity in 2015 and has spent 18 months undergoing a refit and modifications, ensuring it will sail safely and effectively for young people aged between 12 and 25.

The vessel was built in 2005 as a tribute to an 1891 Norwegian sailing trawler.

Built from modern materials but with a traditional appearance, the 30m ketch has 12 crew in addition to OYT South’s team of staff and volunteers.

Mark Todd, chief executive of OYT South, said: “MDL has been running these awards for nearly 30 years and has sent some truly inspirational young people to sail with us.

"We are very proud that Prolific’s first youth voyage with Ocean Youth Trust South will include the 2017 winners of MDL’s Sail Training Awards.

"This is just one element of MDL’s huge contribution to the Prolific project as they have also helped us to raise the money to purchase the vessel and provided a refit base at Saxon Wharf where Prolific was out of the water for a year. Nothing was ever too much trouble for the friendly and highly-skilled MDL team".

MDL has also given Prolific a long-term home at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton.