Tall ship shelters off Kent coast

The Stavros S Niarchos will sail as soon as weather conditions improve

Storm force winds off Kent have forced a tall ship on its way from London to northern Spain to seek refuge off Deal.

The two-masted sailing ship, the Stavros S Niarchos, owned by the Tall Ships Youth Trust, set sail on Sunday afternoon from West India Docks.

Winds of 50 knots and forecasts of poor weather to come led to a decision to anchor in the Downs, a stretch of deep water near the Goodwin Sands.

The 60 metre square-rigged ship is sailing with an adult crew.

"Because of the strong winds and the deteriorating weather forecast we decided that discretion was the better part of valour," said Third Officer Ben Wheatley.

"Instead of sticking our noses out into the Channel we have come to anchor about half a mile off Deal to shelter until this weather blows through."

The Tall Ships Youth Trust, based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, takes young people to sea for adventure and personal development but sails with adult crews in term time.

Third Officer Wheatley said the Stavros hoped to get under way as soon as possible.

"It is just a question of when the wind blows through," he said.

"If it calms down in the next few hours it will be in the next few hours.

"If it is still like this tomorrow afternoon we will still be here."