[ACNS, by Gavin Drake] The Mission to Seafarers has been chosen as the nominated charity of this year’s Posidonia Cup sailing regatta; and have been given the use of a yacht to compete in next month’s race in Faliron Bay off the coast of Athens. Now the Anglican mission agency is looking for a crew to help them compete in the competition.

It is the first time that the agency has competed in any kind of yacht race but they have already appointed a skipper and two additional crew members. Now they are looking to recruit another five or six more crew members and they are asking for donations of £500 for the privilege of taking part.

“They don’t have to be experienced,” the Mission to Seafarers’ Laura Brown said, “although it would be beneficial if they were as they would get more enjoyment out of it and we would have a better chance of winning!”

Despite the bullish comments, Laura Brown admits that the Mission to Seafarers has little chance of winning; because the competing “companies take it very, very seriously.”

Posidonia brings together the largest gathering of international shipping professionals for a conference and exhibition. This year’s event takes place from 6 to 10 June at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, Greece. The last event, in 2014, saw a record 1,843 exhibitors and 20,000 buyers from 96 countries attend what is billed as “the largest gathering in the international shipping calendar.”

In the build-up to this year’s event, participants can take place in the Posidonia Cup on 3 June; a running event on 4 June; and a golf tournament and "shipsoccer" on 5 June.

• If you would like to join the Mission to Seafarers crew in the Posidonia Cup please email [email protected].