21 October 2026
Holland America Line has donated £5,000 to Cinque Ports Sailing Club in Dover to help fund four new sailing dinghies, helping to create more opportunities for young people to develop their skills and confidence on the water.
The donation was presented during a special ceremony on board Nieuw Statendam while the ship was in port on Friday, 16 October. Representatives from Holland America Line, Cinque Ports Sailing Club, the Port of Dover and local school students, who regularly make use of the club, attended the event.
Karen Farndell, Associate Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Holland America Line, said: “At Holland America Line, we are proud to support the communities that welcome our ships and guests. Dover has a rich maritime heritage and we are delighted to help Cinque Ports Sailing Club invest in the next generation of sailors. We hope these new boats will create more opportunities for young people to get out on the water, build confidence, develop new skills and foster a lifelong connection with the sea.”
The donation forms part of Holland America Line’s wider commitment to creating a positive impact in key homeport communities and supporting programmes that promote education, skills development and access to maritime activities.
The funding will enable Cinque Ports Sailing Club to expand access to sailing opportunities for young people and support the club’s future training and development activities. The students, were able to tour the ship after the donation ceremony, giving them the opportunity to learn more about the maritime industry and experience one of the world’s leading premium cruise ships first-hand. Guests were also treated to lunch on board.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, said: “The Cinque Ports Sailing Club, part of the Dover Sea Sports Centre, is a fantastic facility for our port community, inspiring people of all ages to explore the joy of sailing and the open water. These new boats are a great asset for the club, and Holland America Line’s support shows how our cruise lines can help organisations thrive and boost the local economy. Thank you to the teams at Holland America Line and the sailing club for working together to bring this brilliant project to fruition.”
Bernard Sealy, Commodore of Cinque Ports Sailing added: “We are an important hub at the heart of the Dover Waterfront enabling schools, sports groups, and individuals to develop their sailing skills and have fun at sea in a safe and controlled environment.
“We are hugely appreciative of the support given to us by Holland America Line, which will enable us to provide even more sailing opportunities for local people of all ages. We are excited to see the new boats launched for the first time, carrying the iconic Holland America logo alongside the proud symbol of the Cinque Ports.”