A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise £10,000 for a Essex-based film promoting the traditional skills and artistry of engineless sailing.

Rose Ravetz is a professional sailor who lives in Tollesbury and loves the Essex coast for its traditional boats and maritime heritage.

She is the production manager for a new film project with director Huw Wahl.

Much of the film will be on sailors and vessels based in Essex including sailing barge Blue Mermaid and passionate Maldon sailor Stephen Hunt.

Huw, the film director, is an accomplished artist filmmaker who works with 16mm analogue film.

Having premiered his latest 16mm film The Republics at CPH:DOX film festival in 2020, he was tipped as “one of the most promising young artists in the UK”.

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His new project with Rose, Wind, Tide and Oar, will explore the absorbed attention and artistry of engineless sailing, and the lives of those who go to sea relying on the natural elements alone.

Its aim is to raise awareness of the traditional skills which have evolved and still have much to offer.

The pair have already raised Arts Council funding to pay for the time of partners, such as the Sea-Change Sailing Trust, participants and the cost of sailing.

However, they need help in buying the extra film stock which will make the project “truly special”.

Rose has started a Crowdfunder campaign to raise the £10,000 needed.

This has already raised more than £3,000 towards the goal.

As part of the campaign, Rose and Huw are offering exclusive day-sails on Blue Mermaid.

There are also many other rewards available for different amounts donated.

The film will be brought to Maldon by Blue Mermaid, which is going to be doing a sail-powered screening tour around the South East when it premieres in 2024.

The barge will open its hatches to the public, who will come aboard to watch the finished Wind, Tide and Oar film.

For more information and to donate to the Crowdfunder go to crowdfunder.co.uk/p/windtideandoar.