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2024-10-31-accounts

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE Charity Number: 1035015

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Page
Legal & Administrative Information 1
Trustees' report 2 - 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Detailed Profit and Loss Account 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the financial statements 11 - 14

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Charity number 1035015 Principle Address Tolken The Lane West Mersea Colchester Essex CO5 8NT Lead Volunteer Adrian Slim - Trustee Trustees Mark Gowers - Secretary (from 16 March 2024) Mark Rendle - Secretary (to 16 March 2024) Paula- Anne Deighton - Trustee Robert Groves - Trustee Stephen Edwards - Treasurer Independent Examiner Community360 Winsley's House High Street Colchester Essex, CO1 1UG Bankers Barclays

1

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

The trustees are pleased to present their report and accounts for the year ending 31st October 2024.

Objectives and activities

The purpose of Adventures Offshore is to provide young people an opportunity to obtain and develop transferrable life skills that will contribute to their personal development and enable them to thrive in society.

Use sailing as a medium to enhance young people’s sense of purpose and self-esteem, not just to teach them to sail.

Create opportunities for personal development in a safe but physically challenging environment and to encourage initiative and leadership skills.

Provide the basis for a communal experience on board ship in which teamwork and co-operation are at least as important as self-reliance and individual fortitude.

Develop the values of Integrity , Respect , Care and Cooperation amongst our beneficiaries and to encourage understanding and tolerance of Beliefs and ideas that may not coincide directly with their own.

Adventures Offshore meets the Charity Commission's public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

Achievements and performance

Despite both boats being out of service for unplanned maintenance for a significant proportion of the sailing season, the charity enabled young beneficiaries to spend 749 nights at sea (2021/22: 716). The beneficiaries learned the values of teamwork, tolerance and fortitude in a challenging environment. These are life skills that will help them integrate and make a greater contribution to society as a whole. 36 people successfully undertook expeditions for their DofE Awards (2021/22: 7). Other beneficiaries have joined our young sea staff training scheme, which will enable them to provide similar experiences to future beneficiaries.

Financial review

Summary

Unfortunately, an otherwise successful season was marred by two unrelated instances of water ingress in the boats (one in each boat) during normal relaunch procedures during the spring. No customers were onboard at the time. Both boats were fully repaired and back in operation by the end of June 2025. The total repair bill was c.£30k and some voyages had to be cancelled, leading to lost income, although several were able to be rebooked for later in the season. The insurer has paid out for one of the incidents. The trustees continue to actively seek recovery of the losses relating to the other incident.

The result for the latest season was a deficit of £1k (2022/23: £20k deficit). The improvement on last year was driven by an increase in grants & donations and the release in full of an unused provision for a potential over-claim of input VAT.

The trustees continued to protect the charity as a going concern by minimising discretionary expenditure, but also ensuring that the boats were well maintained for the subsequent season. This prudent approach means that the organisation is in a good financial position given the current environment.

2

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Income

Total income of £101k was £13k better than last year (2022/23: £88k), but remained worse than pre-covid (2018/19: £138k). The increase was mostly driven by £15k of insurance income relating to the water ingress incidents (2022/23: £nil).

Cruise fees of £55k were £18k lower than last year (2022/23: £73k) due to both boats being out of service for unplanned maintenance for a significant proportion of the sailing season.

However, this was balanced out by a £16k increase in grants and donations to £28k (2022/23: £12k). Bursaries and grants were received from the Association of Sail Training Organisations, the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, Sail Training International, the TK Foundation, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, and the Thomas Miller Foundation.

Expenditure

Equipment, repairs and maintenance were £29k worse than last year due to repairs required by the water ingress incidents. Food, fuel and cruise expenses were unchanged despite the reduced volume of sailing, due to high inflation on food, fuel and marina fees. Administration costs were £27k better than last year due to the release in full of an unused provision for the potential repayment to HMRC of input VAT which may have been overclaimed.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet remains strong. The organisation wholly owns the two boats and the long-term leasehold on the office space, whilst continuing to operate without any loans, mortgages, or other long-term liabilities.

Cash decreased by £12k during the year (2022/23: no change) due to the unplanned boat maintenance. The balance of £124k is considered enough for the organisation to meet its financial commitments over the next twelve months.

Reserve Policy

The trustees aim to ensure that the charity works within its means and maintains a prudent level of reserves, sufficient to allow it to withstand unforeseen operational issues or cash flow disruption.

An updated cash reserves policy was agreed by the trustees during 2018/19.

Restricted cash reserves exist to allow the organisation to offer funding assistance to beneficiaries without having to guarantee that a donation or grant has been secured in advance. As most of the organisation’s funding arrangements are single year deals, the trustees consider it prudent to hold between 60% and 80% of a typical season’s donation income in reserves. This ensures that commitments can be reduced in an orderly manner if donations materially reduce.

3

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Free cash reserves exist to allow the organisation to meet short-term and emergency funding needs. Free cash reserves are calculated as the total of cash and liquid investments, less restricted cash reserves. The charity owns two high value fixed assets (the boats) and reserves are required to pay for unforeseen repairs. Single equipment items can cost over £20k to replace. Free reserves are also required to mitigate the risk of a significant period of booking cancellations and lost income. This is most likely to be due to major unforeseen repairs which take time to carry out, but could also be due to extreme weather, government travel advice or an epidemic disease. Noting the significant risk of simultaneously having to repair the boats and cancel bookings, the trustees consider it is appropriate to hold the full cost of winding up the charity (estimated at £30,000) plus 75% to 100% of annual cruise fee income in reserve. The actual reserves of £120k at 31 October 2024 are higher than the upper limit and exceed the full cost of winding up the charity. The trustees actively monitor the reserves to ensure the organisation continues as a going concern.

The table below compares Offshore’s actual reserves at 31 October 2024 to the range set out in the reserves policy.

reserves policy.
Free cash reserves Restricted cash reserves
£ £
Upper Limit 104.628 38,258
Lower Limit 85,971 28,694
Actual Reserves 119,523 (2022/23: 136,565) 39,353 (2022/23: 29,697)

Overall, the trustees consider that the charity has sufficient available financial resources to support operations for the coming financial year. As such, the trustees believe that the charity is a going concern and have prepared the accounts on that basis.

Investment policy

Free Reserves

The free reserves are held as cash in accounts with minimal notice periods for withdrawal. Although the returns available in such accounts are poor, the trustees have assessed the risks we face and believe that it is necessary to be able to make immediate calls on the whole reserve fund.

Bursary Fund

Circa 50% of the bursary fund is invested in the COIF Charities Ethical Investment fund, managed by CCLA Investment Management. This is a diversified fund, investing circa 50% in overseas equities, 50% in U.K. equities, and the remainder distributed equally across other asset classes. The Trustees do not anticipate calls on this fund in the near term. The remaining bursary funds are held as cash in an immediate access current account.

4

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Principal Risks

The trustees have identified the major risks to which they believe the organisation is exposed; these have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have been identified are:

Accident at sea: Sea staff are fully qualified, there are regular training days and a comprehensive set of manuals and processes that are continuously reviewed and monitored to manage safety at sea. The organisation has a marine accident insurance policy with Navigators & General.

Significant vessel breakdown: There is an ongoing regime of continuous maintenance refit inspections and planned replacements and stock of common parts.

Crew shortage: The charity is dependent upon the goodwill of unpaid volunteers. There is an ongoing programme of training young people (Young Sea Staff Scheme). Older volunteers are continually recruited by word of mouth.

Interruption to voyage income: Example causes include vessel breakdown, crew shortage, statutory suspension due to pandemic, etc. Active financial management and the reserves policy mitigate this risk for a substantial period.

Reduction in grant and bursary income: The reserves policy enables temporary respite to a short-term dip. The organisation works closely with existing and potential supporters to try to align our activities with their specific and targeted aims, where they fit with our own charitable objectives.

Principle sources of funds

Principal sources of income in a normal year are voyage fees and grants and bursaries from external bodies. See the financial review above for the specific 2023/24 year.

Structure, governance and management

The governing document is the Scout Association Royal charter of 1914 as amended in 1953, 1984 and 1999.

Adventures Offshore is an unincorporated association registered as an educational charity (No. 1035015).

The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout

Association.

Trustees complete 'Essential Information for Executive Committee' training within the first 5 months of being appointed.

The organisational structure consists of a board of trustees, primarily responsible for governance, that has delegated limited powers necessary for the day-to-day activity to subject matter experts via Operations, Finance and TSE (Training, Safety & Ethics) committees.

5

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Although it has only adult members, the organisation is recognised as a “district” as part of “Essex County” within The Scout Association.

Names of trustees holding title asset belonging to the charity

Asset Custodian Trustee name Start date End date
Offshore Scout Adrian Randall & Steven Roys 31-Jul-22 N/A
Ocean Scout Adrian Randall & Steven Roys 03-Sep-22 N/A

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' annual report above.

By order of the board of trustees.

A Slim - Scout District Lead Volunteer

Date: 14th August 2025

S Edwards - Treasurer

Date: 14th August 2025

6

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

I report on the accounts of Adventures Offshore for the year ended 31 October 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 14.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: Community360

Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex Date 14/08/2025

7

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Notes
Incoming resources
Donations and legacies
2
Investment income
3
Incoming resources from charitable activities
4
Other income
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Charitable activities
Sail training scheme expenditure
5
Total resources expended
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources
Gain on investments
7
Net movement in funds
Fund balances at 1 November 2023
Fund balances at 31 October 2024
Unrestricted
funds
£
6,469
1,675
56,979
14,641
Restricted
funds
£
21,688
-
-
-
2024
Total
£
28,157
1,675
56,979
14,641
2023
Total
£
12,466
1,204
73,980
79,764 21,688 101,452 87,651
90,804 16,347 107,151 107,998
90,804 16,347 107,151 107,998
(11,040)
-
5,341
4,317
(5,699)
4,317
(20,347)
461
(11,040) 9,657 (1,383) (19,887)
217,934 29,696 247,630 267,517
206,894 39,353 246,247 247,630

The notes on pages 11-14 form an integral part of these financial statements.

8

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Income
Donations and gifts
Cruise fees
Sundry sales and courses
Annual scheme dinner receipts
Interest receivable
Other income
Expenditure
Salaries
Equipment, sails, repairs and maintenance
Food, fuel and cruise expenses
Training courses
Travel expenses
Insurance - general
Rates, light and heat
Administration
Annual scheme dinner expenditure
Donations paid
Net operational surplus/(deficit) before
depreciation
Depreciation
Gain/(loss) on investments
Deficit for the year after depreciation
£
£
£
£
28,157
12,466
54,731
72,642
425
360
1,823
978
1,675
1,204
14,641
-
101,452
87,651
24,023
25,048
45,354
16,464
18,568
18,502
-
3,273
2,326
477
7,081
6,519
431
588
(8,147)
19,061
1,216
1,068
-
105
,
90,850
91,104
(90,850)
(91,104)
10,602
(3,453)
(16,299)
(16,893)
4,317
461
(1,383)
(19,887)
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
28,157
12,466
54,731
72,642
425
360
1,823
978
1,675
1,204
14,641
-
101,452
87,651
24,023
25,048
45,354
16,464
18,568
18,502
-
3,273
2,326
477
7,081
6,519
431
588
(8,147)
19,061
1,216
1,068
-
105
,
90,850
91,104
(90,850)
(91,104)
10,602
(3,453)
(16,299)
(16,893)
4,317
461
(1,383)
(19,887)
2024
2023
87,651
(91,104)
90,850
(3,453)
(16,893)
461
(19,887)

The notes on pages 11-14 form an integral part of these financial statements.

9

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2024

2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 11 79,264 91,415
Current assets
Debtors 12 24,284 2,905
Investments 34,614 30,298
Cash at bank and in hand 124,262 135,963
183,160 169,165
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 13 (16,177) (12,951)
Net current assets 166,983 156,215
Total assets less current liabilities 246,247 247,630
Net assets 246,247 247,630
Funds
Restricted funds 14 39,353 29,696
Unrestricted funds 206,894 217,934
246,247 247,630

The accounts were approved by the trustees on 14th August 2025

Signed Date 14th August 2025
A Slim - Scout District Lead Volunteer
Signed Date 14th August 2025
S Edwards - Treasurer

The notes on pages 11 - 14 form an integral part of these financial statements.

10

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)- (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements".

1.2 Incoming resources

Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable, except insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement. Voluntary income also includes income tax recoverable.

The charity receives the benefit of work carried out by volunteers, and receives the use of facilities and equipment without charge. No value is placed on these items.

Revenue grants are credited to the income and expenditure account as received unless related to a specific purpose, when they are placed in restricted funds until used.

1.3 Resources expended

Expenditure is included in the accounts on an accruals basis. VAT is recoverable by the charity and is included with the expenditure to which it relates.

Support costs which could not be attributed directly to activities are apportioned equally between activities.

1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:

Freehold land is not depreciated Freehold buildings 2% straight line Yachts 3% straight line Office equipment/Other equipment 20% straight line

1.5 Taxation

The organisation is a registered charity and, as such is exempt from corporation tax.

1.6 Investments

Realised gains and losses are taken to the Income and Expenditure Account. Investment income has been taken in to account on the basis of the due date of payment.

Short term investments shown within current assets are invested in COIF Funds Accumulation Units and are included at market value at the year end. The difference from the value at the start of the period is reflected in unrealised profit and loss during the year.

11

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

1.7 Foreign currency translation

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are included in net outgoing resources.

1.8 Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the Trustee's discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

2
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Donations and gifts
6,469
6,469
3
Investment income
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Interest receivable
1,675
1,675
4
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Cruise fees
54,731
Sundry sales and courses
425
Annual scheme dinner receipts
1,823
56,979
5
Total resources expended
Staff
Depreciation
Other
costs
costs
£
£
£
Support costs
Sail training scheme -
expenditure
Activities undertaken directly
24,023
16,299
50,482
Grant funding of activities
-
-
-
24,023
16,299
50,482
6
Grant funding
MPaTS
Sail training scheme expenditure
Sailing instrument funding
Restricted
Funds
£
21,688
2024
Total
£
28,157
28,157
2024
Total
£
1,675
1,675
2024
Total
£
54,731
425
1,823
56,979
2024
Total
£
90,804
16,347
107,151
2024
£
4,000
7,369
4,978
16,347
2023
Total
£
12,466
21,688 12,467
Restricted
Funds
£
-
2023
Total
£
1,204
- 1,204
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
2023
Total
£
72,642
360
978
- 73,980
Grant
Funding
£
-
16,347
2023
Total
£
77,628
30,370
16,347 107,998
2023
£
20,420
9,950
-
30,370

12

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

7 Gain on investments

COIF Investment fund - bursary

2024
£
4,317
4,317
2023
£
461
461

8 Trustees

None of the trustees received any remuneration during the year, but some of the trustees were reimbursed a total of £2,373 for travelling, office and cruise expenses (2023 £897).

9 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Full time employees
Part time employees
Total
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
2024
Number
-
2
2
2024
£
24,023
2023
Number
-
2
2
2023
£
25,048

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

10 Key management personnel

During the year, no remuneration was paid to key management personnel (2023: £Nil).

The remuneration of key management personnel is decided upon and authorised by the trustees.

11 Tangible fixed assets
Land and
Yachts
Office
buildings
equipment
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 November 2023
50,000
478,624
1,078
Additions
-
-
-
Disposal
-
-
-
At 31 October 2024
50,000
478,624
1,078
Depreciation
At 1 November 2023
27,833
409,710
744
Charge for the year
1,000
14,359
111
Disposal
-
-
-
At 31 October 2024
28,833
424,069
855
Net book value
At 31 October 2024
21,167
54,555
223
At 31 October 2023
22,167
68,914
334
The building 'Tolken' was last valued by the trustees as at
Other
Total
equipment
£
£
7,117
536,819
4,148
4,148
-
-
11,265
540,967
7,117
445,404
830
16,299
-
-
7,947
461,703
3,318
79,264
-
91,415
1 January 1996 at £50,000.
Total
£
536,819
4,148
-
540,967
445,404
16,299
-
461,703
79,264
91,415

13

ADVENTURES OFFSHORE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

12 Debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Deferred income
Accruals
2024
£
20,992
3,292
2023
£
1,324
1,581
24,284 2,905
2024
£
61
12,380
3,736
2023
£
6,280
3,324
3,347
16,177 12,951

14 Restricted Funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes.

Bursary fund
Maritime pathways & training
Bursary fund total
Young vol. training
Engine replacement fund
Sailing instrument fund
Balance at 1
November
2023
£
26,722
-
Income
ExpenditureGains/losses Balance at
on
31 October
investments
2024
£
£
£
£
4,277
(6,644)
-
24,355
9,718
(4,000)
-
5,719
13,996
(10,644)
4,317
34,390
-
(725)
-
749
-
-
-
1,500
7,692
(4,978)
-
2,714
21,688
(16,347)
4,317
39,353
Movements in funds
Income
ExpenditureGains/losses Balance at
on
31 October
investments
2024
£
£
£
£
4,277
(6,644)
-
24,355
9,718
(4,000)
-
5,719
13,996
(10,644)
4,317
34,390
-
(725)
-
749
-
-
-
1,500
7,692
(4,978)
-
2,714
21,688
(16,347)
4,317
39,353
Movements in funds
Income
ExpenditureGains/losses Balance at
on
31 October
investments
2024
£
£
£
£
4,277
(6,644)
-
24,355
9,718
(4,000)
-
5,719
13,996
(10,644)
4,317
34,390
-
(725)
-
749
-
-
-
1,500
7,692
(4,978)
-
2,714
21,688
(16,347)
4,317
39,353
Movements in funds
Income
ExpenditureGains/losses Balance at
on
31 October
investments
2024
£
£
£
£
4,277
(6,644)
-
24,355
9,718
(4,000)
-
5,719
13,996
(10,644)
4,317
34,390
-
(725)
-
749
-
-
-
1,500
7,692
(4,978)
-
2,714
21,688
(16,347)
4,317
39,353
Movements in funds
26,722
1,474
1,500
-
13,996
-
-
7,692
(10,644)
(725)
-
(4,978)
4,317
-
-
-
34,390
749
1,500
2,714
29,695 21,688 (16,347) 4,317 39,353

15 Related parties

During the year, there were no related parties.

16 Going concern

The charity is operating on a going concern basis.

14