JST’s Tenacious arrives in Melbourne after a nine month voyage

To mark its 15th anniversary, the Jubilee Sailing Trust's (JST) tall ship, Tenacious, has sailed from Southampton to Melbourne. The voyage also celebrates the charity's expansion to Australia.

Tenacious, Jubilee Sailing Trust tall ship, arrives in Australia
TAGS:

After sailing around 18,000 miles, crew members on the tall ship, Tenacious, have finally arrived in Melbourne, Australia.

The vessel left Southampton, the home of the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), in November 2015.

On board were around 40 sailors – around half of whom have a disability.

The trust uses sailing to break down the barriers between people living with disability and able-bodied people.

The voyage also marks the charity’s expansion to Melbourne, where it has a strong network of supporters.

“We have strong ties with Australia and supporters from the region have already made a very significant fundraising contribution to the Trust. Given this resounding success, it was the obvious place to start our international expansion,” explained the trust on its website.

Tenacious arrives in Melbourne from the Jubilee Sailing Trust HQ in Southampton

Tenacious arrives in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay. Credit: Jubilee Sailing Trust

 

The crew’s nine-month journey has taken them across the Atlantic, down the Caribbean before passing through the Panama Canal into the South Pacific.

Stops en route include Tahiti and Fiji.

Tenacious was built 16 years ago by the JST.

Hundreds of volunteers worked alongside the shipwrights during the vessel’s construction.

The ship was designed to meet the needs of a disabled crew.

The 65 metre vessel has extra wide decks, is fitted with joystick controls, has a speaking compass and has platforms designed for wheelchairs up to the mast.

Tenacious was officially named on 6 April 2000, before setting sail on its maiden voyage, 1,548 days after its keel was laid,.

Tenacious will spend several months in Australia, sailing between Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and across the Bass Strait to Hobart.

Since forming 35 years ago, the JST has organised voyages to more than 50 countries.

Crew of over 85 nationalities have sailed with the trust.