STS Young Endeavour - visit Australia's national sail training ship

by Kestin Farr on 20 Jul 2011 Visit Australia's national sail training ship Young Endeavour in her home port.

There are opportunities to explore the ship, meet youth crew who have experienced a voyage, learn about the unique youth development program offered on board, and find out how to join Young Endeavour for the voyage of a lifetime.

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is a not for profit organisation which provides young Australians with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience at sea.

The Scheme began when the magnificent sail training ship STS Young Endeavour was given to the people of Australia by the United Kingdom as a Bicentennial gift . Construction began on the ship in May 1986 in Lowestoft, England and on 3 August 1987 she began the long voyage to Australia with a crew which included 24 young people from Britain and Australia. The official handover ceremony took place on 25 January 1988 in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales in Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour.

In his acceptance speech, the ship was pledged by the then Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, to serve Australian youth. For a land girt by sea, the ship was a reminder of the maritime heritage shared by the two countries. Her arrival heralded the start of a new era of sail training in Australia.

The Government decided that the Royal Australian Navy would operate and maintain the ship, and that the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme would be set up to manage the associated sail training program. Since then, the Scheme, in partnership with the Australian Government and the Royal Australian Navy, has provided challenging training voyages for over 11,000 young Australians aboard Young Endeavour.

Young Endeavour undertakes around 20 voyages each year, mostly along the east and south coasts of Australia. Each voyage we embark 24 young Australians - the youth crew - and nine specially trained Royal Australian Navy crew, usually for an eleven day adventure at sea.

A voyage in Young Endeavour sees youth crew take part in all aspects of sailing a square-rigged vessel. During each voyage youth crew spend approximately five nights under sail at sea and five nights at anchor, cover an average of 400nm and actively participate in approximately 80 hours of ships watches.

They participate in routine rounds, helm and navigation, as well as sail handling, working aloft and assisting the chef. Each voyage brings together youth from diverse backgrounds, develops teamwork and leadership skills, increases self awareness and creates a strong sense of community responsibility.

Voyages onboard Young Endeavour are open to all Australians aged 16-23.

Applications for voyages in 2012 will open soon.

Visit www.youngendeavour.gov.au for more information, including dates of upcoming Open Days around the country.