Thousands turned out to welcome the world’s largest wooden tall ship, built for sailors of all abilities, into Williamstown on Sunday.
Tenacious was built in 2000 by charity Jubilee Sailing Trust and about half her crew of 40 have a disability.
The ship had sailed from the UK via Sydney.
Captain Darren Naggs said the ship was built to give everyone the opportunity to sail.
“She is a classic sailing ship hull but the internal layout’s been designed so it makes it easier for, for instance, wheelchair users to get around,” he said.
“So, the decks are wider, there are lifts to all decks, there are various little aids for people with visual impairment, for instance, like a talking compass.
“There are vibrating pads in bunks for people who may be deaf.
“We’re all about complete inclusion and complete equality.
“We have a mixture of able-bodied people and people who have disabilities but we don’t pigeonhole them, we don’t have two crews – we have one crew to do exactly the same thing so in fact you don’t really notice people with disabilities.
“That’s what’s so special about this ship.”
The public can board Tenacious, behind Seaworks, at the first open day today (Wednesday) and again on September 1 and 2.
Seaworks chairman Trevor Huggard said every part of the ship, from the top of the mast to the bowsprit, was accessible by people of all abilities.
“The idea is that they’re not passengers, they’re participants,” he said.
“I’ve been very fortunate in life to do a lot of yachting and sailing and I love going out to sea and I can’t imagine having a planet that’s three quarters covered by water and you’re denied access to it.”
For details on open days, sailing days and voyages, visit jst.org.au, info@jst.org.au or call 0429 186 625.
