The Royal Australian Navy’s Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour sailed into Fremantle, Australia today, completing a year-long circumnavigation of the world.
During the 12-month voyage, 208 young Australians joined the Navy crew for up to 60 days onboard the 44 metre brigantine to sail across three oceans and many seas, rounding both Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, participating in Centenary of Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli, and racing in the 2015 Tall Ship Races in Europe.
Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer and Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Darren Chester MP, joined family members to welcome the seafarers home.
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Gavin Dawe said that the 12-month voyage had been both challenging and rewarding for his combined Royal Australian Navy and youth crew team.
Gavin Dawe said: “I am exceptionally proud of the efforts of everyone involved – we have not only sailed this 44 metre ship around the globe, but given an invaluable experience to over 200 Australian youth.”
According to the Royal Australian Navy, the Young Endeavour visited New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Malta, France, Portugal, England, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and South Africa throughout the passage.
Some of the highlights were participating in Centenary of Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli, and racing in the 2015 Tall Ship Races in Europe.
The final leg of the voyage was from South Africa, and the western coast of the Australian continent was a welcome sight to the crew.
Young Endeavour will remain in Western Australia until the New Year and in 2016 will undertake 20 voyages along the Australian coast, allowing for more than 500 youth to participate in the program.
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