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NEW SAIL TRAINING SHIP
A new sail training ship will be built in Australia over the next three years, to replace STS Young Endeavour. The original brigantine is now 35 years old, and has been delivering sail training voyages in Australia since 1988.
The new ship will be a barquentine rig, with square sails rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails rigged on the fore, main and mizzen masts (yes, three masts!). It will accommodate up to 42 youth crew on each voyage. It will also be able to undertake more voyages per year, meaning more young Australians will be able to access this unique development program.
Over a thirty year life the new ship will have the capacity to embark tens of thousands of youth to participate in the world-recognised Young Endeavour Youth Development Program, and a similar number of youth to participate in Community Day Sails around Australia.
The New Ship
Australian shipbuilder Birdon will construct the replacement ship in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, to a state-of-the-art barquentine design by the experienced team at Dykstra Naval Architects.
Birdon will be working with Dykstra on the core vessel design, and will also have responsibility for the design, engineering, and integration of the vessel’s systems, including mechanical, electrical, propulsion, communication and navigation systems.
Like Young Endeavour, the new ship is expected to be steel hulled, have timber deck covering, and be rigged with aluminium masts and spars. The Young Endeavour staff crew are also looking forward to additional features – including increased endurance at sea, and air conditioning throughout the ship!
An Australian Government Investment
The Young Endeavour Program is an investment in Australia’s youth, helping participants develop life skills and reach their full potential. Since 1988 the Royal Australian Navy has operated, maintained and crewed the sail training ship Young Endeavour on behalf of the Commonwealth – ensuring that voyages, while physically and mentally challenging, are conducted with the highest regard to safety.
The acquisition of a replacement for Young Endeavour is part of the Australian Government’s continuous naval shipbuilding program. Young Endeavour will remain in service until delivery of the replacement vessel.
Navy will continue to operate the new vessel under the Australian White Ensign, with a larger, dedicated staff crew – delivering the highly acclaimed Young Endeavour youth development program for the next generation of Australian youth.
A message from the Governor-General
STS Young Endeavour
STS Young Endeavour was constructed in 1986-87 in Lowestoft, England, and embarked on her maiden voyage to Australia on 3 August 1987. Crewed by 12 young Australians, 12 British youth and a merchant navy crew, the ship arrived in Perth late that year, then sailed around the southern coast of Australia to Sydney. Young Endeavour was formally gifted to the Australian people in Sydney Harbour on 25 January 1988.
Since then, Young Endeavour has delivered a world class sail training program developed by the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, embarking crews of 24 young Australians for voyages along the Australian coast. The ship has circumnavigated Australia four times, and twice sailed around the world.
Sail training voyages provide experiential learning at sea, focused on personal development. The Young Endeavour Youth Development Program builds skills and attributes to develop each participant into a better team player, a more effective communicator and a leader – skills which are readily transferable to everyday life and career settings. The program has long-lasting benefits for both individual participants and their communities.
26,000 YOUTH
600+
VOYAGES
8,000+ DAYS AT SEA
500,000+ NM SAILED
26,000 YOUTH
600+ VOYAGES
8,000+ DAYS AT SEA
500,000+ NM SAILED
ABOUT VOYAGES
STS Young Endeavour delivers challenging and inspiring youth development voyages for young Australians aged 16-23.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme has been in operation since 1988, delivering a world class youth development program.
