News
22 December 2014

STS Young Endeavour Sets Sail on Twelve Month World Voyage

On Monday 22 December 2014 the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) farewelled the captain and crew of the Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour as they set sail from Sydney for a twelve month circumnavigation of the world.

Sir Peter Cosgrove, who is the Patron of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, joined the Hon Darren Chester MP, representing the Prime Minister, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO, CSC, RAN, Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer, CSC and Bar, RAN, the Chair of the Young Endeavour Advisory Board Mr Marshall Baillieu, and family and friends of the Young Endeavour crew to farewell the ship from Garden Island.

“These young Australians have all been on at least one previous voyage with Young Endeavour, but the adventure that lies before them is magnificent” the Governor-General said.

“They’ll be in reasonably demanding sea conditions before we know it, and because of the diligence, the care and the support of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, they find themselves beautifully prepared to get to know each other and to renew their love affair with their ship.

“This ship will sail around the world. It will pick up new crew along the way. Many of the Royal Australian Navy personnel though will remain, and they’ll be there to mentor, train and care for the young Australians in their care.

“They’ll be in Gallipoli in April 2015, and all those people ashore for that Dawn Service, when they look up will see HMAS Anzac and they’ll also see Young Endeavour – a symbol of hope and pride for this nation.

“Today is a moment for us all to say to these young people: bon voyage, good luck, enjoy the journey, make us proud, keep safe”.

24 young men and women representing every Australian state and territory embarked Young Endeavour in Sydney today – the first of eight youth crews who will join the ship during the twelve month circumnavigation. During their 55 day voyage they will learn to sail the square-rigged tall ship under the guidance of a specially trained Royal Australian Navy crew. They will visit New Zealand and Argentina before Young Endeavour arrives at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in February 2015.

During the World Voyage Young Endeavour will sail to Europe, Africa and the Americas, visiting 16 countries and representing Australia at the 2015 International Tall Ship Races. More than 200 youth will have the opportunity to join the crew as Young Endeavour circumnavigates the globe for the first time in over 20 years.

Significantly, for a ship crewed by the Royal Australian Navy, Young Endeavour will visit Turkey to participate in the Centenary of Anzac Commemorations. 20 Royal Australian Navy crew and 48 young Australians will be on deck off the Gallipoli Peninsula on Anzac Day 2015.

Young Endeavour will return to Fremantle, Western Australia, on 23 December 2015 and deliver a program of youth development voyages in southern Australia before returning to Sydney in 2016.

Imagery of the departure is available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20143889