A UK charity is offering Singaporeans a unique opportunity to sail on board their tall ship, Lord Nelson, when she arrives in the Republic next week. The ship, operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, is one of only two in the world that is especially built to be accessible for disabled and able bodied sailors alike, and the first ever to sail around the world.

The 55-metre square rigger boasts a number of features which allow the crew to sail on equal terms including an audio compass, hearing loops, wheelchair lifts between decks and a bowsprit which is wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, allowing the user to get right to the front of the ship for their own ‘Leonardo di Caprio’ moment.

She is taking part in the Norton Rose Sail the World Challenge, a 50,000-mile voyage designed to promote inclusion and equality in every port of call. During the 23-month odyssey Lord Nelson will cross the Equator four times, visit 30 countries on seven continents and become the first accessible tall ship to round the infamous Cape Horn at the tip of South America.

Lord Nelson is due to arrive in Singapore on 22 May and will be berthed at Vivo City until her departure for Fremantle, Western Australia, on 10 June.

During her stay in Singapore members of the public will be able to visit the vessel while she is alongside on the weekend of 25 and 26 May.

But perhaps even more exciting, Singaporeans and Singapore residents can sign up now to take part in the one-week coastal voyage from 28 May. Setting sail from Vivo City, Lord Nelson will head out into the Singapore Straits for the adventure, returning on 3 June.

No sailing experience is necessary as the permanent crew will give all the training and guidance needed to get the most out of the voyage, whether that is showing a crew member how to climb the rigging, steer the ship or haul on a rope to help set the sails.

Berths are available for both able bodied and physically disabled people. A ‘buddy’ system on board pairs able bodied and disabled crew to offer mutual help and support during the passage. The lower age limit is 16 and there is no upper age limit.

Those feeling more adventurous can leave behind the distinctive Singapore skyline for a longer adventure on the high seas, sailing to Fremantle, Western Australia, via the Christmas and Cocos Islands, and be part of Lord Nelson’s very first visit Down Under.

For more information on all the opportunities to sail on board Lord Nelson, email: info@jst.org.uk, visit www.jst.org.uk, or call +44 (0) 23 8042 6849.

As well as Lord Nelson, Jubilee Sailing Trust operates a second adapted tall ship, Tenacious, and more than 37,000 people have sailed with the organisation since it was founded in 1978, 14,000 of whom are physically disabled, including 5,000 wheelchair users.

Lord Nelson embarked on her 23-month voyage from Southampton in the UK on Sunday 21 October, riding the wave of success enjoyed by the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 9 December, before setting sail again for a second transatlantic crossing, this time to Cape Town, and a first-ever visit to South Africa.

Norton Rose is supporting this unique global voyage under their banner of “All abilities. All aboard.” The international legal practice supports the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s values of diversity, inclusion and integration.

STS Lord Nelson Facts and Figures

Length: 55 metres
Beam: 9 metres
Deck to fore masthead: 31 metres
Sail area: 1,024m2
Number of sails: 18
Fresh water capacity: 22 tonnes
Launched: 15 October 1985
Max speed under sail: 10 knots
Crew: 50 comprising: 8 permanent crew
2 bosun’s mates
1 cook’s assistant
1 cadet
38 voyage (paying) crew; 20 may be physically disabled and 8 may be wheelchair users