A UK charity is offering New Zealanders a unique opportunity to sail on board its tall ship, Lord Nelson, when she arrives in Auckland this month. 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 ‘King of the World’ moment.

She is taking part in the Norton Rose Fulbright 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 three Great Capes: the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa; Cape Leeuwin, WA; and the infamous Cape Horn at the tip of South America.

Lord Nelson is due to arrive in Auckland on 25 October on her first ever visit to New Zealand, sailing into the harbour at 1pm.

The public will be able to visit the ship while she is berthed with a fleet of ten international tall ships at Queens and Princes Wharves, and then on 6 and 7 November in Wellington.

But perhaps more exciting, Kiwis can sign up now to take part in voyages within New Zealand from Auckland to Wellington, Wellington to Nelson, Nelson to Auckland and the final voyage starting and ending in the City of Sails.

There are just a few spaces remaining to take part in the International Tall Ships Race from Sydney Harbour, Australia, to Auckland for those wishing to be part of the crew sailing into New Zealand waters with Lord Nelson for the first time.

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.