Onboard the tall ship were 28 youth crew from all over Australia completing their 11-day journey along the Western Australian Coast from Fremantle port to Esperance, along with 11 permanent staff.

While docked at Esperance port on Tuesday the Young Endeavour invited aboard 28 local people with disabilities to experience a half-day sail with crew and staff, sponsored by Esperance Port Land And Sea.

Support Advisor for Activ HACC Goldfields Jeanette Falls said everyone onboard was very excited and had enjoyed the trip.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for the people in our community who have a disability.

“In normal circumstances it would just not be possible for them to take part in an activity like this,” Ms Falls said.

She also commended the Young Endeavour for recognising and catering for the group.

The crew and staff onboard the Young Endeavour entertained their guests with a Melbourne Cup race of their own and dressed up for a ‘fashions on the field’ competition. Visitors from Esperance were also shown below the decks and given an opportunity to steer the ship.

Young Endeavor crewmembers Jennifer Van Neutegem from Melbourne and Ally Johnson from New South Whales agreed the best thing about the voyage was the opportunity to meet new people and take part in challenges.

“It has been amazing, challenging, exhausting and so much fun all at the same time,” they said.

“Being a part of the Young Endeavour crew is a once in a lifetime opportunity and while aboard we were fortunate to have experienced all types of weather conditions.

“It can be a real challenge setting sails in the rain, steering the ship through the night watch and getting up at 6.30am in the mornings.

“We have especially enjoyed the team building exercises, which helped us all work together when we went through from Bremmer Bay to Esperance and the ship was solely run by Young Endeavour kids.”