Jubilee Sailing Trust charts its first voyage around the globe with a little help from Thomas Gunn

JUBILEE SAILING TRUST CHARTS ITS FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE GLOBE WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THOMAS GUNN

Thomas Gunn Navigation Services has donated a complete set of world routing charts to enable the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) to voyage around the globe for the first time, creating an unprecedented opportunity for physically disabled people to explore the world from the decks of a square-rigged sailing ship.

"We are delighted to support this unique endeavour," says Thomas Gunn, founder and Managing Director of Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd. "During our work with the Trust we have seen it changing lives, giving people of all physical abilities and sailing experience the chance to experience the thrill and adventure of being at sea, sailing side by side as equals."

"No other country operates a tall ship that can accommodate disabled people, including wheelchair users, to the extent of the specifically designed and purpose-built JST vessels," explains Andy Spark, Ship Operations Manager, Jubilee Sailing Trust.

"While the concept of sailing a tall ship around the world with novices on board is not new, this circumnavigation brings new meaning to the idea that 'everybody’ can experience crossing the oceans on a square-rigged sailing ship. The ethos of the JST is to integrate people of all physical abilities, so at any one time, around 50% of the voyage crew will be able-bodied and the other 50% will be disabled. To accommodate a range of disabilities, the JST ship features lifts for wheelchair users, an audio compass for the visually impaired and a hearing loop for the hearing impaired. Representatives from the proposed ports of call for the voyage are already expressing an interest in chartering the ship during her visit to their country as an unprecedented opportunity for their disabled nationals."

The planning process for the 18 month voyage is well under way with the help of Thomas Gunn. The vessel will leave the UK next winter and follow the route of the old trading square-riggers, arriving in Australia in time to represent the UK during the International Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, in October 2013. The JST ship will then take part in a Tall Ships Race from Sydney to Auckland. The progress of the voyage can be followed at www.jst.org.uk.

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For Further Information Please Contact:
Elaborate Communications
Debra Massey Tel: +44 (0) 1296 682356
www.thomasgunn.com
Notes to editors follows……./2


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Notes to editors

Jubilee Sailing Trust

• Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) was established in 1978 and operates under the patronage of HRH The Duke of York. The aim of the charity is to promote integration between able bodied and physically disabled men and women through the adventure of tall ship sailing.

• JST has been in operation for nearly 30 years and in that time has taken 36,000 people to sea including 14,000 people with physical disabilities and 5,000 wheelchair users. It owns two tall ships, LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS, which have many special facilities that enable disabled crew members to take an active part in the running of the ship. Facilities on board include wide decks for wheelchair users, a speaking compass to enable blind people to helm the ship, power assisted hydraulic steering for those with limited strength and much more.

• Everyone on board the ship has a vital role to play irrespective of ability, disability, age or gender. The success of each voyage depends on teamwork and working with individuals’ strengths, not weaknesses. For many people sailing with the JST has been a life changing experience, for others simply a fantastic adventure holiday.

• For more information, photographs, testimonials and stories please contact the JST Press Office on 023 8044 9108 or email Emma Laird: emma@jst.org.uk.


Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd

Thomas Gunn Navigation Services Ltd, is a long-established business with a large international client base; 140 staff; six offices worldwide; and recognition as the world's largest supplier of digital navigation solutions and paper charts.

It has been serving the professional mariner in the SOLAS regulated market for over thirty years. Its Quality Assurance systems have been developed to meet ISM auditing requirements, and its staff have an in depth understanding of the needs of ship managers, ship owners and onboard-personnel.