PEOPLE flocked to the waterfront in Greenock to tour a unique tall ship which changes the lives of disabled sailors.
SV Tenacious arrived at Custom House Quay after completing a voyage from Liverpool.
Local people were welcomed aboard as the crew held an open day and offered tours of the vessel.
The 177ft ship was built by the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) in 2000 – one of two specially designed to allow able bodied and disabled people to sail together.
She is now the only sea-going tall ship in the world which can be sailed by a mixed ability crew, after the Trust decommissioned STS Lord Nelson in 2019.
Tenacious’ mixed ability crew can also include people with long-term health issues, individuals with mental health conditions and the socially isolated.
Chief mate Ben Random told the Tele: “It allows everyone to have their opportunity. Sailing is a brilliant thing.
“On a ship like this, everyone works together as a team, no matter what their ability is.
“Everyone is involved in everything, they’re all part of the crew. It means everyone gets the most out of it.”
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Tenacious is fitted with various accessible features, including tracks to secure wheelchairs, power assisted steering and a joystick for those with limited dexterity.
Ben added: “The ship has lots of special adaptations.
“We’ve got lifts for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility to move around the ship, a compass which talks to people and deck strips so that visually impaired people can find their way around.”
JST began fundraising for the build in 1993, with disabled people forming part of the construction team.
Since her maiden voyage in September 2000, the ship has taken in part in various trips around the world and regularly welcomes people aged 16 and over from all walks of life for voyages.
Children aged 12 and over are also able to enjoy day sailings on the vessel.
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Tenacious and her crew have now set sail for Lerwick, having spent almost a week on the Clyde.
From there, she will carry on to Arendal in Norway.
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