A taste of the navy: FNQ young people embark on an epic sailing journey

FNQ youngsters have the chance to sharpen their sailing knowledge and life skills on a voyage from Cairns to Thursday Island as part of an epic circumnavigation, with applications open now.

The Sailing Training Ship Endeavour has moored at HMAS Cairns for the navy base's open day to the public, on its final circumnavigation of Australia. STS Endeavour executive officer James Tomlinson will soon hand the position over to Sub Lieutenant Sarah Northey. Picture: Brendan Radke

Young people wanting a taste of navy life can set sail on an epic 11-day adventure as part of a seven-month circumnavigation of Australia travelling as far south as Albany and as far north as Thursday Island.

After a challenging voyage from Gladstone, the STS Young Endeavour training ship docked in Cairns on Friday, hauling a crew of 23 Australians aged 16 to 23 years old.

The brigantine sailboat was gifted to the young people of Australia in 1988 as a bicentenary gift from the British.

The Sailing Training Ship Endeavour has moored at HMAS Cairns for the navy base's open day to the public, on its final circumnavigation of Australia. Picture: Brendan Radke

The ship is now used to train young participants in the basics of sailing through the Royal Australian Navy’s Young Endeavour Youth Development Program, taking complete novices and transforming them into bonafide seafarers in just 11 days.

STS Young Endeavour voyage captain, Lieutenant James Tomlinson, said the sailing adventure was less about navy recruitment and more about youth development.

“(The youth crew) end up learning more about themselves than they do about sailing,” Mr Tomlinson said.

“One of the really important activities they do towards the end of the voyage is something called ‘command aid’.

“We set them up, give them all the skills, and then we give them total command of the ship.

“So they get this awesome opportunity to take this ship out that they’ve learnt on and take it for a spin.

“There’s something magical about life at sea. I think it’s impossible not to develop if you’re working in close confines, you’re developing your teamwork and you’re battling the elements.”

The Sailing Training Ship Endeavour has moored at HMAS Cairns for the navy base's open day to the public, on its final circumnavigation of Australia. STS Endeavour executive officer James Tomlinson will soon hand the position over to Sub Lieutenant Sarah Northey. Picture: Brendan Radke

This was the third voyage in a series of journeys for the STS Young Endeavour, which has already travelled from Sydney to Brisbane and Brisbane to Gladstone this year.

The STS Young Endeavour will next set sail on Tuesday, May 13, taking a new crew of 24 young people from Cairns to Thursday Island.

“We still have spots available and the only thing we are looking for is that you’re an Australian between 16 and 23 years old,” Lieutenant Tomlinson said.

“We want it to be available for as many people as humanly possible.”

Charters Towers resident Lincoln Gene Gough, 17, embarked on the voyage from Gladstone to Cairns after hearing about the program through social media.

“I wanted an adventure,” Mr Gough said.

Charters Towers teenager Lincoln Gough sailed on the STS Endeavour from Gladstone to Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’m also planning on joining the Australian Defence Force and I wanted to improve my leadership skills.

“Climbing the masts was the best, and the biggest challenge was probably getting rocked around while I was trying to sleep.

“I learned more about being a follower than a leader as well, and how important it is to be a good follower.

“I also learned I can achieve more than I thought I would be able to.”

Cairns residents can check out the STS Young Endeavour at the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Cairns Open Day on Saturday, May 10.

Originally published as A taste of the navy: FNQ young people embark on an epic sailing journey