It may seem like an able-bodied world on land, but everybody is equal at sea ? at least on a ship like the 50-metre long they are.

The and her sister ship, , are the only two tall ships in the world designed to accommodate people with disabilities.

And two Bermudians with disabilities will be sailing on her when she leaves Bermuda on May 9 on a 12-day journey bound for the Bahamas and Miami.

John Trott, 38, who will be making the trip with his wife, Kim, suffers from a degenerative nerve disorder. Geneko Darrell, 21, has multiple sclerosis, and will be sailing with his uncle, Allan Gilbert.

The four are in for an adventure of epic proportions. The and the are owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), a UK programme designed to give both able-bodied and physically disabled people the chance to sail ocean voyages.

Every detail has been perfected on board to bring everyone, disabled or not, to the same ability. There are raised wooden beams in the deck so blind people can find their way around the ships, and special grooves so that wheelchairs can be bolted in to prevent them from sliding around when the ship is heeling.

There are also lifts to every level so those ini a wheelchair do not have to climb stairs. Up to eight people in wheelchairs can be accommodated on board the .

Lifts and pulleys in the rigging allow everyone to go aloft, regardless of their disability, and everyone ? able-bodied or otherwise ? can enjoy the on-board bar.

There is even an audio compass at the helm. That means the massive ship, with 1,217 square metres of sail and berths for up to 50 crew, can be steered by someone who is blind.

Such an adventure rarely comes for free. But, for Mr. Trott, Mr. Darrell, and their sailing ?buddies? from Bermuda, all finances have been taken care of through fundraising by the Sailors Home.

Sailors Home board member Jim Hickey has co-ordinated the programme, which was funded by Allied World Assurance Company, JLT Risk Solutions, Fidelity International, and private donors.

?Everybody is treated the same,? Mr. Hickey?s wife, Kate, said. ?They may be handicapped here in an able-bodied world, but on board that ship everybody is able to sail that boat.

?When they walk off that boat you would not know it was the same person who left,? she added. ?The self-confidence comes back that was lost.?

Bermudian Phyllis Harshaw, who is both legally blind and has one arm, sailed in the Tall Ships 2000 race on board the .

?I never found it difficult,? she said. ?The only thing I didn?t want to do was go aloft. I don?t like heights.

?But I?m looking to go back again.?

And English sailor Alex Holding, who is in a wheelchair, has sailed with the JST five times. ?I don?t want to get off,? he said.

There will be an open house on board the in Dockyard on May 8 from 9 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. She sets sail for Miami on May 9.