S<$c$>ailing the high seas is not for the faint-hearted, but Bermuda has welcomed a braver crew than most. The aptly-named Tenacious docked in Hamilton to prepare for the transatlantic leg of its 29-day voyage — a journey that began in Antigua and will end in Southampton, UK.On board the three masted barque was a lively crew with a difference, consisting of both able-bodied and disabled adventurers.

Sailing is renowned as a team sport and nowhere is this more true than on this unique ship.

Tenacious and sister ship Lord Nelson <$>are the only ocean-going vessels in the world catering for disabled sailors.

Every minute detail, from signs in Braille down to a speaking compass, is engineered with the needs of those with less physically able in mind. In fact the construction of the boat proved so challenging that she earned her eponymous name.

Tenacious was the biggest wooden ship built in Britain for more than 100 years, at a cost of $28 million. Weighing more than 500 tons, she also had to conform to international regulations for large vessels.

Disabled volunteers also took part in her construction and from the start, she symbolised the spirit of challenge and determination.

Amanda Butcher, chief executive of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, explained: “During the building we had so many problems as no one had built a ship like this before with all these new concepts. It took more money than we expected and we kept coming up against different legislation.

“The people building her kept hitting new problems and barriers to overcome, but finally we got there.

“The whole ship we built ourselves on the principle of inclusiveness. We had a team of abled and disabled people building her together.”

After four aa half years, Tenacious was launched on September 1, 2000. Since then she has taken more than 5,500 people to sea — more than 2,000 of whom have been physically disabled. They have included amputees, the blind, deaf, and those with spinal injuries.

Owner the Jubilee Sailing Trust is a charity which also operates Tenacious’I> sister ship Lord Nelson.

It receives no UK government funding and relies solely on the generosity of private donors and grants from charitable trusts. Miss Butcher, 52, said she hoped the ship would emphasise that sailing is not an ‘elitist’ sport.

“It’s trying to move away from the elitist view of sailing and prove the experience is there for everybody, regardless of age, background and physical ability,” sheid. Tenacious<$> trains people in sailing and so no experience is necessary. However those who do step aboard usually feel inspired to return the following year. Such is the spirit of camaraderie that many life-long friendships are forged.

Miss Butcher said: “Our aim is to integrate able and disabled people. The ship is designed so that regardless of your physical ability you can take a full part in sailing the vessel.

“The whole point is they are independent.”

Tenacious has attracted people from around the world to take part in her sea-going adventures.

Accommodating nine permanent crew members, a team of 28 are needed to sail the ship. It is usual however to have a crew of 40, with 20 disabled people ‘buddying up’ with 20 able-bodied persons.

The crew is split into four watches of ten in what Miss Butcher calls a “working holiday”.

It is not all hard work however, gauging from the laughing and joking going on and the licensed bar below deck.

A specially designed helmsman chair means everyone has the opportunity to helm, and the visually impaired are guided by a speaking compass coupled with instructions from the pilot.

There are also no barriers to ‘going aloft’. Those wanting to climb the rigging — even those in a wheelchair — can be hoisted up with lines. “The aim is to get everyone feeling involved. For example, people with limited use of their hands can release ropes. It’s essential for them to feel part of the team. We say we have no passengers on board,” said Miss Butcher. “Everyone does really take a part.”

Self-operated lifts carry wheelchairs between decks and there are hoisting systems, wheelchair cabins, seated showers, specially adapted heads (toilets) and even ick bay.

One of Tenacious’s disabled crew members, Sean O’Connell, said this was his twelfth trip on board.

Mr. O’Connell, a 37-year-old civil servant from Windsor in the UK, has muscular atrophy. He said: “I love sailing and this has been a really good crew, great company.

“I have proved things to myself that I would never normally do, such as climbing up the rigging, and I’ve already booked up for two more trips.”

A newer convert to the project was Bermudian Keith Simmons, from Loyal Hill, Devonshire.

Mr. Simmons, a quadraplegic, is involved with the National Office of Seniors and the Physically Challenged and joined the ship at Ordnance Island in St George’s Harbour for the sail to Hamilton.

He said: “It has been a great sailing experience — it is such an accessible boat.”