Endeavour Sail Training is leading an ambitious project to repatriate STS Young Endeavour from Australia and establish her in Liverpool as a charitable sail-training vessel.

Young Endeavour was built in the United Kingdom and presented to Australia in 1988 as a gift marking its Bicentenary. His Majesty King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, attended the handover, giving the vessel a particularly meaningful British and royal connection.

The vision is to bring Young Endeavour home and begin a new chapter in her story, providing life-changing voyages for disadvantaged young people, children in care, apprentices, veterans and aspiring future mariners.

The programme would aim to build confidence, resilience and leadership, while developing practical maritime skills and creating a lasting maritime legacy for Liverpool and the wider United Kingdom.

Growing support for the project

The project has already received strong support across Liverpool’s maritime community.

Peel Ports and Bibby Marine have partnered with Endeavour Sail Training, while other maritime, educational, charitable and sail-training organisations are supporting or engaging with the project.

There has also been political and governmental engagement, including support from local MPs and discussions with representatives connected to Defence and the Royal Navy.

The Australian Department of Defence has engaged positively with the proposal, supplied technical documentation and supported an independent inspection of the vessel in principle. The team is now working with experienced maritime professionals and survey specialists to assess what would be required to return Young Endeavour safely to the UK.

A race against time

The project is not seeking funding to purchase Young Endeavour. The vessel was originally a gift from the UK to Australia, and Endeavour Sail Training understands that she may now be made available for return, provided the necessary support can be secured to inspect, prepare and repatriate her.

However, time is extremely important. If sufficient support cannot be secured within the available timeframe, Young Endeavour is at risk of being broken up.

At approximately 40 years old, the team believes she still has much more to give and could provide generations of young people with transformative opportunities.

Because of the vessel’s history and His Majesty’s connection to her original handover, Endeavour Sail Training also hopes to bring the project to the attention of The King.

Nearly four decades after Young Endeavour left Britain, the ambition is to bring her home and begin a new chapter dedicated to inspiring future generations.

Endeavour Sail Training is now seeking support, guidance and introductions from across the maritime community to help make that ambition a reality.