Unique tallship due to arrive in Durban on ground breaking global voyage with disabled andable-bodied crew
A unique tall ship, sailed by disabled and able bodied people on a ground breaking voyage around the world, arrived in Durban Tuesday 26 February 2013. The LordNelson, a 55-metre square rigger, is arriving from Cape Town as part of theNorton Rose Sail the World Challenge, a 50,000-mile journey designed to promoteequality and inclusion in every port of call.
The voyage isorganised by UK charity, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, and is supported by international legal practice, Norton Rose, which has five of its 42 offices inAfrica, including Durban. The ship has been designed and built to allow disabledand able bodied crew to sail alongside each other as equals.
A local who met the ship as she docked is Thokozani Mthoko “Deajay” Latha, a graduate of the Durban-based Sail Africa youth development programme. Deajay will join the ship as a member of the voyage crew for the next leg of her journey to Kochi, India, along ‘Wadi” Xayimpi, who Cape Town based charity Izivunguvungu. Jubilee Sailing Trust has invited the young South African sailors to take part in the voyage in order to support the development work of the two charities, which use sailing to to develop their confidence and self-esteem.
The Lord Nelson will be berthed at O Shed, next to the N Shed passenger terminal for the duration of the stopover in Kwa-Zulu Natal, until she sets sail for Kochi on Sunday 3March.
Among those arriving in Durban on board the ship are a number of South Africans, including Mandy Latimore, 52, from Johannesburg. Mandy, a self-confessed adrenaline junkie, who is a wheelchair user following a climbing accident but that has not dulled her desire to reach new heights.
“The thing I’m looking forward to the most is being on the highest point possible on Lord Nelson,” said the independent consultant in the disability sector as she prepared to set sail from Cape Town to round the Cape of Good Hope on 16February.
The Jubilee Sailing Trust’s CEO, Alex Lochrane, said, “Following our hugely successful stopover in Cape Town and a brief call at Port Elizabeth, Captain Chris Phillips and the crew of the Lord Nelson are very much looking forward to their visit to Durban. We are also delighted to be able to welcome two South African development sailors from Sail Africa in Durban and Izivunguvungu in Cape Town on board for the next stage of the Norton Rose Sail the World Challenge.
“The Jubilee Sailing Trust’s mission is one of inclusion, community and teamwork and, withoutt his, Lord Nelson would never be able to make this amazing ocean journey,” adds Lochrane.
Over the course of the 23-month voyage, the Lord Nelson will make four Equator crossings, log 50,000 nautical miles and visit 30 countries on seven continents.The journey is unique, due to the people who make up the voyage crew: all of them have stepped out of their everyday lives to participate, all of them refusing to be limited by disability or self-imposed comfort zones to become part of a round the world crew.
Berths are still available to sail on board Lord Nelson during the Norton Rose Sail the World Challenge. No experience is required and a wide range of physical disabilities can be accommodated. Among the bespoke features of the ship are hearing loops, wheelchair lifts, integrated Braille instructions and speaking compasses. For more information visit www.jst.org.uk or email info@jst.org.uk.
Sponsor Norton Rose, which has an office in Durban, is supporting this unique global voyage under their banner of “All abilities. All aboard.”
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Key datesfor Lord Nelson’s inaugural visit to Durban
Tuesday 26February LordNelson arrives in Durban. Berthing at O-Shed,Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban,KZN. Pilot scheduled to board at 1100 local and Lord Nelson due to come alongside at approximately 1200 noon local.
Sunday 3March (1400 local time): Lord Nelson departs Durban for Kochi, India.
To book interviews, to request hi-resimages and for more media information contact:
AnnaWardley, media & public relations, Jubilee Sailing Trust
UK cell phone:+44 (0)7793 417754
anna.wardley@seagrasscommunications.com
Candice Collins, communications specialist, Norton Rose South Africa (incorporated as Deneys ReitzInc)
Tel: +27 (0)11685 8630
Email: Candice.Collins@nortonrose.com
Ship Shape and Fashionable 