You don't have to be able-bodied to sail a tall ship

The opportunity of a lifetime looms on the horizon for those craving to test their strength and prove themselves as part of a sailing boat's crew.

Regardless of any physical disability, anyone can apply to join the crew on board the Tenacious, which will berth at the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa at the end of the week.

The sailing boat is owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust. The trust in fact owns the only two tall ships in the world, the other being Lord Nelson, designed for people of all physical abilities to sail side by side.

Its mission is to promote their integration through the challenge and adventure of sailing.

There are two elements to this mission. One is to overcome the prejudices and misconceptions about disability and the second is to enable the disabled to prove to themselves and to others what they are really capable of. In fact, sailing boats also lend themselves to this purpose. Firstly, very few people spend their lives on one these days, so every one of the crew is as unfamiliar with the environment as the next person. Secondly, to get the ship to sail requires teamwork, so the crew learns how to spot people's strengths, talk to and encourage each other and interact with those they may otherwise never have met.

"This is no ordinary adventure. It is an experience that will take them out of their comfort zone, test their limits and perseverance and, hopefully, make them better and stronger individuals," said Ben Stuart, the marina's general manager.

Those interested in the experience can send an e-mail to [email protected].