AUSTRALIAN shipbuilder Birdon is to design and build the replacement for the brigantine sail training ship Young Endeavour.
The Royal Australian Navy has operated the ship for more than 30 years. The ship provides youth-development and sail training to Australian young people under the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme.
Birdon is working with Netherlands-based marine architecture firm Dykstra on the core vessel design.
The Port Macquarie-based shipbuilder will also be responsible for the design, engineering, and integration of all the vessel’s systems, including mechanical, electrical, propulsion, communication & navigation systems.
Birdon CEO Jamie Bruce said it was an honour to have been selected to design and build the Young Endeavour replacement tall ship.
“It is a unique vessel, providing leadership opportunities to young Australians that we are proud to be able to ensure continues,” Mr Bruce said.
“It is also an important step in Birdon’s vision, as an industry partner, to deliver increasing sovereign capability in support of the Australian Naval Shipbuilding Plan.”
The British government gave STS Young Endeavour to the people of Australia in 1988 to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary.
According to the RAN, more than 14,000 young Australians have participated in the Young Endeavour program, which Navy staff and crew delivers.
In April 2019, then-defence minister Christopher Pyne announced the replacement program for Young Endeavour.
Mr Pyne said the Young Endeavour program was recognised internationally as a leading youth development program, with more than 500 young Australians taking part every year.
“After 31 years of dedicated service the Young Endeavour is now approaching the end of her operational life and this project will deliver a new vessel by late 2023,” he said.
