Why is the SV Tenacious tall ship docked in Great Yarmouth?

The SV Tenacious has been the talk of the town after it sailed down the River Yare and past Great Yarmouth's nearly completed third crossing project before she dropped anchor at South Quay.

Owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), she is docked at South Quay following a round-Britain journey, docking at places that showed the vessel much support over the past few years.

Now the ship, the largest of its kind in the world, is preparing to set sail to race 185 miles against an overland team heading for London.

The SV Tenacious will be leaving Great Yarmouth South Quay on Friday, September 8. Picture - Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

JST's Sara Fleming said the 65m square-rigged ship has amassed a "huge following in Norfolk" over the years.

"We've been sailing round the UK following our huge public appeal last year," she said.

"And we wanted to make sure we visited some of the areas where we'd been supported in the past. 

"Last year's voyage from Norfolk was fantastic, so it was very important we came back again this year before embarking on our Race The Ship challenge."

Jubilee Sailing Trust's Graham Strudwick (left) and David Bainbridge will be competing in the Race The Ship challenge. Picture - Jubilee Sailing Trust (Image: Jubilee Sailing Trust)

On Friday, the ship will leave for London between 5pm and 5.30pm, competing in a fundraising race against a team of ten cyclists attempting the same 185-mile journey overland.

The cyclists will be leaving the quay at 2.45pm.

Two members of the cycling team pitted against the vessel hail from the Norwich area.

The 't-shirt twins' John and Lauren had previously sailed with the company to Lisbon in 2019.

The duo said on their fundraising page: "While it took us some time to get over the tiredness, we've been left with amazing memories. 

"It's rare to find an organisation that caters for people of all abilities like the JST."

The SV Tenacious docked at Great Yarmouth's South Quay. Picture - Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

SV Tenacious was built to be accessible and inclusive in all aspects of her design. She is currently the only sea-going tall ship in the world that can be sailed by a mixed-ability crew, including disabled people, those with mental health conditions or long-term ill-health issues, and the socially isolated.

Her accessible features make every aspect of shipboard life available to all, including wheelchair lifts, a speaking compass and a joystick for people with limited dexterity.

This race event is raising funds to help with the docking and maintenance costs of the SV Tenacious in October, with a target of £52,000. 

For more information, visit www.jst.org.uk/RaceTheShip

The SV Tenacious passing through Great Yarmouth's third river crossing on Saturday. Picture - Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)