Iconic ship in tip-top shape

Sail Training Ship Leeuwin II made history last month as the first traditional tall ship to dock at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson.

In a true show of community spirit, 26 local businesses came together to help the STS Leeuwin II get the 55m-long ship out of the water to undergo maintenance.

Owned and operated by not-for-profit Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, the ship is a youth development sail training vessel.

Each year it docks during the winter months for maintenance and repair and every two years the ship is pulled from the water completely.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure operations manager Alf Green said this year’s refit was historic.

“The ship’s arrival at the Australian Marine Complex in June was a significant milestone as it was the first time that the Sail Training Ship Leeuwin II, captained by 33-year-old Angela Lewis, was brought into the floating dock,” he said.

“Dozens of other sponsors have also contributed to the docking and maintenance that’s yet to come — donating labour, tools and equipment that are essential to our operations.

“It takes a community effort to maintain and restore this iconic Western Australian asset.”

RMD Industrial Services director and member of the Rockingham-Kwinana Chamber of Commerce Robert O’Connell was among one of the 26 local businesses that came together to support the refit.

“Through our strong relationship with Leeuwin, we’ve been able to sponsor young people from our local area to embark on a voyage of a lifetime.

“The experience they have on board has made a big difference to them as individuals and has undoubtedly positively shaped their future.”

Since its construction in 1986, almost 45,000 young people have boarded the STS Leeuwin II and experienced the “unique and empowering adventure” of an ocean-going voyage.

STS Leeuwin II was conceived by Western Australians, built with Western Australian expertise and has been maintained and improved through the commitment and support of Western Australians ever since.

Local businesses including DBC Waste Management (Rockingham), GBL Systems (Naval Base), JP Corrosion Control (Naval Base), RMD Industrial Services (Rockingham), Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce, Tutt Bryant Hire (Kwinana) and also sponsored the refit.