Tag: SS Explorer

Full Circle expedition: Veterans sail into Leith carrying Invictus Games Flag on 2,000-mile UK adventure

Two traditionally rigged tall ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel, sailed into Leith, yesterday (Thursday 23 April) as part of the Full Circle Expedition.

The voyage, coordinated by local veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, aims to raise £300,000 so the charity can purchase a second tall ship to support more veterans facing PTSD, physical injury, isolation and a loss of confidence.

Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event that uses competitive sport to support the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS service personnel and veterans, bringing together nations from around the world to share their journeys of resilience.

Full Circle set sail from Falmouth on 17 March 2026 and will travel anticlockwise around the UK, stopping at 22 ports in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, before returning to Falmouth on 11 June 2026.

The voyage will carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK, building momentum towards the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 one-year-to-go event at the NEC in July 2026.

The crew is expected to dock in Leith for eight days. There, the Invictus Flag will be handed over to the City of Edinburgh and raised to honour the crew, local veterans and all of those competing at the Invictus Games. Formalities will also a civic drinks reception hosted by the Lord Provost at the City Chambers.

Further engagements across the visit will include a commemorative Anzac Day wreath laying at Edinburgh Castle, live music and cultural gatherings, and a series of community visits such as to SS Explorer and the Poppy Factory.

Sir Nick Hine, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Marine Sector, said: “At Babcock, supporting veterans is a responsibility we take seriously. Leaving the Armed Forces can be challenging, particularly for those who are wounded, injured or sick, which is why initiatives like Full Circle are so important in helping to restore confidence, purpose and connection. 

“We are proud to sponsor the Leith stop on this remarkable journey, backing a programme that recognises service in a meaningful, practical way and helps veterans to thrive long after their time in uniform.”

To donate to Full Circle and help Turn to Starboard purchase a second tall ship, so that the charity can support more veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence. visit: 

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/t2sfullcircle

Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard said: “This expedition brings together two organisations committed to empowering veterans through challenge, camaraderie and community, each united in the belief that adventure can be truly transformative.

“While Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 harnesses the spirit of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation, Turn to Starboard draws on the unique challenges of life at sea to rebuild confidence, restore purpose and help veterans navigate life with intention and fulfilment.

“More than a voyage, this expedition is a powerful story of courage, service and renewal, showing how adventure and the sea can heal, inspire and bring people together.

“We can’t wait to bring this inspiring message to Leith to reach more veterans and highlight their challenges and remarkable achievements.

“The journey is divided into five legs, with a crew changeover for each one: Falmouth to Chatham, Chatham to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Oban, Oban to Liverpool, and Liverpool back to Falmouth.”

Paul Miller, Army veteran and skipper of Spirit of Falmouth, said: “Being part of this expedition fills me with real pride. It has reminded me how far I’ve come in my own recovery and how much further we can all go together.

“Sailing the Invictus Games Flag around the UK is deeply meaningful. It represents courage, determination and community – values that we must hold on to after military service ends.

“Taking the Invictus Flag on this journey feels especially meaningful. It carries the hopes of so many people rebuilding their lives through courage and community. Seeing Turn to Starboard and the Invictus Games come together in this way is powerful – every mile we sail, and every donation raised, helps build resilience and support the veteran community.”

Full Circle forms part of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 Impact Programme. Through teamwork, challenge and time at sea, the expedition will help inspire the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS veterans who are suffering from trauma as a result of their service.

Captain Lee Hazard RN, Director of Special Projects, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 said: “With the Invictus Games Flag onboard, these remarkable veterans led by Turn to Starboard will utilise their military skills to sail with purpose and skill. Full Circle shows that recovery doesn’t only happen on the field of play – it happens through challenge, connection and community.

“As we build towards Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, the Full Circle Expedition is helping the nation see the strength and resilience of those who serve today and those who have served before them.”

To follow the expedition on social media, visit:

www.turntostarboard.co.uk and www.invictusgames2027.org; and follow progress through Instagram (@fullcirclet2s and @Birmingham_2027), TikTok (fullcirclet2s and weareinvictusgames), Facebook (Full Circle T2S and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027), X (@Birmingham2027) and LinkedIn (Turn to Starboard and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027).

Turn to Starboard would like to thank Babcock International Group for their support of the Leith Stop as well as the Invictus Games Foundation, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, principal partner ATCO and our founding partner AirTanker; and partners – Team Forces, Palo Alto, Forces Support and Just Giving ; and official supporters – Aku, Gill, Morrisons, Mustang Survival, NSSLGlobal and SunGod for supporting the Full Circle Expedition.

PICTURES: Gareth Davies

Full Steam Ahead! Campaign to preserve historic Fisheries Research Vessel nets vital funding

GOOD NEWS AT LAST FOR SS EXPLORER

The SS Explorer Preservation Society is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant of £157,115 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable us to protect and preserve SS Explorer – one of Scotland’s National Historic Ships.

SS Explorer, built in 1955, is Scotland’s first purpose-built Fisheries Research Vessel, the last vessel with a riveted steel hull built by Alexander Hall & Co’s shipyard in Aberdeen with one of the last triple-expansion steam engines built in Scotland, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Ships. However, the vessel’s true significance lies in its scientific legacy through research in marine biology, fish stock assessment, pollution monitoring and climate change studies.

At a time when SS Explorer – currently berthed in the Edinburgh Dock in the Port of Leith – is taking an active part in the Edinburgh Science Festival and the Society has welcomed aboard a record number of visitors, the funding award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will make it possible to continue to preserve SS Explorer, protect the vessel against further deterioration, expand our community outreach and strengthen our organisation for the major works programme required to achieve our vision.

We will also commission a feasibility study addressing the sustainability of the ship in its future role as a museum ship and visitor destination.

Completion of this stage will be followed by moving the ship to a new publicly accessible berth in the Edinburgh Dock as the area is redeveloped into a new residential and leisure community.

Richard Morrison, Chair of the SS Explorer Preservation Society said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding from the Heritage Fund and would like to thank National Lottery players who made it possible.

“Our volunteers and supporters work incredibly hard and share a vision of Explorer playing a role that goes beyond being a historic ship and heritage attraction. Fascinating and important as her history is this project is just as much about her future as an asset to Leith.

“A learning resource, an opportunity for people to get involved, to learn new skills, and to make new community connections.”

As the local constituency MSP for Leith, Ben Macpherson MSP said: “I am extremely pleased that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has chosen to allocate this grant.

“This funding brings timely support to the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s sustained efforts to ensure the future of one of Scotland’s unique historic ships and convert it into a local visitor attraction.

“Using this funding award, in the near future Leith can look forward to the implementation of the next crucial stage in the process of turning the SS Explorer into an accessible, engaging heritage landmark in its home port.

“I have been proud to support the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s ambitions for several years, and congratulate and thank all of those involved in achieving this recent success in driving the project forward.”

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “Through four decades the SS Explorer, as the first purpose built Scottish Fisheries Research Vessel, collected data that now gives us invaluable information about our seas and underlines its significance to Scotland’s maritime and scientific heritage.

 “Thanks to National Lottery players this funding will support the Preservation Society to help save the SS Explorer, tackling immediate repair needs while moving forward their plans to bring SS Explorer back into service once again, this time as a significant heritage attraction in Leith and a valuable community resource.”

About Explorer

A pioneer in climate science and biodiversity work, the steamship Explorer was in service for Marine Lab Torry, part of the Scottish Home Department, from 1956 to 1984. Its scientific mission was to investigate British fish breeding and feeding grounds to better understand fishing levels and species types in support of the Scottish fishing industry.

The ship also monitored pollution, sea temperature, and fish diseases that might adversely affect catches. The valuable scientific work conducted on board by many eminent scientists continues today to contribute to our knowledge of oceanography, marine life and the importance of maintaining healthy oceans. 

It was the first ship to carry a computer on board to help with processing the huge amounts of data the scientists were generating at sea.

To find out more about our plans or to support us through volunteering or donations please visit https://www.theexplorer.scot/ .

For further information, please contact our chair Richard Morrison via email@theexplorer.scot