MARITIME enthusiasts are asked to register their interest to experience life on a working tall ship when the One and All sets sail for Sydney Harbour later this year.

The Friends of the One and All need to raise more than $200,000 by selling berths on legs of the two-month voyage to fund the trip, as part of the Royal Australian Navy’s centenary celebration.

Friends co-ordinator Stan Nowakowski said the State Government, which owns the ship, would only allow the journey to go ahead if it was entirely self-funded.

“Our stumbling block at the moment is the Department of Transport, who we have to convince that this voyage isn’t going to cost them anything,” Mr Nowakowski said.

“In order to get their approval to ahead with the voyage, we need to sell berths, or sponsorship or a pledge to underwrite the trip.”

More than 20 tall ships and 40 warships from around the world will take part in the October 4 event, set to commemorate the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet into Sydney.

The One and All will set sail from Port Adelaide on September 1, and will first head to Melbourne, then Hobart, Sydney and back to Adelaide.

“This is the journey that all the tall ships will be taking and as we come into each port at different cities we will pick up more tall ships before we all sail into Sydney Harbour,” Mr Nowakowski said.

It will cost $2000 per leg for a berth on the ship and $2500 for the Hobart to Sydney leg.

Mr Nowakowski said it was a “once in a lifetime experience”.

“The Navy only turns 100 once and given that Port Adelaide has such a rich maritime history, it is important that we take part,” he said.

“Those who join us on the ship will get to see what sailing on a tall ship is all about and will do the same jobs as the crew such as setting sails and rigging.

“We’ll also get the time to pull over and anchor at secluded beaches or an island somewhere, get to fish along the way, see exquisite scenery and marine life and take part in a really fun and memorable experience.”

The ship can take 27 passengers per leg with 12 crew members, and each leg lasts about eight days.

For more information contact Stan on 0414 488 317.