For four days, two sailing vessels will be in Orkney as part of a round the Britain coastline as they sail ‘Full Circle’ on the Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew. The traditionally rigged vessels are crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel.
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.
The Orkney News stopped by on Thursday morning to talk to Paul Miller, Chief Instructor, Turn to Starboard, and Skipper of ‘Falmouth; and David Issitt, a volunteer with Turn to Starboard, and First Mate.
“offer veterans a unique opportunity to reconnect with themselves, their peers, and society. By engaging in the physical challenge of sailing, veterans develop resilience, teamwork and leadership skills. Through RYA courses we equip them with professional qualifications, which can be used to springboard into new and rewarding careers in the maritime industry.”
It’s a positive, challenging, and rewarding experience. There’s a change of personnel at various points along the sailing route, with veterans making their own way to their demarcation port. After that, once on board, there are no additional costs.
Paul Miller, an army veteran, and David Issitt, a Royal Navy veteran, spoke to The Orkney News, about their pleasure in being able to sail into Orkney and the welcome they had received, guided in by the Stromness RNLI lifeboat. The comradeship and ability to work as a team are attributes of being a military veteran. These are strengths which come to the fore when working on a traditionally rigged sailing vessel.
The voyage is carrying the Invictus Games Flag, building momentum towards the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 ahead of an event at the NEC in July 2026.
Paul Miller, 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.”
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: T2S Full Circle Tall Ship Expedition.
Drone images courtesy of Full Circle.
Fiona Grahame
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