The crew of a sailing ship which gained honours in this year’s International Tall Ship Races were given a hero’s welcome when the vessel arrived back in Medway at the weekend.

Despite gale force winds and heavy seas, the 62ft ketch, Morning Star of Revelation, came third in its class in the competition which took them from Liverpool to Norway and the Netherlands and back again.

More significantly, from more than 60 competitors, Morning Star was placed eighth overall, beating some of the world’s largest tall ships.

In a gruelling race, often sailing in appalling conditions, Morning Star and her plucky crew of 16 to 22 year-olds demonstrated the will and determination that has led the ship to be dubbed one of the most successful “smaller” tall ships in the world.

The ship returned to her home berth at Chatham on Saturday, after sailing upriver to Chatham Riverside where Fort Amherst fired a double cannon salute.

The Mayor of Medway Cllr David Carr greeted the crew, along with friends and family, eager to see their loved ones.

Cllr Carr said: “The crew has achieved some pretty miraculous results which is a fantastic achievement for a boat of this size. It was really important that we gave them a proper welcome home and recognised their achievement.”

Ted North, chief executive of the Morning Star Trust, said he was really proud of all the crew.

He added: “They managed to beat a lot bigger ships by having the mental determination to keep going.”

Aneka Jhass, 16 from Walderslade, took part in the second leg of the race.

She said: “The race was pretty tough because we faced some really rough weather but it was an amazing feeling to come third.”

Chris O’Brien, 19, from Whistable, was at sea for six weeks and was the only crew member to be on board the Morning Star for the duration of the journey.

He said: “We experienced some of the worst conditions I have ever faced in sailing but it was fun. One of the highlights was when we were approaching Norway and we had whales swimming by the boat.

“I’m looking forward to being on dry land and having a shower.”