A “heroes welcome” awaits the crew of a Medway-based vessel which has gained honours in this year’s International Tall Ship Races.

The 62ft ketch Morning Star of Revelation is just a minnow compared with some of the giant vessels in the race.

Despite gale force winds and heavy seas, Morning Star and its crew which includes local youngsters, crossed the finishing line off Den Helder, Holland, this week to secure third place in her class.

More significantly, from over 60 competitors, Morning Star was placed eighth overall, beating some of the world’s largest and most powerful tall ships.

In a gruelling race, often with 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.

Morning Star will be turning to her home berth at Chatham on Saturday, August 30, when Medway Mayor Cllr David Carr will greet the ship and her crew.

Boat clubs along the river are expected to provide an appropriate welcome as Morning Star goes by, and she will arrive off Chatham Riverside just before 1pm before turning to make for her berth on Thunderbolt Pier in the Historic Dockyard.