NSSLGlobal supports veterans’ trail-blazing voyage carrying Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 flag

Two traditionally rigged, wood hull Tall Ships Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth are travelling 2,000 nautical miles anticlockwise around the UK carrying the Invictus Games flag, building momentum for the 2027 event to be held in Birmingham

6 MAY 2026, REDHILL – NSSLGlobal, a leading independent full-service project engineering, satcom and systems integrator, is supporting a landmark veterans’ sailing expedition around the UK supporting physical and mental health, whilst raising awareness of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

Supporting up to 70 ex-forces veterans doing a series of legs circumnavigating the UK in tall ships, NSSLGlobal has equipped each vessel with broadband satellite connectivity for support, welfare and media use, including installation, crew training and 24/7 technical support. Each vessel has also been given a handheld satellite voice phone for emergency purposes.

Crew members include veterans who are wounded, injured, or experiencing mental health challenges. The voyage, organised by veterans’ charity Turn to Starboard & Full Circle, set sail on March 17 from its home port of Falmouth. Over 13 weeks, participants will take part across five stages, visiting 22 ports around the UK, before returning to Falmouth on 11 June with the Invictus flag ahead of the Invictus Games Birmingham one-year-to-go event at the NEC in July.

The Full Circle expedition is also aiming to raise £300,000 to help Turn to Starboard purchase another tall ship and support more ex-service personnel.

Sally-Anne Ray, CEO, NSSLGlobal said: “We are delighted to support Turn to Starboard & Full Circle with communications. This hugely uplifting project is using the experience of sea and sail to give our veterans potentially life-changing opportunities to rebuild confidence, strength and a sense of connection in the face of all kinds of physical and mental challenges. We have been lucky to having met some of the organisers and crew at numerous  port stays and key events, throughout the UK, our staff from different offices having been on-board, experienced -hand the great atmosphere and team work, enjoyed chats with fellow ex-service personnel, it is clear that this expedition is having a great impact, and being able to stay in touch and record the trip is also key.”

NSSLGlobal has a strong track record supporting defence and maritime welfare initiatives, including long-standing work with the Royal Navy and partnerships with organisations such as Ocean Youth Trust. The company has also supported veterans who have benefited from Turn to Starboard and gone on to remarkable achievements, including former soldier Craig Wood, who lost both legs and his left hand in Afghanistan, yet last year spent 90 days sailing solo across the Pacific Ocean, the first triple amputee to do achieve this feat.

Sally Terry, CEO of Turn to Starboard, said: “Reliable communications play an important role in keeping our crews connected, supported and safe throughout the Full Circle Expedition. NSSLGlobal’s connectivity support enables those on board to stay in touch with loved ones and share their recovery journeys as they carry the Invictus Games Flag around the UK.”

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.”

Read the full press release here