The idea of building a replica of "Endeavour" was first mooted by the trustees of the under-construction Australian National Maritime Museum. The vessel would serve as the centrepiece of the museum ship fleet. Funding for construction was provided by the Bond Corporation, with the completed replica to be presented as the company's gift to Australia for the nation's bicentenary. Construction was organised through a subsidiary company, Endeavour Replica Pty Ltd. A specialist shipyard was established at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour; a viewing gallery allowed visitors to observe the replica's construction, and volunteer guides ran tours through the shipyard. Recreation of the vessel was not problematic, as the original "Endeavour" had been surveyed multiple times by the Royal Navy, particularly during her conversion from a cargo collier to a ship of exploration, and these records had been retained by the British National Maritime Museum.