Royal Gazette – September 19th 2006

Spirit of Bermuda set to be given big welcome
By Jannell K. Dill

A full programme of events is being planned for the arrival of the Island’s first sail training ship at the end of this month.

A “gala afternoon” of activities have been planned to formerly welcome the $5.7 million Spirit of Bermuda to Bermuda on September 30. The activities will get underway at 2 p.m. when the Spirit will arrive at her official port of entry at Albouy’s Point. The highlight of the afternoon will be a performance by two of Bermuda’s premiere entertainers, Heather Nova and Shine Hayward.

The ship is about to set sail from Penobscot Bay, Maine, with 32 crew, ranging in age from 61-year-old captain Chris Blake to 15-year-old fore watch crewman, Marcus Fox. Twenty-seven of the crew are Bermudian.

The 118-foot long sailing vessel is the brainchild of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation. Executive director of BFS, Malcolm Kirkland, explained during a press briefing yesterday that the ship would be used as a training vehicle to prepare young Bermudians to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Mr. Kirkland said: “The BSF will offer world class extracurricular and school programmes using ocean sail training to develop character, promote team building and excite formal learning, both academic and technical. “The programmes will be large-scale and broad-based, targeting Bermuda’s 4,800 young people aged between 14 and 20.”

Former Mayor of Hamilton Jay Bluck was closely involved in the project prior to his death and project coordinator at the Corporation of Hamilton Caroline Wills said the Corporation was keen and honoured to carry out the wishes of the late Mayor.

Ms Wills said: “A welcoming flotilla will muster at 10 a.m at Town Cut, St. George’s to escort Spirit as she sails up along the North Shore, past the Royal Naval Dockyard, and then proceeds down the old sailing ship channel through Granaway Deep, Timlin’s Narrows and into Hamilton Harbour.”

The Spirit’s permanent home will be in Dockyard. Bermudians and residents are invited to inspect the ship during an open house at Dockyard on October 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.