The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ visits Valparaiso

After a 1,000-mile voyage from Punta Arenas through the Strait of Magellan and the fjords and channels of Chile, the Spanish Navy training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ entered Pacific Ocean waters and arrived at Valparaiso on April 3rd.

This is the 15th time the ship calls at this city. She was welcomed by the Spanish Ambassador to Chile and many regional military and civilian authorities.

During the port of call, the midshipmen visited the frigate ‘Prat’, designated host support ship by the Chilean Navy, and the Naval Academy where they could fraternize with their Chilean counterparts in social and sport activities.

A group of Spanish and Chilean midshipmen paid tribute to the heroes of the Battle of Iquique in the course of a wreath-laying ceremony in the monument located in front of the Chilean Navy Headquarters.

Apart from the traditional reception for the Spanish colony and local community, a military service was organized on board for 58 Spanish citizens who showed their love for Spain by taking part in a pledge of allegiance to the flag ceremony.

The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ was opened to the general public welcoming students from different schools like the ‘Español María Reina’ and the ‘Hispano Americano’ and other groups like the volunteer firemen of Valparaiso, a unit which bears the name of ‘Bomba España’.

The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ set sail on April 8th towards Callao (Peru), the next port of call of the ship’s 86th Training Cruise.