The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ arrives at Den Helder after 29 day’s runs

The training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ has arrived at Holland after crossing the North Atlantic at full sail for the first time in history. The ship docked in Den Helder after sailing 3,680 miles during 29 day’s runs starting on May 21st in Newport (USA).

The training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ has visited this Dutch city for the first time in her 85 years of service to participate in a gathering of tall-ships from all over the world to celebrate the 525th Anniversary of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Spanish Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Jaime Muñoz-Delgado also attended the festivities.

Schedule of events

King William Alexander of the Netherlands reviewed the moored ships on board the ‘Stad Amsterdam’. From all the tall-ships present in the review, the Spanish training ship was designated to honor the Dutch king with a 35 gun salute.

After the naval review, the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ set sail towards Den Helder. She was the first ship to enter port and saluted the city with 21 gunshots. The Spanish training ship will stay in Den Helder until June 25th participating in the different ‘Sail Den Helder 2013’ events, like a parade and receptions for crews from other warships. During the port-call the ship will be open for public visits including the Spanish colony living there. This is the first time the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ visits the city and the event has raised great expectations.

Upon the conclusion of the visit to the Low Countries, the training ship will return to Spain calling at the following ports: Santander, Avilés (Asturias), Baiona and Marín.