Launching Ceremony of the Regatta of Tall Ships
H.E Ambassador Faiz attended the Launching Ceremony of the Regatta of Tall Ships to commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of Chile and Argentina (1810-2010) held at the Ministry of Defence last Monday May 12, 2008. The ceremony was officiated by Admiral Rodolfo Codina, the Chief of Chilean Navy. The launching ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Navy Argentina, diplomatic corps in Chile, members of the Naval High Command and Mayors of the Chilean cities to being visited by the ships.
Participating countries included Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Poland, Spain and Uruguay. Others yet to confirm are Belgium, Finland, Germany, Japan, Oman, Romania, Russia, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Malaysia which has yet to confirm participation is the only country from South East Asia invited for the Regatta. Malaysia will be represented by KLD Tunas Samuderaif we participate in the Regatta.
The Tunas Samudera just sailed home last month (27 April) after completing a 410-day around-the-world-voyage, covering a distance of 32,690 nautical miles. The sailboat arrived amid a grand welcoming ceremony attended by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is the Captain-in-Chief of the Navy.
The Malaysian sail training flagship KLD Tunas Samudera was commissioned in the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) on 16 September 1989. It is a Brigantine type with 3 square sails fitted, i.e. fore course, top sail and top gallant. It is also fore and aft rig with 10 sails may be set at any one time in light wind. Construction of Tunas Samudera began in 1988 in Lowestoft, England and the official handover ceremony took place on 16 September 1989 in the presence of the Royal Highness Her Queen Elizabeth at Lumut, Perak.
The five-month Regatta of Tall Ships will circumnavigate the South Cone of America, beginning in Rio de Janeiro in February of 2010, making stops at ports of Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and ends in Mexico in June. With regard to Chilean section, it is planned that the fleet of Sailboats will make their stops at the Cape Horn - the southern tip of American region, Talcahuano, Robinson Crusoe Island and Valparaiso, between April and March.
In the port of Valparaiso in Chile, the sailboats will participate in a 'Naval parade', which would allow the public to visit the sailboats of different nationalities. In addition to the naval parade, various activities such as cultural, musical and sporting events would be organised at each receiving ports. Bigger events are expected to be held at ports of countries that will be sharing the bicentennial celebration with Chile and Argentina such as Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.
Admiral Rodolfo Codina, Chief of Chilean Navy launching the event.
Ambassador Faiz congratulating the Chilean Chief of Navy
Route of the Regatta
Countries invited to the Regatta
KLD Tunas Samudera (picture courtesy of Bruno Girin)
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago
