The Tall Ships Races are held yearly, with the aim of helping people make new friends to give people the opportunity to sail.

The ship participating in the International Exchange, the ‘Gulden Leeuw’ will participate in the 2013 Tall Ship Races and start it’s voyage in Riga, Latvia.

This exciting journey begins on Saturday, July 27 and 5pm. The morning after the real fun begins and you will be shown the ropes and learn how everything works.

To round off the voyage that will end on August 9 at 9am. You will arrive in the old city of Rostock.

Gulden Leeuw, “Following historic trading routes from the Baltic to West-Europe”

When: 27th of July – 8th of August 2013

What: Tall Ships Race 2 and European Union exchange from Riga (LV) to Szczecin (PL) and extra voyage to Rostock (DE).

Age: 15 – 25 years

Cost: £380

Participating countries: Belgium, Hungary, France, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Netherlands and UK.

Pelican arrives in Falmouth

Having completed a voyage across the Atlantic, the Tall Ship Pelican made a short stop in Falmouth’s inner harbour  this week before heading back to its homeport in Weymouth.

The Pelican was built in France in 1946, and then transformed into a tall ship in 1995 by former naval commander Graham Neilson. Previously used as an Arctic trawler, Pelican now encourages people of all ages and abilities to join them on their voyages.

If you’d like to find out more about the T.S Pelican visit: http://www.adventureundersail.com/index.html

The Regatta is at an early planning stage, with Greenwich, London, the second port to be signed up, with the third port in either France or Spain to be announced. Falmouth has secured its place in the Regatta thanks to the proven success of the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta in 2008, the Tall Ships Race event in 1998 and as a Tall Ship friendly port since their first ever visit in 1966.

Cornwall Development Company will be responsible for delivering the event in Falmouth to Sail Training International requirements, on behalf of Cornwall Council. The Festivals and Events Team at Visit Cornwall will work in partnership with Falmouth Town Council, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, A&P Falmouth, Falmouth Tall Ships Association, Cornwall Marine Network, National Maritime Museum Cornwall and other partners and sponsors to be confirmed.

“The confirmation that Falmouth will be hosting the 2014 Tall Ships Regatta will be a tremendous boost to the economy of Falmouth. The benefits will be felt across all sectors of the business community and will put Falmouth and Cornwall at the forefront of national and international media attention once again,” commented Cllr Joan Symons, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Leisure, Cornwall Council.

When the Tall Ships last visited Falmouth in September 2008, the fleet of ships, including nine of the majestic square rigged A Class vessels, created a fantastic spectacle set against the iconic backdrop of Falmouth Harbour framed by Henry VIII’s twin castles of Pendennis and St Mawes. The economic impact of the event left a lasting impression on the area, attracting 100,000 visitors and generating over £12m for the local economy.

“We have this great opportunity again in Falmouth to bring many major sail training ships to Falmouth and show them the hospitality that is synonymous with the town. We are delighted to be chosen to be part of this prestigious race,” said John Hick, Chairman of Falmouth Tall Ships Association.

“Falmouth’s association with the sea and ships has been a part of Cornwall’s heritage for centuries and Falmouth always gives an enthusiastic welcome to these ships of bygone times”.

Peter Cardy, Chief Executive of Sail Training International said, “Falmouth is reputed to be the third largest natural harbour in the world and is therefore an excellent venue for a Tall Ships Regatta. The event will be a great opportunity for individuals of all ages and organisations to be involved and take part in a world class event. As well as being a great location, the welcome and support the Tall Ships can expect here is second to none. We’re really looking forward to coming back and working with the dedicated team that delivered such a successful event in 2008.”

Dates for the Regatta will be announced when all the ports have been selected and the Race course determined.

Follow the latest information about the event plans in Falmouth on Twitter @tallships_2014 and for details of further events in Cornwall see www.visitcornwall.com.

The Dutch brig will be setting sail from Falmouth Docks for two trips each day between March 29 – 31 and one final trip on April 1, all subject to weather.

The ship, one of the youngest in the international tall ship fleet, was launched in 2005. Unlike most ships in her class, Mercedes was built specifically with the needs of the corporate entertainment market in mind and has a very comfortable interior.

Mercedes has two masts, each carrying five square sails, and sailors are offered the chance to set the sails themselves, if they choose to.

Members of the public do not need any experience of sailing or any special equipment or clothing to take part in the sails.

Sailings are at 11am to 3pm or 5pm to 9pm and include a meal aboard. Adult tickets start from £59 each while children’s tickets begin at £30.

Places are limited so if you’d like to secure your spot please visit our ticket page to download a booking form or pay online via PayPal.

For further information on the Mercedes sailing trips please call 01326 254981.

First Mate Carol, FTSA L/O Anne Oliver, Captain Mendygrat and Captain in Training Bartholomew Skwara

Falmouth Tall Ships Liaison Officer, Anne Oliver, had a busy week with two ships bound for the Caribbean calling into Falmouth before their journey.

Class Afloat Training Ship Thor Heyerdahl arrived on Thursday evening with a list of requests, including a visit for one of the trainees to Hospital, another to the Optician and a request for fuel and food…

The youngsters on board, aged 15 and 16, have paid 16,000 euros for a six month trip on board the vessel where they learn all aspects of sailing and continue with their school work.

Between Falmouth and Panama, they must learn Spanish and are then sent ashore for a two week period, having previously arranged all aspects of their tour, including the places to visit and money to be spent.

They will visit Falmouth again in April 2013, around the 18th, on their return to Germany.

The second ship was our friend Fryderyk Chopin who arrived on Friday, and who is now proudly sailing with two new masts completed in Falmouth Docks.  The crew were excited to report that they won this Years Tall Ships Race, completing at one point 260 nautical miles in 24 hours (the leg between Coruna to Dublin). The last Polish ship to win the race was Iskra 22 years ago.

Anne reported that Captain Mendygrat was mentoring Bartlomiej Skwara who had just passed his final exams and who was taking the ship to Lisbon. They have a full complement on board of 44 persons and in Lisbon will see a crew change to yet again a Class Afloat sailing to Morocco, Canaries, Cape Verde and onto the Caribbean for Christmas!

They were delighted to be back in Falmouth and they too will visit on their return sometime in March 2013.

Tall ship Europa visits Falmouth

The tall ship Europa made a handsome sight as she ran under full sail from Falmouth this week. Next year the bark, which makes regular trips to Antarctica, will be spending time in Australia and New Zealand.

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She last visited us for three days in July 2011 and we were able to arrange three day and evening four-hour sails with refreshments at £55 a head and these were really well supported with around 100 each sail.

One local firm booked an evening just for themselves with friends and clients and had 130 people on board for their sail. Captain Oliver Wippefuerth was thrilled with his visit.

The massive brigantine is designed especially to provide day sailing in total unashamed luxury with comfortable lounges, deck saloon and bar and the rig has been designed so people can help sail the ship if they wish.

Home: port Amsterdam
Length: 50 m
Beam: 7.6 m
Sail area: 900 m²
Speed under sail: 14 knots

She was built in Marmaris, Turkey in 1996 for the price of £2m as an action vehicle for the film and TV industry and is well known for depicting HMS Indefatigable in the TV series Hornblower. She is 46.3 m long.

In 2010 she was purchased by the french company  Étoile Marine Croisières and was renamed Etoile Du Roy, meaning ‘King’s Star’. She is based at the port Saint-malo, Brittany in France.

She visited Falmouth in June 2003.

Home: Port of Saint-Malo in France

Length: 46.3 m

Beam: 10 m

Sail area: 790 m²

Speed under sail: 9.1 knots

She was originally used as a German cargo ship. Now a total of 120 cadets, future navigating officers, ship engineers and radio operators enjoy training on board and she takes 50 guest trainees on each voyage.

A regular visitor at tall ship races, last in Falmouth in June 2008.

Home: Murmansk State Technical University

Length: 1175 m

Beam: 14.9 m

Sail area: 4150 m²

Speed under sail: 18 knots