History has been made in the Far East, where the Inaugural SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta 2018 has begun in Yeosu, South Korea.
Under dramatic skies, Russian ship Nadezhda made her way into port early today (27 August) to join local ship Koreana (South Korea) and Ami (Japan), who arrived yesterday on the tail of Typhoon Soulik. Indonesian Navy ship Bima Suci, on her first outing to a Tall Ships Race for this new ship, then made a spectacular arrival with seemingly the entire ship’s company dancing, drumming and playing various instruments on deck. More vessels will be arriving in the coming days.
After five days relaxing in and exploring Yeosu the fleet of six, mainly state owned vessels, will race 600 miles through the Pacific region to Vladivostok in Russia.
The event was officially opened at a press conference overlooking the fleet, where Sail Training international Race Chairman Einar Corwin spoke of the expansion of Tall Ships Races and Regattas across the world and the need in this challenging world to develop international understanding.
“This event is organized by Sail Training International, a nonprofit charity that gathers Sail Trainers and Tall Ship Operators from all over the world. Our purpose is to gather and to educate young people of all nationalities, cultures, religions, social backgrounds and individual abilities through sail training. Since the beginning of such Regattas in 1956, there have been many Tall Ships Races and Regattas.
Most of these Races and Regattas take place in European Waters, but during the last decades, Sail Training International has gradually put more focus on all oceans of the world, as we did when we participated in a Far East Regatta in 1997. It is therefore very good to be in the Far East again, and to meet a truly international crew, from Japan and South Korea, and also from culturally quite diversified countries like Russia and Indonesia.
We believe that Sail Training has made a significant positive contribution to the lives of thousands of young people. We live in a world with increasing political and cultural challenges. We are proud that we, together with ships and ports, offer Sail Training to young people, as we know that it is a unique platform to develop international understanding and friendship. We arrange Races and Regattas, but the main trophies are not awarded for fast racing, but it is won by the crew who contributes most to international understanding and friendship”
Sail Training International Race Chairman, Einar Corwin
Where is Yeosu?
Yeosu is a port located on the South of the Korean Peninsula, in the Challa-Namdo Province of South Korea and on the coast of the Korean Strait. It consists of a number of picturesque islands, Sado and Comundo being the most famous for their black volcanic sands.
Historically fishing has flourished in Yeosu and today the port is the leading centre for processing sea food. At the beginning of the 21st century, tourism developed rapidly as Yeosu played host to the 2012 World Expo. The Buddhist Temple of Hyngoks, founded in 1195, and the Dharma Hall, renowned for its paintings, are key sights within the city.
About the SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta
The two-port Regatta takes place between Yeosu, South Korea (27th August to 1st September), and Vladivostok, Russia (9th to 14th September). Primarily state owned vessels are taking part, including ships from Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Russia.
The 4th Eastern Economic Forum is being held in Vladivostok at the same time as the SCF Far East Tall Ships Regatta 2018 (11-13 September), where world leaders are expected to be in attendance.
About our sponsor: Sovcomflot
Sovcomflot (SCF) is Russia’s largest shipping company and one of the global leaders in the maritime transportation of hydrocarbons, as well as the servicing oil and gas projects on the continental shelf, including offshore seismic exploration. The world’s leading operator and largest owner of ice-class vessels designed to operate in difficult navigational conditions: 79 ice-class vessels rated from ICE 1C to ARC7 and Icebreaker ICE-15. The Company’s fleet (owned and chartered) specialises in hydrocarbon transportation from regions with challenging icy conditions and includes 147 vessels with a combined deadweight of 12,732,069 tonnes.
The Group has offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Limassol, London and Dubai. Over 7,800 employees at sea and ashore. The Group is one of the largest employers in Russia’s coastal towns of the North-West, Southern and Far Eastern regions.
You can find a Russian translation of this report here Russian Translation 27 August.
