The sight of tall ships on the horizon can stir the spirit of adventure in us all, and Victorians will celebrate that spirit when it welcomes the arrival of nine tall ships into the historic seaport of Williamstown in the inner west of Melbourne, during September 2013, establishing the city’s first major international tall ships festival.
Five international tall ships are traveling to Australia and have confirmed they will take part in the event, joining four Australian vessels. The ships will sail into Williamstown over a week in September, with arrivals commencing on Friday, 6th September with the last ship departing Saturday, 14th September.
Nine of the magnificent vessels in Williamstown at the same time will create a true visual spectacular, providing an opportunity for people to experience the grandeur of tall ships up close.
The event will draw crowds to the shoreline and to the various dockside locations along Nelson Place, Williamstown where the ships will be berthed, including at Seaworks, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria and Gem Pier.
The visiting ships will include the Indonesian naval ship Dewaruci II, three ships travelling to Australia from their home ports in the Netherlands and the Lord Nelson out of Southampton, one of only two tall ships in the world designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side as equals.
Australian ships will be represented by the Soren Larsen from Sydney, the Young Endeavour from Sydney, the Windeward Bound from Hobart and Melbourne’s Enterprize.
The Melbourne International Tall Ships Festival was instigated by Tall Ships Victoria and hosted by its partner, Seaworks Foundation. The festival is coordinated by a working group that includes representatives from the primary venues; Seaworks and the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, the Victorian sailing community and assisted by Hobsons Bay City Council.
“The Melbourne International Tall Ships Festival is effectively a curtain–raiser for a number of gatherings that will happen around Australia and New Zealand during September and October “ said Tall Ships Victoria president Peter Harris.
“We are very excited about bringing these ships together in Williamstown from so many points around the world.”
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillor Angela Altair agreed. “Williamstown is the perfect home for this international event and I know locals and visitors alike will turn out in numbers to welcome the ships and their crews. Waterfront Williamstown is rich in maritime history, and the sight of these ships en masse with the backdrop of Nelson Place with its Victorian shop fronts and across the bay to the city of Melbourne will be an impressive one indeed.
“Tourism is a very important part of our economy here in the west and we look forward to working with the ships and the event partners to ensure the festival is successful for all.”
It is planned that at least five of the ships will be berthed at Seaworks. “The Melbourne International Tall Ships Festival is an opportunity to showcase the Seaworks site so that the wider public can see our vision for a working maritime precinct which focused on tall ships, maritime heritage and education” said Seaworks chairman Trevor Huggard.
Further details about arrival times and viewing times will be circulated closer to the event.
