The Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta in Halifax, Nova Scotia is in full swing and the crews are having a great time playing in Canada’s ocean playground. This epic Tansatlantic event visits 35 ports; 30 of those are in Canada and a third of those are here in Nova Scotia.
They’ve been enjoying pop up music stages with live music throughout the site, marching music bands, street entertainers, hockey matches, a great crew lounge, crew parade and prize giving and a fantastic Nova Scotia welcome. Flags have been raised, the fleet has been blessed and the Captains have been treated with Nova Scotia seafood. It’s already been a festival to remember for years to come.
CREW TREATS
After time at sea on a Tall Ship event everyone looks forward to arriving in port and catching up with friends. The Halifax crew centre is the perfect place to do this. Tucked away from the busy waterfront crews have their own lounge where they can enjoy hot showers, flush toilets, comfy chairs, high speed wi-fi, computer access, free soft drinks and a never ending suppy of freshly popped hot pop-corn. There are interactive games including a simulated driving experience, air hockey and Pac Man Arcade and cards.
As well as the comfy crew centre eight ship teams took part in an organised street hockey tournament, while others have taken advantage of the complimentary bus and ferry rides to visit the city and visit the Discovery Centre and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic with free passes.
And if that wasn’t enough the crews are invited to take full advantage of the public event programme from film festivals and musical concerts, to a Mi’kmaq Cultural Gathering Experience and fire acrobats.
PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY
Today (Sunday 30 July) the crews dressed up for the traditional crew parade and prize giving ceremony on the main stage, where traditional hand made dream catchers and certificates were presented.
Most Spectacular Arrival in Port: Alexander von Humboldt II (Germany)
Best Dressed Ship in Port: El Galeon (Spain) (full rig)
Best Dressed Ship in Port: Bluenose II (Canada) (schooner-gaff rig)
Youngest Trainee (male): Anotine Drun (15 years old), Oosterschelde (Netherlands)
Youngest Trainee (female): Daisy Maunder (15 years old), Jolie Brise (UK)
Youngest Captain: Reins Gedzuns, Spaniel (Latvia)
Best in Crew Parade, Class A: El Galeon (Spain)
Best in Crew Parade, Class B, C, D: Rona II (UK)
Youngest Crew: Rona II (UK) Average age 23 years old
Most International Crew: Atyla (Vanuatu) with 12 different nationalities
Most Musical Crew: Oosterschelde (Netherlands)
Most Inspirational Crew: Impossible Deam (USA)
Blessing of the Fleet and Welcoming Ceremony
The Blessing of the Fleet is an old and revered tradition which has been passed down from generation to generation originating in Sicily and as ancient as biblical times. This centuries old Italian rite calls on divine providence to safeguard ships and crews from the danger of the sea.
A ceremony attended by all the Captains and Halifax dignatories officially opened the event.
“It has pleased providence to bring together in this great and historic harbour a wonderful gathering of tall ships and the men and women of their crews, in continuation of the traditions, romance and skills of the Age of Sail. The men and women of Tall Ships Nova Scotia and their partners have joined together to make possible this gathering, its special recognition of the 150 years of Canadian Confederation. Be it known that with the hoisting of this Sail Training International flag we declare this festival open.”
Commodore Craig Skjerpen, Canadian Fleet Atlantic
Photo: Valery Vasilevskiy