Making an impressive sight in Dublin Bay this morning is the world's oldest and most authentic fully-rigged ship still in active service, the Norwegian-flagged Sørlandet, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Sørlandet with several sails set aloft approached Scotsman’s Bay, where it anchored off Dun Laoghaire Harbour's East Pier. Its arrival in Irish waters completes a voyage from Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island, the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal.
At almost a century old, the Sørlandet, built in Kristiansand, Norway, in 1927, is used as a full-rigged ship for training young people for the merchant marine. The name of the tall ship (at just under 34m) comes from the southern region of Norway; it means the 'southern land'.
The number of trainees catered for is 72, in addition to a permanent crew of 20.
Operating the tall ship is the Foundation Ship Sørlandet (Stiftelsen Fullriggeren Sørlandet) of Kristiansand, which offers people of all ages between 15 and 70 of both sexes and all nationalities the opportunity to participate as trainees. No previous sailing experience is required.
Sørlandet has participated in several of the Tall Ships Races in the years 2017, 2018, 2019, and last year.
In addition to trainee summer voyages, the near 60-metre tall ship is open for charter cruises, participating in hired port festivals, and related specialised projects.
See the Sørlandet on the live Dublin Bay webcam