The History
The Amerigo Vespucci, the historic and iconic training ship of the Italian Navy, has embarked on a 20-month tour of the world, commencing on 1 July 2023.
With a return to port scheduled for 26 February 2025, the ship will travel approximately 40,000 miles.
Commissioned in May 1930 and launched in February 1931, the ship entered service in July of the same year as a training ship for the Livorno Naval Academy, with the aim of training future officers for the Royal Navy. Today she is considered a true floating jewel, a witness to ninety years of Italian history. The ship’s motto is “Not he who begins, but he who perseveres”.
The Nave Vespucci is commonly known as the ‘Floating Embassy’ of Italy. Its main functions are to train Officer Cadets and provide distinctive sailing experiences. Moreover, it provides opportunities for collaboration and highlights Italy’s image, displaying the excellence of Italian-made and symbolic products. The ship embodies Italy’s historical tradition and culture to the world.
The ship is named after Amerigo Vespucci, the famous explorer born into a rich and noble family in Florence in 1454. Vespucci met Christopher Columbus in Spain and was inspired by his voyages of discovery. Although the exact number of voyages made by Vespucci is unknown, recent studies suggest that he made four.
The first two voyages were conducted on behalf of the Spanish Crown, commencing in 1497 with the exploration of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of the United States. The voyages then proceeded southwards towards the mouth of Rio de las Amazonas and Cape Sao Agostinho.
The last two voyages were commissioned by the King of Portugal and followed a route that included the Cape Verde Islands, the Atlantic coasts of South America (from Guiana to Patagonia), and Rio de Janeiro Bay in 1502.
The Ship in figures
It is worth noting that the ship’s length at the waterline is 82 metres, but it reaches 101 metres between the extreme stern and the end of the bowsprit. Additionally, the hull’s maximum width is 15.5 metres, which increases to 21 metres when considering the size of the boats protruding from the broadside, and to 28 metres when considering the ends of the longest yardarm, the mainmast trevo. Finally, the maximum draught is 7.3 metres.
The ship features three vertical masts, each carrying five spars, and a total sail area of approximately 2635 square metres, consisting of 24 sails.
The sails are manoeuvred by cables of different diameters, totalling approximately 36 km.
The hull is of the three main deck type. At the bow of the ship, there is a gilded bronze figurehead representing Amerigo Vespucci. The ship is further distinguished by its prow friezes and stern arabesque, which are made of wood covered in pure gold leaf. The vessel’s design has been described as elegant and majestic, which has earned it the nickname ‘Queen of the Seas’.
The crew is made up of 264 military personnel, including 15 officers, 30 non-commissioned officers, 34 sergeants, and 185 sub-commissioned officers and joint chiefs. They are divided into six departments: Operations, Marine, Detail/Arms, Naval/Electrical, Administrative/Logistics, and Health Services.
The Instruction Campaign sees the participation of around 400 individuals, including 100 cadets per year and support staff from the Naval Academy.
For further details regarding the boat and its history, please refer to: https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/forze-navali/Pagine/Vespucci_ENG.aspx
Tour 2023-2025
The presence of Nave Vespucci in more than 30 ports across 27 countries will promote Italian values and production excellence on five continents, strengthening the competitiveness of the Country System at a global level.
Already an ambassador for UNESCO and UNICEF, Nave Vespucci will also help develop and consolidate academic and university collaborations during its world tour, particularly in the field of scientific research and the protection of the marine system, while promoting the environmental objectives of World Oceans Day.
The 2023-’25 round-the-world voyage of the “Queen of the Seas” is scheduled as follows:
- Departure from Genoa on 1 July 2023. Planned stops in various international ports such as the Principality of Monaco, Marseille in France, Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, Dakar in Senegal, and Praia in the Cape Verde Islands.
- After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, it will arrive in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic between 6 and 28 August.
- It will continue its journey southwards with stops in Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, where it remained until 1 April 2024.
- After passing through the Strait of Magellan (or Cape Horn), the ship will visit various ports along the Pacific coast, including Punta Arenas in Chile, Callao in Peru, and Guayaquil in Ecuador.
- The voyage will continue with a series of stops in North America, including the cities of Los Angeles and Honolulu in the United States.
- For the first time, the Vespucci will cross the Pacific Ocean to visit Tokyo in Japan and Manila in the Philippines,
- She will then dock in Darwin in the Northern Territory (Australia) for three days from 4 to 7 October.
- This will be followed by stops in Indonesia, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Egypt, and Cyprus.
- The return to La Spezia, home port, is scheduled for 11 February 2025
More info on the Vespucci tour (in IT) https://www.marina.difesa.it/cosa-facciamo/Pagine/Il_giro_del_mondo_nave_Vespucci.aspx
In Australia
The Spirit of Stella and the Wheels on Waves Project
Lo Spirito di Stella is a remarkable catamaran that provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to enjoy the sea. The boat has embarked on a round-the-world voyage from Genoa, alongside Nave Vespucci, and will make several stops in Australia, including Brisbane, before reuniting with Nave Vespucci at the Port of Darwin. The Wheels on Waves project is dedicated primarily to veterans of all Armed Forces who became disabled during the course of their service. It enables people with disabilities and their companions to experience the sea and sailing free of charge and without any barriers.
For further details on Wheels on Waves, please visit Wheels On Waves 2023-2025 | Come on board and sail with us!
