The island of Curacao, Dutch Caribbean, celebrated its
500th anniversary in
1999 and that year’s greatest event, Sail Curacao 500 was part of
the year
round celebrations. Although it was the first time such an event
was organized,
it was a huge success for the crews of the participants, the "ARC
Gloria"
(Colombia) and the "ARV Simón Bolívar", as well as for our local
people.
During those days Curacao and our harbor were in the
spotlight, showing the enthusiasm of our naval visitors
joining that of our local people and emphasizing our
close link with the sea throughout our history.
Based on this experience, the Curacao Sail Foundation
was established in 2000 in order to promote the interest
in traditional and tall ships – especially among the
youth - by organizing international maritime events. At
the same time our mandate is to promote our harbor in
the center of Willemstad our World Heritage capital.
In this context we, as host port, organized our
second Sail Festival, as starting event of the 3rd
Americas' Sail Regatta 2002. The participants of this
Festival were the "Insulinde" (Curacao), the "Bat'kivshchyna
" (Ukraine), the "Polynesia" (Grenada), the "Cisne
Branco" (Brazil), the "Jaguar" and the "HM Bloys van
Treslong" (Royal Dutch Navy & Coastguard). The
enthusiasm of the crews, the work done by our Project
Team and Volunteers and the cooperation of the Royal
Dutch Navy & Coastguard turned this event in another
successful festival.
In 2004 the Peruvian sail training vessel B.A.P. "Mollendo"
paid us a successful visit; its officers and crew
acclaimed our island as offering the best services and
entertainment on their sail training voyage; they left
determined to promote Curacao everywhere.
The Curacao Sail Foundation is affiliated to the
International Federation of Maritime Associations and
Navy Leagues (FIDALMAR).
Due to its geographic position since the 17th century,
Curacao has played a fundamental role within the
historical processes of its neighbors, including a
bridging role between Great Colombia and Holland. Hence
one may say, that its key economic position as part of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands, depends on this
strategic position and that of its harbor, in between
Latin America and the Caribbean region.
It is this strategic position that makes Curacao a
perfect hub for vessels from all over the world sailing
through the Caribbean.
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