7 May 2006 | Willemstad, Curacao


'The island of Curacao 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.”

The four-master Juan Sebastián de Elcano put on port in Willemstad, Curacao at the invitation of Curacao Sail on May 3rd, 2006.

The 79 year old ship is one of only three tall ships in the world with four masts. This magnificent top-sail schooner with square rigged foremast has circumnavigated the globe many times, but this is her first visit to Curacao.


Welcoming party with the ship's Lead Officer onshore, from L-R: LO R van Mierlo, Jan Koning, JGD,
Germaine de Jongh-Hart, Lucky Ezechiëls, Vice-Consul Omar van der Dijs, LO D. de Beurs.

The Juan Sebastian de Elcano was built in Spain in 1927 and delivered to the Spanish Navy in 1928. She has an iron hull and a rigging consisting of 20 sails with a total surface area of 3,153 meters.

A Gala evening was held aboard the vessel Wednesday evening. On Thursday evening Consul Omar van der Dijs of Spain hosted a reception for the Officers and crew at Kura Hulanda. Friday was a day of activities at Lodge Kura Hulanda and beach Club, Westpunt.

On Saturday, May 6th, the Curacao Sail Foundation sponsored an event for the public. The Foundation also arranged an activity programme for the 225 crew members of the Juan Sebastián the Elcano.

The schooner departed Curacao late in the afternoon of Sunday, May 7th.

The island of Curacao 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 June 2002 the Foundation brought Americas Sail to the island and in March 2004 the Mollendo of the Peruvian Navy with an 389-man crew visited Curacao. The Curacao Sail Foundation is supported, in part , by the JADE Foundation and Kura Hulanda.