Sailors celebrate in St George's

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16: Dozens of yacht crews from across the world descended on St George’s last week as part of the Arc Europe Rally.

The sailors have been making the most of their time on the island and participants dropped into the meet the watch officers at Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre on Monday.

While on Sunday the fleet attended a prize giving ceremony at the St George’s Dinghy and Sports Club for the first stage of the rally.

Most of the yachts sailed into Bermuda from the British Virgin Islands over the weekend, but some crews started their journey in Virginia and Florida.

The fleet of 34 vessels will set off across the Atlantic today bound for the Azores on the next leg of their voyage.

Lyall Burgess, event manager, told the Bermuda Sun: “All the crews have had a fantastic time while they have been in Bermuda.

“It was also great for some of the participants to meet the officers at Bermuda Harbour Radio.

“A lot of the people that take part in the rally are returning home to Europe after spending the winter in the Caribbean.

“But we also have our American crews heading off on their first trip across the Atlantic to Europe.

“There is a competitive side to this event, but it’s a rally and there is a lot of camaraderie amongst the crews.

“Many participants are retired or taking a year off work and enjoy the fact they can cruise in company.”

The crews are expected to arrive in the Azores in around two weeks.

They will then set off on the last leg of the rally to Marina de Lagos in Portugal.

Elsewhere this week it’s just cruise ships and container vessels.

The Veendam will remain alongside at Hamilton until she heads back to New York on Friday.

Today the Norwegian Star and Celebrity’s Summit arrive in Dockyard while the Somers Isles container ship arrives in the capital.

The Bermuda Islander is scheduled to arrive in Hamilton tomorrow as per usual.

While this Saturday the Enchantment of the Seas arrives in the East End and will be followed in by Norwegian Dawn on Sunday.

The Oleander completes this week’s schedule when she comes into Hamilton on Sunday afternoon.