A FORMIDABLE fleet of ships will descend on Williamstown early next month.
As part of Melbourne’s first major International Tall Ships
Festival, nine vessels from Britain, Indonesia, Netherlands and
Australia, including Young Endeavour and Enterprize, will be docked in
Williamstown between September 6 and 14.
As part of the celebrations, Seaworks will host a maritime
festival on September 7 and 8, featuring music, stalls, ship tours and
talks.
Seaworks executive officer Therese Pritchard believes it will be an event to remember, with British ship the Lord Nelson and Indonesian naval vessel KRI Dewaruci among those dropping anchor at Workshops Pier.
“Having the biggest fleet of tall ships in Williamstown for 100
years is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Mrs Pritchard said. “The
fleet will evoke memories of days gone by and help connect the community
with Williamstown’s maritime past.”
A highlight of the festival will involve captains of the various vessels providing audience talks at the Seaworks museum.
A fireworks display will close the week-long festival on September
13 before the tall ships set sail the following morning. Mrs Pritchard
said the tall ships festival was a prime opportunity to promote the
local community.
“The whole place will come to life and we are hoping this will
springboard into a more regular event,” she said. “There should be a
really great festive atmosphere set against the backdrop of nine
beautiful ships in the bay. It’s a real chance to showcase Hobsons Bay.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Angela Altair said the festival would be like
stepping back in time to Williamstown’s earliest days as the original
port for Victoria.
“It is really going to be quite a sight to see these magnificent vessels here,” she said.
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria will host a captains’ dinner and crew
barbecue as part of the welcome events and BAE Systems will create a
public viewing area for the Indonesian naval ship.
Seaworks expects more than 5000 people a day will flock to the
weekend maritime festival and has recommended people should buy tickets
in advance to avoid queues.
All money raised from ticket sales will be used to redevelop the Seaworks site.
Details: melbournetallships2013.yachting.org.au
