Centreport Set to Welcome Guayas to Wellington

CentrePort is set to welcome the picturesque Ecuadorian naval training ship, the Guayas, to Wellington on Sunday morning.

Chief Executive Derek Nind said “We look forward to welcoming the Guayas to Wellington. It is exciting to see a ship of this kind arrive in our Harbour.”

The 78.4m, three–masted barque was first launched in 1976 and will be berthed in Wellington for 5 days as part of a round the world voyage, as Ecuador’s ambassador to the world. Naval Operations Commander, Carlos Sumárraga, leads the journey along with 13 officials, 79 crew, 9 musicians and 41 midshipmen.

CentrePort’s Marine Manager, Captain Charles Smith recalls, “She [the Guayas] was last here in February 1988 when we had a fleet of tall ships after the Australian Bicentenary, along with the Spanish Juan Sebastian de Elcano and the Polish Dar Mlodziezy. They sailed as the QE2 arrived – quite a sight. We may even see her sailors at attention and her band playing as she comes alongside on Sunday.”

The Guayas’ current voyage is the longest she has ever undertaken (208 days at sea), with Wellington being the third to last port of call, of the 25 ports she will visit in total.

“From all of us at CentrePort, we wish the Guayas and her crew an enjoyable visit to Wellington and safe passage on her remaining journey,” said Mr Nind.

ENDS

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