Falmouth Tall Ships organisers are making the final preparations as a fleet of the world’s finest tall ships set their course to arrive in the port for the start of the prestigious race, ‘Magellan Elcano’ from Tuesday August 15 to Friday August 18.
This will be the sixth time Falmouth has hosted the significant occasion, the previous one taking place in 2014. The vibrant Cornish port is a perennial favourite of captains and crew alike, as the whole town comes alive with events, live music, receptions and parades as it welcomes around 750 international captain and crew members, and 100,000 visitors over four days.
Across the event, there will be numerous, free portside events including music concerts, a crew parade and light and laser displays. Purposefully low-priced ticketed access to the ships themselves will be available on the first three days before the free, showcase finale – the Parade of Sail – on Friday, August 18.
Tall ships races are organised globally by Sail Training International. Following the race start in Falmouth, the other legs in the Magellan Elcano series are A Coruña in Spain, Lisbon in Portugal and Cádiz, in Spain.
Around a dozen vessels are expected to sail into Falmouth including five of the world’s most impressive Class A square rigged ships. It will be a truly international event, with ships in attendance from Mexico, Denmark, Poland, Uruguay, Spain and Italy.
The five impressive Class A vessels taking part in the race are Cuauhtémoc, Georg Stage, Dar Młodzieży, Fryderyk Chopin and Capitán Miranda.
The largest of the fleet is the Polish ship Dar Młodzieży, a magnificent three masted frigate which is one of the largest training sailing ships in the world.
Dar Mlodziezy which means Gift of Youth is referred to as one of the most beautiful ships in the world and is impossible to miss at 94 metres long!
Visitors should also look out for Cuauhtémoc, the Mexican sail training vessel. She’s 78 metres long and her colourful crew numbering over 100, will likely adorn the yard arms on arrival into port and fly a giant Mexican flag off the stern.
Capitán Miranda is a three-masted staysail schooner of the Uruguayan Navy. Originally acquired by the Uruguayan Navy as a survey ship in 1930, the ship remained in service until 1976 in this role. Destined for the shipbreakers, the vessel was repurposed as a training ship in 1978.
The Class A vessels will be located within A&P Falmouth Docks. Ticketed entry into the Docks to then go onboard these will take place on the first three days of the event – August 15-17.
Gates open for the public from 1pm, with access onto the ships from 2pm and volunteers and liaison officers will be on hand to guide and support members of the public. While visiting the docks, people can stop by the food and refreshment areas and keep their ears open for the sounds of local shanty and choral groups.
Tickets to access these ships are on sale and are be priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 children and visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase online in advance via the SeeTickets platform.
There’ll be a range of local maritime charities and organisations in the docks and visitors can meet the representatives and find out more about the valuable work they do in Falmouth, Cornwall and further afield.
Organisers have also now revealed the extensive event programme, with a impressive range of day and evening happenings right across Falmouth town and at various venues. Events and opportunities include guided tours on historical lifeboats, a lights and laser show on two evenings, live music, an energetic crew parade through the town centre, impressive exhibitions at Falmouth Art Gallery, Pendennis Castle and the National Maritime Museum. Look out for free to attend live music from the Will Keating & John Dowling, DM Street and Oasish plus a host of performing shanty groups. The free to view light and laser show will take place on both Wednesday and Thursday evenings over Falmouth harbour. Vantage points will a host of places along the town waterfront from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall down to the Greenbank Hotel.
Full details are available from the Falmouth Tall Ships website at www.falmouth.co.uk/tallships.
Councillor Kirstie Edwards, Mayor of Falmouth said: “It’s been nine years since Falmouth was last in the privileged position of hosting the start of Sail Training International’s prestigious Tall Ships race, when over 100,000 people in 2014 enjoyed the wonderful spectacle of these magnificent vessels in Falmouth. And so, we are delighted to be welcoming the ships once back again.”
Kirstie continues, “Falmouth’s beautiful natural harbour and excellent maritime facilities, coupled with our reputation for hosting amazing events, make our town a natural choice for an occasion such as this. Add to this, Falmouth’s unique mix of cafes, restaurants, pubs, galleries, independent shops and stunning coastline and we have all the ingredients for another memorable Tall Ships event. A lot of people from our brilliant Town Team and delivery partners, through to dedicated volunteers, have worked very hard to pull this event off, so I do hope you enjoy Falmouth and this not-to-be-missed event.”
The prestigious occasion has been secured once again thanks to extensive behind-the-scenes work by the Falmouth Town Team - the nationally recognised partnership between Falmouth Town Council and Falmouth BID, working closely with key operational partners Perfect Events Group, Falmouth Tall Ships Association, A&P Falmouth, South West Bars & Events, Fal River, Volunteer Cornwall, Infinitus Security, Cornwall Marine Network, RNLI and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.
FACT BOXES GET YOUR TICKETS TO GO ONBOARD NOW!
https://www.seetickets.com/tour/falmouth-tall-ships-tours-2023
Seeing these impressive ships up-close, stepping onboard and getting a taster for what life is like as a tall ships sailor is not to be missed.
The organisers have just announced that extra tickets are now available for people to book a timed slost to visit the tall ships across the first three days of Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th of August 2023. Demand is expected to be extremely high due to the tall ships’ enduring popularity so do book your slot.
Given sensitivities around the current cost-of-living challenges, fees have been kept at a practical level with a nominal cost of £5 per adult (£5.50 with required booking fees) and £2.50 (£2.75 with booking fee) for those under 16 years of age.
Those purchasing tickets will be able to book designated time slots from 2pm, with the last booking slot being at 6pm over the three days. The timings are due to tide and access requirements. It is suggested that visitors then allow up to two hours for the entire experience.
Book in advance via – https://www.seetickets.com/tour/falmouth-tall-ships-tours-2023
ABOUT THE SHIPS
There are four types of Tall Ships coming to Falmouth:
CLASS A All square – all square-rigged vessels (barque, barquentine, brig, brigantine or ship rigged) with a length of hull (LOA) of over 24 metres and all other vessel more than 40 metres LOA, regardless of rig.
CLASS B Traditionally rigged vessels (ie gaff rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres.
CLASS C Modern rigged vessels (i.e Bermudan rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres not carrying spinnaker-like sails.
CLASS D Modern rigged vessels (i.e Bermudan rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres carrying spinnaker-like sails.
THE SHIPS The five impressive Class A vessels taking part in the race are Cuauhtémoc, Georg Stage, Dar Młodzieży, Fryderyk Chopin and Capitán Miranda.
The largest of the fleet is the Polish ship Dar Młodzieży, a magnificent three masted frigate which is one of the largest training sailing ships in the world. You won’t miss her, she’s 94 metres long! Also look out for Cuauhtémoc, the Mexican sail training vessel. She’s 78 metres long and her colourful crew numbering over 100, will likely adorn the yard arms on arrival into port and fly a giant Mexican flag off the stern.
PARADE OF SAIL
What is the Parade of Sail?
The Parade of Sail will take place on Friday, August 18 2023 at 3pm.
Prior to the Falmouth race start to A Coruna, Spain, the tall ships, along with hundreds of supporting local boats, yachts, and marine craft, will sail in company from their moorings, along the coast past Pendennis headland and Falmouth’s beaches.
This fantastic spectacle can be viewed from several coastal vantage points in and around Falmouth or from the water.
Q: Where can I watch the Parade of Sail and the Race Start?
A: The race start will be five miles out to sea – you’ll need a good pair of binoculars to see it but don’t worry, the wow-factor is the Parade of Sail!
On Friday, August 18, from 3pm, the Tall Ships will showcase their finery in the magnificent Parade of Sail.
The Parade of Sail will be seen from St Anthony Head on The Roseland right along the coast to Rosemullion at the entrance to the Helford.
The recommended viewing areas are Cliff Road, Pendennis Headland, Castle Beach, Gyllyngvase Beach, Swanpool Beach, Maenporth Beach, Rosemullion Head, St Mawes and St Anthony’s Head, and the coast path.
It’s also an incredible experience to witness the Parade of Sail from the water but keep well clear from the ships in the parade and pay attention to the marshalling vessels.
Full details of traffic management plans and parking arrangements can be found in the FAQs.
Additional disabled parking provision is as follows: Pendennis Point Car Park - pre-booked Blue Badge holders only - access from 9am.
Parking needs to be booked in advance. Parking is free but there are limited spaces. Please note you may not be parking in a designated disabled bay. Please display your Blue Badge on your dashboard.
To book your parking space please use the following link:
Friday Pendennis Point Booking Link
Ships and Castles Car Park – Pendennis Point and Cliff Road viewing area – accessible parking and shuttle service – access from 12.30pm.
Parking is free but there are limited spaces. Please note you may not be parking in a designated disabled bay. Please display your Blue Badge on your dashboard. To book your parking space please use the following link: Friday Ships & Castles Booking Link
The shuttle bus service will operate on a loop from the car park to Pendennis Point and Cliff Road to enable viewing of the Parade of Sail from 1pm until 5pm
St Anthony Head - The National Trust manage the car park at St Anthony Head and will offer pre-booked parking for Badge Holders only.
Bookings can be made via the following link: St Anthony Head Parking Booking Link or call 0344 249 1895.
Porth Car Park NT - will be open but there is limited parking. Blue Badge Holders and NT members free.
All other car parks are open as usual and car parking charges apply.
CAR PARKING AND TRANSPORT
All Falmouth’s Cornwall Council managed car parks with the exception of Church Street Car Park which will be a key venue site, are open and fully accessible throughout the event. Those car parks are situated at The Quarry, The Moor, Grove Place, Well Lane, The Dell and Gyllyngvase Beach. There are disabled provisions throughout these sites, plus a dedicated pre-bookable option for Blue Badge holders at Ships and Castles. A shuttle bus will be on hand to transfer to the Docks site from Ships & Castles car park.
Ships and Castles Disabled Parking and Shuttle Service In addition to the Blue Badge option at Pendennis Point, there will be a shuttle bus service from the Ships and Castle Car Park to Falmouth Docks. This service is for Blue Badge holders or persons with limited mobility only. The shuttle service will run every 15 minutes from the car park to the Docks entrance.
The bus has 24 seats and can accommodate a wheelchair. Parking and shuttle service is free of charge, but spaces are limited, and availability will be on a first-come first-served basis via the following booking links. Please note there is a different link for each day of the event:
Public Transport in and around Falmouth GWR Maritime Line service will be operating a hour-hourly service day and evening throughout the event. Note that Dell Town Station will be closed as is GWR’s operating practice when large events are happening in Falmouth. The Docks and Penmere Stations are operating as usual.
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/cornwall
http://otsfalmouth.co.uk/bus-services/
https://www.falriver.co.uk/ferries
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I go on board the Ships whilst they are in Falmouth?
A: Visitors will have the opportunity to board some of the historic tall ships as they will be sited within the A&P Falmouth Docks. Tickets to access these ships are on sale and priced at £5.00 for adults and £2.50 children. Book here – https://www.seetickets.com/tour/falmouth-tall-ships-tours-2023
Q: What do I/we get for our ticket price?
A: Your tickets will enable you access into Falmouth Docks, where you will have the opportunity to go onboard the five Class A tall ships which will be berthed in there. When you book your chosen time slot, we recommend allowing up to two hours for your visit. Within the site, there will some food and drink and entertainment provision.
Q: Are dogs allowed in Falmouth Docks?
A: No, for safety reasons, dogs are not permitted within the docks, with the exception of registered guide and assistance dogs while undertaking their roles.
Q: Where is the best place to see the Ships whilst they are in Falmouth?
A: A fleet of around a dozen tall ships from around the world will arrive in the historic port of Falmouth in the days leading up to the 15 August as part of the Tall Ships Magellan-Elcano races. The five large, Class A square-rigged vessels will berth alongside at Falmouth Docks and visitors will have the opportunity to book tickets to go onboard the Class A vessels while they are berthed within Falmouth Docks.
Class C & D vessels will be berthed at Port Pendennis Marina and while the smaller vessels are not open to the public, they can be viewed from adjacent quayside vantage points.
Q: Will there be entertainment in Falmouth?
A: There will be a packed schedule of free, onshore activities for you to enjoy, culminating in a memorable Parade of Sail event on Friday 18th August. This will include live music concerts, light and lasers displays and a crew parade.
For latest information on all activities planned in Falmouth as part of the event visit https://www.falmouth.co.uk/tallships or follow the event’s social media accounts: Twitter: @tallships_race, Facebook: Tall Ships Falmouth.
Q: What is a Parade of Sail?
A: The Parade of Sail will take place from 3pm on Friday, August 18. This not-to-missed occasion will see the Class A, B, C and D tall ships leave their dock and marina berths, and together with hundreds of local boats and crafts of all sizes, sail in company around Falmouth Bay.
This provides a magnificent sight for the thousands of spectators who will seek out the many coastal vantage points such as St Anthony’s Head on the Roseland Peninsula, to more Falmouth-based areas such as Pendennis Point, Castle, Gyllyngvase and Swanpool Beaches. And don’t worry if you see the ships out on the water earlier in the day, you haven’t missed the event! It’s simply that tide timings mean they will leave the docks when water allows. The Parade of Sail you will be able to witness as mentioned, from 3pm.
Q: Where can I watch the Parade of Sail and the Race Start?
A: The race start will be 5 miles out to sea – you’ll need a good pair of binoculars to see it but don’t worry, the wow-factor is the Parade of Sail! On Friday, August 18, the Tall Ships will showcase their finery in the magnificent Parade of Sail as mentioned above.
The Parade of Sail will be seen from numerous costal and beach vantage points around Falmouth Bay from St Anthony Head on The Roseland Peninsula right along the coast to Rosemullion Headland at the entrance to the Helford River.
Within Falmouth, the viewing areas include Pendennis Headland and Point, all along Cliff Road, Gyllyngvase, Castle and Swanpool beaches, as well as a little further along at Maenporth Beach and coastline.
Q: Where can I find out the latest information about the event in Falmouth?
A: https://www.falmouth.co.uk/tallships/ or follow the event’s social media accounts: Twitter: @tallships_race, Facebook: Tall Ships Falmouth.
There is an extensive Frequently Asked Questions document within the Tall Ships section on the www.falmouth.co.uk .
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