Indonesia's Tall Ship Dewaruci arrives Miami - almost half way around
by Nancy Knudsen on 21 May 2012
Dewaruci crew strut their stuff SW
If you love sailing at all you'd have to love this tall ship. After sailing from New Orleans for approximately 851nm on her latest leg, Indonesia's proud Tall Ship Dewaruci reached Miami Harbor at the end of April putting her almost half way through her planned circumnavigation.
The Dewaruci, a class A barquentine made by H.C. Stolcken Soch, Germany, in 1953, is the only tall masted ship owned and operated by the Indonesian Navy, serving as a training vessel for cadets to master navigational skills, especially astronomical sail and advanced Navy operational mastery of the sea, such as national defense and open sea battle.
Dewaruci’s tallest masts are 35.87 m. and 32.5 m. tall. The ship is 56.3 meters long, and 9.5 meters wide, weighing 874 DWT.
On January 15, the majestic Navy Training tall ship began her nine-month round the world voyage from Surabaya, East Java. Besides serving as a training vessel for cadets to practice astronomical navigation, the ship will also join Operation Sail 2012 in the USA. Moreover, throughout this journey the ship and crew will promote 'Wonderful Indonesia' through cultural performances, parades, and meet the locals.
Her intention was to sail around the world in 277 days, calling on a total 21 American, European, African, and Asian ports and to finally return to her base on October 16, 2012.
Arriving in Miami the ship was in fact three days ahead of schedule from the estimated 8 days’ trip due to its speed of 7 to 8 knot daily.
Commander of the Tall Ship Dewaruci, Navy Colonel Haris Bima Bayusetio, accompanied by Navy Major Osben Alibos Naibaho received a warm welcome from the city commissioner of Miami. Both parties exchanged souvenirs in front of the line up crew and cadets who were dressed in traditional Indonesian costume.
On Sunday, 29 April 2012, a simple cocktail party was held at the J Pier of Miami Harbor which was attended by the Indonesian communities residing in Miami, Florida and nearby areas. Present at the cocktail party were Indonesian Naval Defense Attaché for the United States, Navy Colonel Anwar Saadi, the Indonesia Consulate General of Houston, Al Busro Basnur, and hundreds of Indonesian.
At ports of call, Dewaruci has been setting up 'Open Ship', offering a rare opportunity for locals to step aboard and observe this legendary ship. The crew also performs marching bands and Indonesian traditional art performances, such as the Reog Ponorogo, Rampak Kendang, and other traditional dances.
From now on, her route, including Operation Sail 2012, which will culminate in the Parade of Ships on the Hudson River and in New York harbor on July 4, Independence Day, is planned as:
Charleston (USA), Charleston – New York (USA), New York – Norfolk(USA), Norfolk – Baltimore (USA), Baltimore – Boston (USA), Boston – St. John(Canada), St. John – Porto (Portugal), Porto – Cadiz (Spain), Cadiz – Malta, Malta –Port Said (Egypt), Port Said – Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Jeddah – Salalah (Oman), Salalah– Colombo (Srilanka), Colombo – Belawan (Indonesia), Belawan – Jakarta, and Jakarta –Surabaya.
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