Monday, April 29, 2013

Arrival of the Mexican Tall Ship ARM Cuauhtemoc

 
The Mexican Sail Training Ship, Armada de Republic de Mexico (BE-01) Cuauhtémoc arrived this morning in the rain. Despite the wetness, all hands were bringing their warmth with singing from the yardarms. 
¡ Bienvenidos a Norfolk, oficiales y tripulación!
 
Main Characteristics :

Name and numeral:ARM Cuauhtémoc BE-01.
Built in:
Celaya Shipyard, S.A., Bilbao, Spain.
Commissioned:
July 29, 1982.
Displacement:
1,800 ton
Maximum Length (bowsprit included):
90.5 m
Length at the water line:
67.22 m
Maximum Beam:
12.0 m
Maximum Depth:
7.4 m
Draft:
5.4 m
Auxiliary Propulsion:
One 1,125 hp engine
Main Motor generator:
Three of 260 kW.
Emergency Motor generator:
One of 37 kW.
Fuel Capacity:
220 ton
Water Capacity:
110 ton
Officer and Crew Berthing:
186 members
Midshipmen and/or Cadets Berthing:
90 members
Food Autonomy:
45 days.

 
The crew of the Cuauhtemoc Tall ship formulated the design of a coat of arms, which is the emblem of the ship. Such coat of arms is made up in the following way: the body of the emblem is composed of two concentric circles: the outer one resembles a rope of abaca representing the running rigging, main element of the crew in the tasks of letting out and fasting the rig. The inner circle divides in a concentric way the total circumference of the body.
The center of these circles have in their centre the silhouette of the Cuauhtémoc Tall Ship on its port side and with all the sails hoisted, sailing toward the west, propelled by the wind, situation that represents its first trip in order to join its homeland.
There are two inscriptions in the ring formed by the two circles: one in the upper part that says: “Armada de Mexico” our noble institution and by nature mother of the tall ship, and another on the lower part that says; “Buque Escuela Cuauhtemoc” (Cuauhtemoc Tall Ship), the official name of the ship. On the east side, the same ring has the figure of the God of the Wind, Ehecatl (in the Aztec mythology), who drives the ship towards the west with his breath.
On the west side, appears the sun of the vesper crepuscule; on the north side, mixed with the inscription, the sidereal asters that make possible to constantly know their position.
Finally, on the upper part of the body, the eagle of the National Flag, that reminds the origin of the tall ship and its crew.
 
From  Festevents   Website:
 
On Monday, April 29, 2013 the Mexican Navy training vessel the ARM CUAUHTEMOC is scheduled to arrive at approximately 10am in Downtown Norfolk, docking at Otter Berth next to Waterside. Making it's only US port call on Norfolk, the ARM CUAUHTEMOC returns to the Port of Hampton Roads after its participation last year at OpSail 2012 Virginia. The ship will depart on Thursday, May 2, 2013.Ship tours are free and open to the public.

 ARM CUAUHTEMOC Ship Tour Times:

  •  Monday, April 29: 3:00pm - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, April 30: 1:00pm - 6:00pm (Please see paragraph below for April 30th)
  •  Wednesday, May 1: 1:00pm - 7:30pm
 The crew of ARM CUAUHTEMOC will be celebrating Children's Day (el Dia del Niño) Tuesday, April 30 during the public visit hours on board by distributing candy treats to visiting children.

 In Mexico, April 30th is Children's Day, and celebrated with fun activities, gifts and special events. On this day adults are reminded of the importance of childhood and how children teach all of us how joyful and simple life can be.

The ARM CUAUHTEMOC commissioned under the Mexican Navy, sails with 55 officers, 74 cadets and 120 enlisted crew members. Launched in July 1982, the vessel is 270 ft with her homeport in Acapulco, Mexico. The CUAUHTEMOC serves Mexico as the training vessel for the Mexican Navy, a role she has fulfilled for more than twenty years. She participates in worldwide tall ship events while teaching the essential elements of seamanship and navigation, taking more than one hundred cadets to sea for each of its cruises. The program helps develop individual leadership skills and teambuilding skills while at sea.
Norfolk will be the only US port call for the ARM CUAUHTEMOC during its 2013 tour, arriving from Havana, Cuba and after calling on Norfolk, sailing to Bordeaux, France.
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The first Cuauhtemoc

USS Harrison (DD-573) was sold as-is to Mexico 19 Aug 1970. She served in the Mexican Navy as BAM Cuauhtemoc (E-01), named after Cuauhtémoc (c.1502–1525), the last Aztec emperor of the Mexica. She was taken out of service in 1982.


 More photos in my Facebook Album
 
*Updates to follow this week.