Nao Victoria open to public today

The magnificent replica of the Spanish ship Nao Victoria will be open for public viewing today and tomorrow to allow CNMI residents to take a glimpse of what Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century used to explore the world’s oceans and seas.

The public will be given a chance for a close encounter with the vessel today, from 5pm to 7pm, and tomorrow, from 10am to 2pm. The public is advised to bring a valid ID for security check at the gate.

The ship is a small version of a galleon, according to Dr. Andres Romero, the physician on board. He said the ship is 15 years old and has already undergone several repairs and maintenance.

While the ship is docked on Saipan, he said it would also get some repairs, such as with the sails of the ship.

Nao Victoria reached Saipan’s Charlie Dock at 1130am yesterday, an hour and a half late from the expected time.

Marianas Visitors Authority officials Ed Diaz, Frank Tudela and Chris Cabrera, together with Humanities Council director Paz Younis, led the welcoming of the crewmembers.

The Island Warriors dance troupe performed a cultural dance for the visiting ship.

Romero said the crew of the ship is composed of 16 men, mostly from Andalusia and Catalonia, Spain. Nao Victoria’s captains are Jose Luis Ugarte and Manolo Murube.

The vessel earlier made stops in Barbados, Colombia, Panama, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Marshall Islands.

The ship sailed from the Marshall Islands to Saipan for 14 days. The ship will leave on Monday and is expected to arrive in Tokyo, Japan on May 1,

The ship is heading to the Expo Aichi 2005 Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, which opened on March 25, 2005 and will run until Sept. 25. Spain will be participating in this world expo for the first time since it was not present at the Expo Osaka in 1970.

The Nao Victoria set sail from Seville, Spain on Oct. 12 last year. It is a full-scale replica of one of Ferdinand Magellan’s ships, and the only one of five in the squadron to complete the first circumnavigation of the globe.

Since he came on board last August 2004, Romero said they have encountered storms, big waves, and heavy rains but nothing major in the manner of a typhoon.

Nao Victoria captain Ugarte, 76, said he has been sailing since he was six years old and leading the ship has been a tremendous experience for him. He said the replica is heavy and cumbersome, just like a modern ship.

He said everywhere they go they are always received very well and for the remaining days they are here on the island, he and his crewmen will enjoy what the island is excellent for: beaches and island-style fun.

After the expo, the ship will sail through the Philippines, China Sea, Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.