Capetonians have until Friday to go on board one of the world's tallest and fastest sailing ships belonging to the Argentinean Navy.

Called the Ara Libertad, the vessel is currently in Cape Town until 2 May for a six-day goodwill visit as a guest of the City of Cape Town and the SA Navy.

"Libertad is Spanish for 'freedom' - and the visit of this magnificent vessel coincides with South Africa's Freedom Day celebrations," said Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille, who will visit the vessel on 1 May.

Built in Rio Santiago in 1958, the Libertad was incorporated into the Argentinean navy as a training frigate in 1963.

It weighs 3 765 tons and measures almost 104 meters in length and 14.3 meters across the beam.

Her 27 sails span 2 700 meters squared of sail surface and her main mast is 52 meters tall.

The Libertad is the pride and joy of the Argentinean navy, said Captain Gustavo Díaz Durán, Military Attaché of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic.

"Since the Libertad maiden voyage in 1963, it has travelled over 800 000 nautical miles and visited 513 ports in 69 countries," said Captain Diaz Durán.

She established the world record for a trans-atlantic crossing between Canada and Ireland by sailing 2 059 nautical miles in 8.5 days, he said.

The commanding officer, Captain Juan José Iglesias, is a veteran of the Falklands War of 1982.

Under his command are 310 men and women including 26 officers, 90 midshipmen, 186 warrant and non-commissioned officers, and eight junior naval officers from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, India, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru and South Africa.

"This year, Sub-Lieutenant Thandeka Snail, 24, from the South African Navy will be the first black woman to participate in this world-renowned training course," said Captain Diaz Durán.

Cape Town is the first stop on the vessel's eight month around the world trip.

Libertad is currently berthed at Quay 2, V&A Waterfront, next to the Table Bay Hotel.

Members of the public will be able to visit the ship from 2pm to 6pm on 30 April, and again from 3pm to 5pm on 1 May.

As from 2 May, the frigate will continue on to another 16 ports before returning to Buenos Aires on 6 December.

The ports include Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles), Mumbai (India), Malaca (Malaysia), Manila (Philippines), Shanghai (China), Pusan (South Korea), Tokyo (Japan), Apra Harbour (Guam), Noumea New Caledonia (France), Sydney (Australia), Wellington (New Zealand), Papeete (Tahiti) and the Isla de Pascua (Chile).

Source: BuaNews

A British warship, the HMS Southampton, is expected to arrive in Cape Town on Monday for a visit on the final part of an eight-month deployment from the United Kingdom.

British vice-consul general Raziyah Johnston said the air-defence destroyer has operated around the Pacific, South America and the South Atlantic as the UK's "on call" warship in the area.

The warship has been based in the Falkland Islands for the past four months.

"She has conducted exercises with forces from other nations, including Peru, Chile, the United States, France and Argentina, as well as training with other British forces in the region," said Johnston.

The ship, which entered service in 1981, caters for 25 officers and 250 sailors.

As the vessel prepared to arrive in Cape Town, commanding officer Richard Morris said he was very pleased to bring the ship on its first visit to South Africa.

"Our visit is a sign of the importance that the UK government places on both the South Atlantic region, and the relationship between our two nations," said Morris.

The ship will be in Cape Town until November 12.

Source: Mail & Guardian Online

There was a hive of naval activity at Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Warterfront during the weekend of 1 and 2 September 2007. Six Nato warships visited South Africa for a five day stay as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1). SNMG1 is one of four joint NATO maritime task forces.

The vessels are:

• A1442 - FGS Spessart (Germany)
• F805 - HNLMS Evertsen (Netherlands)
• F355 - Olfert Fischer (Danmark)
• CG60 - USS Normandy (USA)
• F331 - NRP Alvares Cabral(Portugal)
• FFH333 - HMCS Toronto (Canada)

The USS Normandy and the HMCS Toronto moored at the V & A Waterfront, seen here on September 1 - Image: Louis Vosloo

The Olfert Fischer next to the NRP Alavres Cabral moored at the V & A Waterfront, seen here on September 1 - Image: Louis Vosloo

Aviation participation was dissappointing, with only one naval helicopter, that of a Lynx Mk 95 on the Alvares Cabral.

In the absence of the official unveiling of thenew South African Super Lynx,the South African public was treated to a glimpse of what is to come when the SAAFs equivalent is officially introduced in a few weeks time.

The Super Lynx Mk 95 displayed on the Alvares Cabral has been around for some time. This example, with the serial number 19204, (constructor's number 376, ex ZH582) was delivered to the Esquadrilha de Helicopteros da Marinha in November 1993 - Image: Louis Vosloo

The Super Lynx - Image: Louis Vosloo

The Super Lynx - Image: Louis Vosloo

So from the Cape Town Aviation enthusiasts its a big obrigado to the Portuguese Navy for showing off their Lynx!

Source: airpic.co.za

HNLMS Evertsen (The Netherlands), USS Normandy (Flagship, United States), HMCS Toronto (Canada), HDMS Olfert Fischer (Denmark) and NRP Alvares Cabral (Portugal) - Image: Stuart Soden (www.flightzone.co.za and www.avcom.co.za)

The Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97) arrived in Cape Town yesterday and is moored at the V&A Waterfront until 21 November when she will depart for Simons Town.

On board was Lynx HAS.3S XZ229 (EB/411) from 815 Sqn, Edinburgh Flt, RN, Yeovilton. Incidentally, this Lynx is reputed to be the second oldest Lynx in RN service, with over 30 years service. There is only 300 hours left on the airframe and so it will, in all likelihood, be retired next year.

HMS Edinburgh arrived in Cape Town this morning and will be staying for a week before conducting a passage exercise with SAS Amatola on the 21st November, which will include flying the RN Lynx helicopter.