WORLD’S LARGEST SAIL TRAINING SHIP HEADING FOR THE HAVEN

The world’s largest sail training ship, which is due in Pembrokeshire waters later this month, has reached the port of Penzance, her last call before she arrives at Milford Docks.

The Russian-owned four-masted barque Sedov has been anchored off the Cornish port as she is too big to enter the dock, while the crew and visitors are being ferried to and from the shore by small craft.

The 117-metre, 3,500 ton Sedov, with her 60-strong Russian crew and 100 cadets, is due in Milford Dock on 16 April, but is so large that she will be unable to turn around in the dock, and will have to be towed out stern-first when she leaves three days later.

Sedov is due to leave Penzance on April 4 bound for Milford Haven for the visit, arranged by the West-Wales based charity Tall Ships (Wales) Trust - which helps youngsters in Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire experience tall ships sailing on vessels all round the world - and supported by Milford Haven Port Authority.

Originally built in Kiel, Germany in 1921 as a pure cargo ship, Sedov was later re-fitted to accommodate cadets as well as cargo, and normally sailed on the Australia run.

At the outbreak of World War II, she was requisitioned by the German Navy and used to train officer cadets, sailing in the Baltic throughout the war without suffering any damage. After Germany's defeat she was requisitioned by the Soviet Navy and used again to train officer cadets.

She has regularly taken part in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race - although not in 1991 when the Race started from Milford Haven.

A number of berths are available on board at £685 a ticket for anyone aged over 16 when she leaves Milford Haven on 19 April for a round-Britain voyage to Hamburg, arriving on May 6.

For further information about opportunities to join Sedov, contact David Grainger, Chairman of the Tall Ships (Wales) Trust on 01646 683061 or email DHGrainger@aol.com.

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