The Italian navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci is docked in the Old Port Montreal during its North American tour. Since it was built in 1931, the Amerigo Vespucci has completed 87 training cruises around the world, each averaging three months. This most recent sailing was from Italy to cross the Atlantic. Captain Nicasio Falica explains they travel the old-fashioned way. “The way that ships at that time did. So we hunted favourable winds,” Falica said. He says 85 per cent of their Atlantic crossing was under sail, with cadets learning the ropes on this full-rigged ship with three vertical masts. Cadets learn to be sailors and eventually naval officers, Falica explained. “At the moment, we are 406 people on board. So we have the crew of Amerigo Vespucci and naval cadets from the naval academy.” Docked next to Le Grand Quai at 22 de la Commune West in the Old Port, the 95-year old tall ship is drawing a crowd. Besides training, the mission includes naval diplomacy and the captain is inviting the public to tour the ship. “The public allows us to keep in touch and transmit what we do, what it represents … and we are very happy to do it, every port visit,”Falica said. The ship is open for free visits on a first-come, first-served basis on Aug. 1 and 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. After that, the Amerigo Vespucci will set sail for the old country on Aug. 3.
