The training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano, which is carrying the Princess of Asturias, Leonor de Borbón, docked today at 9:00 a.m. at the Port of Las Palmas. Following her visit to the island of Tenerife last weekend, the Ambassador or Navigator, as this renowned sailing vessel is referred to, will remain in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria until Thursday, January 23, as part of its XCVII Instruction Cruise. Among the 76 midshipmen on board, the notable presence of Princess Leonor is highlighted, participating in this journey as part of her military education.
The Captain of the ship and Commander, Luis Carreras-Presa do Campo, emphasised the significance of the stopover at the Port of Las Palmas, marking the 60th visit to this facility. “We are delighted; it is always a pleasure to arrive at this stunning city, one of the ports that ranks amongst the most frequented by ships.” Carreras-Presa do Campo noted that navigating through the Archipelago is the “natural route” towards the American continent, after the ship docked in the port, an operation carried out with some challenge.
In addition to touring the BAM (Maritime Action Vessels) of the Spanish Navy located at the Las Palmas Arsenal, both the ship’s crew and the midshipmen will engage in logistical activities during their stay in the city, while also having time to relax. “We always strive to organise social, cultural, professional, or military visits, and we encourage them to unwind, enjoy the city, its cuisine, and its beaches, as well as to explore the sites they wish to see,” stated the ship’s commander.
On the subject of the Princess of Asturias’s presence, the Captain Luis Carreras-Presa do Campo pointed out that the ship follows routines based on lessons taken from previous years.
“We are all very united”
One of his colleagues, first midshipman Julio Rubio Vecino, was also cautious when discussing her. “A brigade of midshipmen is a collective of individuals in which we are all very united. Embarking on this ship and having this experience is incredibly significant for us. What it offers is to strengthen bonds, not just as friends or companions, but as family.”
Both he and first midshipman Jorge Sánchez Cuadros expressed pride in being part of this Instruction Cruise. “We take pride and happiness in being able to undertake this journey in the second semester of our third training course as officers. It’s a remarkable chance to learn sailing. We are confident that it will benefit us, both personally and in our military education.”
A painting of the Virgin of Carmen de La Isleta, bracelets and keyrings
Present at the formal reception were, in addition to the ship’s commander, the Admiral Commander of the Naval Command, Santiago de Colsa, and the Chief of Staff of the Naval Command Canary Islands, Captain Ricardo López Nieto; who welcomed on board the official chronicler of the city, Juan José Laforet, along with six members of the commission responsible for the Canonical coronation of the Virgin of Carmen de La Isleta, led by Jose Falcon.
During the meeting, the commission members presented a painting created by Joshua Hernandez, an artist from La Orotava and the creator of the poster for the religious event scheduled for May 3 at the Arsenal. “They presented the painting to be placed in the ship’s chapel during the voyage,” Laforet explained. Additionally, they were given cards, bracelets, and keyrings featuring the image of the Virgin “for the entire crew.”
The city’s chronicler detailed the significance of the religious ceremony and what the Virgin of Carmen represents, not just for the city, but for the entire island. “In return, the father of the ship gifted them a painting of the ‘Galeona’, the Virgin of the Rosary, with which they departed from Cádiz.” According to the city’s chronicler, upon leaving the ship, “the Commander also presented them with a medal commemorating the journey.”
Although the princess was not at the reception, the six members of the commission advocating for the canonical coronation presented a box containing a jewel “to be sent to Princess Leonor.” Following the event, a luncheon was held with the authorities in the Commander’s Chamber, aboard the vessel.
Wednesday, open day
The anticipation to capture ‘the image’ of the Princess of Asturias was not only felt by the media present, but also by curious individuals who flocked to the Las Palmas Arsenal, despite public visits commencing tomorrow, Wednesday, at 3:00 p.m. This was exemplified by Jose Antonio Carou, a visitor and retired Marine Corps colonel, who also experienced six months aboard ‘Elcano’ in 1976. “It was a strenuous journey; we encountered a miracle,” he remarks. “We coincided with a regatta leaving Bermuda for New York, and an Argentine vessel collided with us. The ship creaked for three seconds, several fell overboard, and one person sustained injuries.” Despite the incident, José Antonio recants those years with nostalgia.
Today, he came to observe closely that historic ship on which he sailed. The presence of Princess Leonor on this occasion, he states, makes it special. “I have never witnessed such extensive security measures at the Arsenal,” he notes, adding that he would like to “take a photograph” with her, but he believes it will be challenging if as many people show up as did in Tenerife. “Standing in line does not guarantee a picture,” he remarks with a slight grin.
This expected high turnout follows its stop in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The ship’s Commander Luis Carreras-Presa do Campo highlighted that there were nearly 6,000 visitors (5,800). “Elcano always generates considerable anticipation in all the cities it visits.”
The learning phase begins
The training ship’s crew will progress through multiple stages in their education. “We are currently completing the adaptation phase that started in Cádiz and which we wrapped up with the stop in the two Canary ports.” Beginning next Thursday, January 23, when the ship makes the ‘ocean jump’ (the 22-day continuous journey to San Salvador de Bahía), the 76 midshipmen will enter the learning phase. “This will mark the first time they will be sailing for several weeks and where they will adapt to life at sea.” They will do so accompanied by the trade winds “which will facilitate smooth sailing most of the time.”
The final training stage, referred to as the responsibility phase, will commence on March 23, during which the midshipmen shall have amassed “a wealth of experiences, both from their port visits and from activities at sea,” leading up to the completion of their six-month crossing.