Spanish Tall Ship Sebastian de Elcano Visits Pensacola, Open For Tours

April 3, 2019

UPDATE: Thursday tours were canceled due to weather.

The Spanish Royal Navy training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano is docked at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Allegheny Pier and open for tours through Thursday.

Tours are available Wednesday from 1:00-6:30 p.m. and Thursday 3:00-6:30 p.m. Visitors must use the back gate to access the base. The gate closes at 5 p.m. during each tour.

The ship’s visit to Pensacola is part of the vessel’s world cruise celebrating the 500th anniversary of Juan de Elcano and Ferdinand Magellan’s historic circumnavigation of the earth. The ship’s last visit to Pensacola was in 2015.

“We’re are excited and honored to have this historic vessel visit Pensacola and pull pierside to Naval Air Station Pensacola,” NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Timothy Kinsella Jr., said. “This air station has deep ties to the Spanish military, including the construction of Ft. San Carlos de Austria in 1698 and Ft. San Carlos de Barrancas in 1797. This magnificent ship is a reminder of our shared maritime and military heritage and it is our privilege to welcome them here as a partner nation in present and future endeavors.”

Juan Sebastian de Elcano Commanding Officer Capt. Ignacio Paz Garcia said Pensacola has been a favorite port visit for the training ship, evidenced by the vessel’s eight previous visits to the city.

“The previous reports from port visits highlighted how the crewmembers and midshipmen enjoyed this port,” he said. “This was because of the amazing and outstanding welcome and support from the people of Pensacola. We are delighted to have the opportunity to enjoy this city.”

The Juan Sebastian de Elcano, named after the Spanish explorer and captain of Magellan’s last exploratory fleet which set sail in 1519, is a 113-meter four-masted topsail vessel, which has travelled more than 2 million nautical miles since its construction in 1927.

The 91-year-old ship serves as a training vessel for future officers of the Spanish Navy. The 70 Midshipmen from the 421st Naval Cadre and the 151st Marines Cadre learn celestial navigation, meteorology and amphibious operations and naval security during the six-month training voyage.

Juan Sebastian de Elcano has visited Puerto Rico, Columbia and Mexico during its current cruise, with stops in Cuba, Portugal, Poland and Germany scheduled later this year.

Comments

2 Responses to “Spanish Tall Ship Sebastian de Elcano Visits Pensacola, Open For Tours”

  1. Ship lover on April 3rd, 2019 3:15 pm

    Is there a fee for the tour?

  2. Vulcanrider on April 3rd, 2019 6:37 am

    Beautiful ship, great crew. If you have the time, go visit her, it’s worth it!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News