Three-masted tall ship to welcome visitors

A striking three-masted tall ship is set to provide a spectacle in Douglas Bay this weekend.

The Polish sail-training vessel, Dar Młodzieży, will be open for a time for people to visit on both Saturday and Sunday.

Built in 1981 and owned by Gdynia Maritime University, the ship stands 205ft (62.5m) high and has a hull length of 311ft (94.8m).

Sailing with 110 sea cadets on board, along with 23 full-time crew, the vessel arrived in Manx waters on Wednesday, anchoring off Peel, before making its way to Ramsey, from where it is due to sail to Douglas on Friday morning.

The vessel will be open for the public to visit between 09:00 BST and 12:30 and 15:30 and 16:30 on both Saturday and Sunday.

During the stay in Manx waters, the cadets will be taken on a tour of the island, and arrangements are being made for a football match between the vessel's team and a local side.

The three-masted B-95 frigate, which was the first of its kind built in a Polish shipyard, has visited the island on four occasions in the past, the last being in 2005.

Departing on Monday morning, the ship will make its way to Spain before setting sail for the United States to take part in the maritime celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

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