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Great interest in Defence during Sail
25 August 2010, 9.53 hrs
Along with approximately 50 tall ships and thousands of other smaller craft, ships from the Royal Netherlands Navy took part in Sail 2010 in Amsterdam from 19-22 August. Thousands of people took a peek into the navy ships during the event.
During Sail 2010, Amsterdam was dominated by everything that floats. The nautical event is known primarily for the historic tall ships, but the Defence organisation also contributed to the success of this large-scale event. The frigate HNLMS Tromp, the minehunter HNLMS Middelburg, and the submarine HNLMS Walrus attracted many interested visitors.
The navy also conducted several demonstrations in the waters north of Java Island. A joint action with the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) drew many spectators. During the demonstration, a Lynx helicopter from the Defence Helicopter Command and a rescue boat from the KNRM conducted a joint action to extract a drowning person from the water.
In the days preceding the nautical event, navy divers inspected the canal bed and the shoreline of the canal leading to Amsterdam in search of any obstacles that could present a hazard to the ships. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee was on duty during Sail to maintain public order and security. Their primary focus was on the military personnel, including foreign personnel, and border control, given the international nature of the Sail fleet.
The ties between Amsterdam and the navy go back centuries. In the past, many navy ships sailed from Amsterdam to distant destinations and the Amsterdam Naval Barracks, which are still in use, show that the relationship is alive and well. Sail is a maritime event that brings past, present and future together.
Most of the ships left Amsterdam today during the Sail-out.
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