Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta will go ahead without the marina
Organisers of the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta have confirmed that the event will go ahead as planned even though the marina plans will now be delayed. Whilst this will make accommodating the Tall Ships difficult, A&P and the organisers are working together to develop contingency plans that will support the event. The berthing plans based around using the new marina facilities will revert to use of the existing wharfs of Queens and Duchy, plus additional pontoon berths.
Mike Reynolds, Operations Director at A&P Falmouth said: “A&P has been asked by the MFA to prepare an environmental statement, which means that there will be a delay to the start of work on the Marina. At the moment we are not sure how long that delay will be, but we will progress our plans as soon as we are permitted to do so. However, our commitment to the Tall Ships race is as strong as ever and we will ensure that this delay has minimal impact.”
John Hick, Chairman of the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, Falmouth, added; “We are confident these new arrangements will meet the expectations of the vessels, visitors and the race organisers. We, the local Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta committee and A & P Ltd, Falmouth will make the September event an outstanding success the town and county thoroughly deserve, although the delay in the marina is a setback”.
Samantha Groom, Tourism Officer, Carrick District Council confirmed; “18 vessels. including 10 of the large square-rigged Class A ships have already signed up for the regatta. These vessels promise to provide a magnificent spectacle and with other activities in the town starting to take shape, including a Festival Village and four day programme of entertainment, the regatta promises to be the major event for Cornwall in 2008”.
The Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, which will start in Falmouth (10-13 September) with a race to Ilhavo in Portugal (20-23 September) and then on to Funchal in Madeira (2-5 October) where the fleet will form part of the city’s 500th anniversary celebrations.
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