The
KRI Dewaruci, the only Tall Mast Ship owned and operated by the Indonesian Navy spent two nights in port at Kwaj last week. They are at the beginning of their 277 day circumnavigation of the world. The Dewaruci set off from Surabaya, East Java on January 15th, and will call on a total of 21 ports before it finally returns to it's base on October 16th. (Their ports-of-call are at the end of this post). They are joining the United States in "
Operation Sail 2012".
We were allowed to tour the boat while they were in port, which was an added bonus! Kwaj also sponsored a soccer tournament between the Dewaruci crew and USAKA (US Army Kwajalein Atoll) folks. On their last night in port Kwaj residents hosted a potluck dinner for the crew at Emon Beach. The crew total was 79 young, polite men who ended the evening by showing us a few traditional Indonesian dances.
This is the Dewaruci's last voyage - after this trip the ship will be decommissioned and a new Tall Ship will take it's place. Now for some photos of their vessel!
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| I wondered if they fly the pirate flag while they're under sail! That seems a little risky to me! |
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| The amount of ropes on this sailing vessel was incredible... |
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| The woodwork was beautiful, and in fairly good condition given the age of the ship and the elements that it is constantly exposed to! |
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| The big-wigs meeting room |
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| Pretty incredible - this table was built specifically for this spot, in this room. Notice the base of the left leg? |
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| Captain's Mess Hall |
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| It was a BIG boat, but still seemed like pretty small quarters for 79 men! |
Dewaruci Ports of Call:
Surabaya – Jayapura, Jayapura – Kwajalein (RMI), Kwajalein– Honolulu (USA), Honolulu – San Diego (USA), San Diego – Manzanillo (Mexico),Manzanilli – Panama, Panama – New Orleans (USA), New Orleans – Miami (USA),Miami – Charleston (USA), Charleston – New York (USA), New York – Norfolk(USA), Norfolk – Baltimore (USA), Baltimore – Boston (USA), Boston – St. John(Canada), St. John – Porto (Portugal), Porto – Cadiz (Spain), Cadiz – Malta, Malta –Port Said (Egypt), Port Said – Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Jeddah – Salalah (Oman), Salalah– Colombo (Srilanka), Colombo – Belawan (Indonesia), Belawan – Jakarta, Jakarta –Surabaya.
4 comments:
Thanks - what a nice adventure right in your own hometown. Sort of neat isn't being on an island that gets you in touch with all sort of experiences. I noticed they are headed to San Diego - maybe your folks can go look too - then you can think of each other walking on the same deck! S
Woweee! WHAT a SHIP, and you got such great pictures of her!! Glad you have discovered a way to post them for all of us landlubbers to enjoy!
I remember stumbling on the parade of tall ships a few years ago when we stayed a few nights on Coronado - I was so excited to see them come into the harbor, and then watch the gun fights over the next couple of days. I see they are headed for SD soon - I'll have to check the harbor schedule. They are so impressive when all the sails are out and flowing in the wind. How neat for you!
It looks like they will be in San Diego from 12-15 March for 3 days.
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