The “most beautiful ship in the world” is docked in Honolulu, and its crew is welcoming residents to visit. The Amerigo Vespucci, a 93-year-old sailing ship the Italian navy uses as a training vessel for first-year cadets at its naval academy, arrived Thursday at Honolulu Harbor’s Pier 9 by Aloha Tower. It’s the latest stop in a two-year world tour for the historic tall ship, following a port call in Los Angeles.
It’s the Vespucci’s second time in Hawaii, having stopped here in 2002 during a world tour. Commanding officer Capt. Giuseppe Lai said it is “very exciting” to return to Honolulu 22 years after its last visit.
“The tour actually started last year, July 1, in Genoa. So after transiting the Atlantic Ocean and circumnavigating South America, we are now heading to Asia,” he said. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi stood on the pier to welcome the Vespucci and its crew as they arrived.
“We’re just so honored to have it come to Hawaii, and for me, given my Italian heritage, this is just something really extra special,” Blangiardi said. The three-masted ship is nearly 330 feet long and more than 177 feet tall. Its crew labors tirelessly to keep the venerable vessel ship-shape and looking brand new.
The current crew is made up of 264 military service members. The Vespucci got its label of the “most beautiful ship” from an exchange on July 12, 1962, when the U.S.
Navy aircraft carrier USS Independence sailed past the full-rigged ship and flashed a li.