Visitor Numbers Exceed Expectations in Belfast

Posted on 15. Aug, 2009 by admin in Latest News

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People have continued to pour into the Belfast harbour area to visit the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge fleet with the city well on target to exceed their expectations on visitor numbers. While Thursday, the first official day of the event, was seen as a busy day with an estimated 140,000 people visiting the fleet, today has been even busier with over 160,000 thought to have been down to Queen’s Quay. Even Friday, which was a very wet day, managed to see over 100,000 people go down to the ships.

By midday today, walking along the quayside became more like a shuffle as the sunny weather brought the families out to visit the ships. An air display added to the excitement and an attempt on a world record number of pirates in one place unfortunately failed simply because insufficient pirates had registered. When the time came to count the pirates it appeared that at least the 1500 needed were present but as only 300 had registered, the record attempt failed.

For many of the crews, today was a sad day as they had to say goodbye to their new ship mates and go home. New crews arrived to take the vessels on to their next harbour and the captains and crews of the Tall Ships Races fleet prepared to go their separate ways after some 124 days of sailing together.

Tomorrow the fleet will start to undock at midday and make their way up the Belfast Lough to Fairway Buoy, just south of Carrickfergus, where HMS Mersey and LE Eithne will be anchored. The fleet will then salute HMS Mersey in their traditional way to pay respects and thanks to the city of Belfast, before continuing on their way north or south. A number of the vessels will be heading south because of the forecast weather conditions, although there will be those that chose to go north.

Further images are available from the Picture Gallery.

The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge is organised by Sail Training International with the American Sail Training Association.

With thanks to Freight forwarding agents to Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009