With a mast height of 36 metres and an overall length of 50 meters, the historic ship, Oosterschelde, is an elegant sight.
She is, undoubtedly, a wonder to look at. She has spacious saloon with varnished wood, shining brass, piano bar and a wood burning stove.
Moreover, Oosterschelde is recognised as a monument of great historical and cultural value.
She sailed into the Fiji waters for the first time last week and continued its mission to train 200 young environmentalists in countries it docks at.
The program is part of the Darwin 200 project, a two-year planetary conservation mission on board Oosterschelde.
The expedition sailed from Plymouth Harbour, UK in August 2023, retracing Charles Darwin’s most famous maritime voyage.
Team leader Rolf Schreuder said this vessel was built as a freighter for the Rotterdam-based shipping company HAAS.
The ship is self-sufficient and financially independent. She sails all over the world and can be used for presentation and promotional activities.
Up to 120 people can step on board for a day sail or a reception. In addition to this, the Oosterschelde makes adventurous voyages all over the world.
According to www.dutchtallship.com, since its restoration the Oosterschelde made two around-the-world voyages and visited over 50 countries on five continents.
The ship sailed in tropical areas, but also made several polar expeditions to Spitsbergen, Antarctica and South Georgia.
“The three-masted topsail schooner Oosterschelde is the last remaining representative of the large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag at the beginning of the 20th century,” darwin200.com says.
“As the largest restored Dutch sailing ship the Oosterschelde is a monument for Dutch shipbuilding and maritime navigation under sail.”