The Legendary Statsraad Lehmkuhl Returns to Norfolk, Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Jason Nichols, [email protected]
The Legendary Statsraad Lehmkuhl Returns to Norfolk, Virginia
The commanding Statsraad Lehmkuhl will make its only United States visit Thursday, November 9, 2017 in downtown Norfolk at Otter Berth in between Town Point Park and the Waterside District.
Norfolk, VA, (October 10, 2017) – Downtown Norfolk, Virginia welcomes the over-a-century-old majestic tall sailing ship, HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl to its’ harbor for the thirteenth occasion. The ship is scheduled for a week-long stay and will provide public educational tours on board. Norfolk, Virginia is the only port of call in the United States for the Statsraad Lehmkuhl.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a three-masted steel barque sailing training vessel. She was built in 1914 by Johann C. Tecklenberg AG in Bremerhaven-Geestemünde, Germany as a training ship for the German merchant marine. After World War I, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl was taken by England, and as of 1923, has since sailed under the Norwegian flag.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl is currently sailed by the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy’s first-year cadets who participate in leadership and team-building training. While on board, the cadets work together as a team to overcome the timeless challenges and dangers of travelling the seas by sail without modern technology.
“The best platform for the cadets to learn is one where they must work together on a low-tech ship without the benefit of high-tech navigation tools,” says André Wahlberg, PO2, of the Norwegian Navy. Sailing on the Statsraad Lehmkuhl has been part of the basic training program since 2002.
During their time in Norfolk, the seventy cadets will visit the NATO headquarters and Naval Station Norfolk for training, as well as a trip to the United States Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia for further education.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl will be open for guided educational tours on Saturday & Sunday, November 11 & 12, 2017 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.
THE FACTS
• Thursday, November 9, at approximately 10:00 AM: The Statsraad Lehmkuhl arrives at Otter Berth, in Norfolk, VA.
• Saturday, November 11 & Sunday, November 12, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM: Public visitation and guided tours will be conducted.
• Monday, November 13 -Thursday, November 16: The cadets on board will be training at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, VA.
• Thursday, November 16, at approximately 3:00 PM: Statsraad Lehmkuhl departs.
You can find the HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl on Facebook as they sail into Norfolk by searching for Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl.
Arrival, departure and guided tour times are approximate and are subject to change due to any possible inclement weather.
Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. based in Norfolk, Virginia, is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating the most dynamic urban waterfront community in America through innovative programming and imaginative uses of its historic waterfront spaces. An extensive ten-month schedule of diverse outdoor cultural events, festivals, concerts, entertainment, holiday programs, tall ship visits, sports and recreation are presented in two popular and welcoming waterfront environments; Town Point Park located in downtown Norfolk on the banks of the Elizabeth River and Ocean View Beach Park situated on the shore line of the Chesapeake Bay. Norfolk Festevents has served as the City of Norfolk’s official event marketing agency since the city’s downtown waterfront revitalization initiatives began in 1982. The organization has garnered international acclaim for its advocacy for public access to waterfronts, outstanding quality programming and development of public spaces, transforming Norfolk into one of the most progressive, fun and livable waterfront communities in the country. Residents, workers, and visitors to Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region are invited to experience all the fun and excitement of the 2017 season!