Dar Młodzieży Sets Sail for the Equator
On 29th May 2023, Gdynia Maritime University's tall ship, Dar Młodzieży, set out from its home port in Gdynia on a voyage that will see it cover 12,500 nautical miles and cross the equator.
During a journey lasting almost six months with student trainees on board, Dar Młodzieży will cross the equator to mark the centenary of the same voyage taken by Lwów - the first ship to make the crossing while sailing under the Polish flag in 1923.
On board the white frigate are students of the GMU Faculty of Marine Engineering, the Western Pomeranian Maritime and Technical Education Centre in Szczecin, as well as National University "Odessa Maritime Academy".
"The main purpose of the trip is seafarer training, but we also want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the crossing of the equator by the Lwów, our University's training ship during the years 1923-1930. For the first time, we have students from Odessa on board the Dar. They are a group of 23 students who, due to the war, cannot do their training on the black sea" - commented HM The Rector, Professor Adam Weintrit.
At the time of writing, Dar Młodzieży is headed for the French port of Rouen, where it is due to arrive on 8th June and take part in the local maritime festival and the "L'Armada 2023" tall ships' races. En route, it will visit ports in Bremerhaven, Fredrikstad, Arendal, La Coruna, Lisbon, Cadiz and Cape Verde, and take part in other tall ships' races. During the following months, Dar Młodzieży will take on board students of the Faculty of Navigation who will also complete their seafarer training.
The ship will return to Gdynia on 11th November, in time to celebrate Independence Day.
