On the morning of Saturday, February 12th the Spanish Navy training ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano" sailed from the port of Cadiz to start her 94th Training Cruise.
During the next 5 months, the 73 midshipmen belonging to the 424th promotion of the Navy General Corps and the 154th promotion of the Marine Corps, will consolidate and expand their technical and seafaring knowledge, while studying the scheduled subject of the second semester of the third year of their career. They will call at 12 ports in 8 different countries, covering some 14,000 nautical miles.
The farewell ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, and the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy (AJEMA), Admiral General Antonio Martorell Lacave. There were also other authorities invited like the Mayor of Cadiz, the Sub-delegate of the Government and the President of the Port Authority, among others.
Upon his arrival and after greeting the civilian and military authorities, the AJEMA was welcomed with honors by the Fleet Commander on board the training ship. He then proceeded to address the crew and midshipmen, and later embarked on the offshore patrol vessel ‘Vigía’ to witness the departure.
After casting off, the hymn ‘Salve Marinera’ was interpreted by the crew of the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ along with the Marine Corps’ Music Band.
Finally, and following a long-lasting tradition, the OPV ‘Vigía’ and the Hydrographic Ship ‘Malaspina’ sailed past the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ to bid her farewell.