Amerigo Vespucci, classic Italian ship visits Phuket

The pride of the Italian Navy ‘Amerigo Vespucci’, often described as the “most beautiful ship in the world”, is now docked in Phuket in Thailand until Sunday and is open for the public to visit.

The magnificent vessel, which arrived in Phuket yesterday, is halfway through its second world tour, visiting 32 countries over two years. Its next stop will be Mumbai, India.

The Vespucci, last seen outside Italy in Honolulu 22 years ago during its first world tour, is manned by a crew of around 300, including cadets who perform tasks ranging from cleaning the ship to climbing the masts, securing sails, and manoeuvring the vessel from the bridge.

This is a unique opportunity to board and explore the Italian Navy’s training ship, a three-masted sailing vessel, launched on February 22, 1931.

The Amerigo Vespucci, the oldest ship in service in the Italian Navy, provides training for first-year cadets of the Naval Academy, students of the Military Naval School “F. Morosini,” other naval training institutes, and young members of sailing associations, like the Lega Navale, the Associazione Nazionale Marinai d’Italia and the Sail Training Association Italia.

Amerigo Vespucci is a sailing vessel equipped with an auxiliary electric engine. Its rigging includes a a foremast, main mast and mizzen mast.

It is equipped with yards and square sails, as well as a bowsprit that functions as a fourth mast.

The vessel also has fore-and-aft sails: jibs are rigged between the masts, and the spanker.

According to the vessel’s website, free access is available with a nominal reservation valid for the entire day during public visiting hours.

Comfortable shoes are recommended, but open-toed shoes and high heels are not permitted. Animals are also restricted, with only small dogs allowed if carried. Strollers and pushchairs are not allowed.