SAIL news, 19 August 2005

Man dies after fall

A 31-year-old Rotterdam man died on Thursday evening during the SAIL maritime event. He lost his footing while carrying a plate of food onto a boat near IJ-plein. He hit his head on the side of the boat and disappeared under the water. His girlfriend and a police officer jumped in to rescue him but they could not find him. Later divers brought him ashore and resuscitated him. But the man died later in hospital.

400,000 spectators on Day 2

The second day of the nautical festival attracted 400,000 people, according to a police estimate. The organisers of the event expect a total of 2.5 million people to come to the Amsterdam harbour area over the six-day event.

World’s biggest Tall Ship comes to Amsterdam

One of the star attractions of SAIL arrives in Amsterdam on Friday. Sedov, the largest traditional sailing ship in the world, is due to arrive at IJ harbour at 2pm. It will be accompanied by steamships adorned with floral decorations. The Russian sailing ship is 111.5-metres long and has four masts. It was built in Germany in 1921 to transport cargo from South America and Australia to German ports. It came into Russian hands after the Second World War.

Crews march through the city

The crews of the 21 Tall Ships moored in Amsterdam march in full dress uniform through Amsterdam at 2pm. The parade begins at Central Station and proceeds to the naval barracks via the Stopera in Waterlooplein.

Subject: Dutch news