As part of the celebrations for the SAIL Amsterdam event, the Embassy of Uruguay celebrated the arrival of Capitán Miranda training ship who made an official stopover in the Port of Amsterdam, between August 20 and 24.
SAIL Amsterdam is one of the world’s most iconic nautical events, held every five years at the famous Port of Amsterdam. In its 2025 edition, the official participation of Uruguay with Capitán Miranda training ship, marked at the same time the celebrations for the Bicentennial of the Independence of the Republic.
More than 1,000 vessels gathered in the Dutch capital, including historic sailing ships, training ships from many countries, military frigates, and traditional Dutch vessels. It was the biggest navy meeting at sea, 3 M of visitors over those five days gave the set to the great party at sea and land. Fireworks and parties on board at night, long queues of people to visit many of ships offering guide tours during day time, restaurants, musical parades on the long side of the port of Amsterdam all day long. A great multidimension memorable party.
This event celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sail Amsterdam, as well as the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam, making it one of the largest cultural and tourist events in Europe.
Captain Miranda participated in the opening parade alongside historic and modern vessels from the world. The crew waved from the deck with Uruguayan flags and traditional music, and was greeted with the national anthem. During the inaugural parade (SAIL-In Parade), thousands of boats escorted the tall ships into port.
The Dutch television broadcast of the parade reached more than one million viewers in the Netherlands, renowned for its maritime culture.
The Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. Dr Alvaro Gonzalez Otero, together with the ship’s commander, Captain Andrés Debali, participated in the Official Reception aboard the Royal Netherlands Navy ship on Wednesday, August 20, and in the Captains’ Dinner, held at the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam on Thursday, August 21.
The Embassy co-organized with Captain Miranda crew on Saturday, August 23, as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations in the Netherlands, a cocktail party aboard the ship, attended by ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Spain, the United States, Cameroon, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, Algeria, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Romania, Rwanda, Curaçao, Dutch authorities, Sail Amsterdam authorities, businesspeople, and members of the Uruguayan community.
H.E. Mr Alvaro Gonzalez Otero gave a brief welcome speech, highlighting the symbolism of the ship as a traveling maritime ambassador, which helps to spread the international principles that are part of Uruguay foreign policy, its culture, and the defense of international peace in a complex international scenario.
Ambassador González Otero also shared a personal memory connected to Uruguay’s iconic tall ship, Capitán Miranda. As a young man, he recalled visiting his uncle who once served as a ship’s official. Later, during his diplomatic career, he had the honor of welcoming the Capitán Miranda on four separate occasions—first while serving in Baltimore, USA, then in Brazil, and more recently during its last two visits to the Netherlands—an experience that held personal significance.
During the event, the ship’s commander, Captain Andrés Debali, recounted the history of the Capitán Miranda. Ordered in Spain in 1930, the vessel began her career as a cargo ship and was officially delivered to the Uruguayan Navy on 21 November of that year. She was named after Captain Francisco Miranda (1868–1925), a distinguished Uruguayan hydrographer who served as a cabinet officer, war secretary, and later as a professor of marine geography at the Naval Academy of Uruguay.
For nearly five decades, the Capitán Miranda served as a hydrographic survey ship. In 1978, she underwent a major refit and was transformed into a sail-training vessel, a role she continues to fulfill with pride as part of the Uruguayan Navy.
The animated event was attended by some 80 select guests, receiving multiple expressions of recognition from authorities and the audience.
After the formal part, participants were offered a tasting of typical dishes, an “asado” and a candombe show performed by the ship’s crew.
The participation was highly valued by the organizers of Sail Amsterdam and the Mayor of Amsterdam, who highlighted the warmth and professionalism of the Uruguayan delegation.
