Latest news with #GerardRichardson
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Tall ship forced to abort departure from Whitehaven Harbour
A TALL ship was forced to abort its departure from Whitehaven Harbour in the early hours of this morning after getting into difficulty. The Galeon Andalucia has been docked in Whitehaven since last Tuesday evening and has welcomed thousands of people on board. The ship, which is a 17th century Spanish Galleon replica, was scheduled to leave the harbour in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after extending its visit by two days. But the departure was abandoned after the ship experienced some issues with wind gusts. It is understood that some minor damage has been done to a pontoon. The ship is now back on The Sugar Tongue and is expected to leave at 4pm today, if weather conditions are favourable. Its next stop is the Bristol Harbour Festival where it is scheduled to arrive by Thursday. Gerard Richardson, deputy lieutenant, one of the organisers of the visit, said: 'Thankfully from initial reports no one was injured and to be honest after that everything else is detail. 'We don't have knowledge of the full extent of damage caused as yet but It's a reminder of the perils of the sea. Hats off to the ship's crew and the harbour team for managing the situation and getting the ship safely alongside again.' Deanne Shallcross, CEO of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said: 'My understanding is conditions do look favourable at 4pm. But often you're never really certain until a split second before. I'm sure there'll be careful assessments and further discussions ahead of that, though.' The Galeon Andalucia attracted tens of thousands of people to Whitehaven Harbour over the weekend and organisers said the visit had brought 'significant economic benefit' to the town. It was coordinated by deputy lieutenant Gerard Richardson in partnership with Sellafield, Amentum, Whitehaven Town Council, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and Marina Projects Whitehaven.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Look inside: 'Breathtaking' Spanish Galleon replica docked in Cumbria
ORGANISERS of a tall ship visit have been 'overwhelmed' by the public response so far - as thousands descend on Whitehaven Harbour. The Galeón Andalucia has been drawing in huge crowds of people since it arrived in Whitehaven from the Isle of Man on Tuesday night. The Galeón Andalucia docked in Whitehaven Harbour (Image: Newsquest) The ship, which is described as a 'floating museum', is modelled after the legendary Spanish galleons that played a key role in global trade and exploration. The public can explore its five decks and learn about its details, navigation, the daily life of its crew, and its own unique story. Onboard The Galeón Andalucia which is currently berthed in Whitehaven Harbour (Image: Newsquest) Thousands of people, including groups of schoolchildren, have already toured The Galeón Andalucia since it arrived in Whitehaven. The visit has been coordinated by deputy lieutenant Gerard Richardson in partnership with Sellafield, Amentum, Whitehaven Town Council, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners and Marina Projects Whitehaven. The dining room inside The Galeón Andalucia (Image: Newsquest) Mr Richardson said: 'It's beaten our expectations. When we started planning this in August last year, ever since then, we have known what the ship looked like. 'Even when we came round the corner yesterday morning and saw the reveal, it's breathtaking. That's from people who have been doing it 20-odd years. Inside one of the lower decks of The Galeón Andalucia (Image: Newsquest) 'We have had pirate ships in the past but we have never had anything that looks like this. The response from the public has been so overwhelming. 'We would love to do this more often. The main problem is there are very few of these ships floating round. They are extremely rare. The top deck of The Galeón Andalucia (Image: Newsquest) 'The bulk of these – you can't get them in the harbour because of the drift and the length. It was a very tight fit [for The Galleon]. It adds to the excitement! 'The crew have been excellent. They understand the role and they know the history of the ship.' The Galeón Andalucia has 10 cast iron cannons on each side (Image: Newsquest) Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, who toured the ship this afternoon, said: 'This is Whitehaven at its best. 'It's a brilliant reminder of Whitehaven's history and Maritime Festival and we need much more of this in the future. Thousands of people have toured The Galeón Andalucia since its arrival in Whitehaven on Tuesday night (Image: Newsquest) 'Myself, the nuclear industry and supply chain and the local councils are banging the drum for more of this in the future.' The Galeón Andalucía will be in Whitehaven until Sunday. Tickets can be booked on The Galeón Andalucia looks 'breathtaking' in Whitehaven Harbour (Image: Newsquest) Regular tickets cost £12, children's tickets (ages 5-10) are £6, and a family ticket (two adults and up to three children aged 5-10) is £30. Children under five years old can enter for free, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Galleon summer visit receives welcome boost from Spanish company
ORGANISERS of an upcoming tall ship visit have received a welcome boost from a Spanish company working in West Cumbria. The Galeón Andalucia - an enormous replica Spanish galleon - will sail into Whitehaven Harbour this summer. Asturfeito, a Spanish company working in the nuclear sector alongside major sponsors Sellafield Ltd and Amentum, have agreed to be the first sponsor of a school coach trip to the Galleon. The school they are supporting is Distington Community School and the support helps reduce the overall cost to the parents and school. The gun deck inside the Spanish Galleon which will be open to visitors when the ship arrives in Whitehaven Harbour (Image: Submitted) Álvaro Zarza, business development manager, said: 'As a company with strong ties to both Spain and the UK, we are pleased to support an initiative that brings history to life in an engaging and meaningful way for local students. 'Contributing to the communities in which we operate is part of our identity, and we are especially pleased to support this very special initiative.' Whitehaven Town Council who are coordinating the visit with Gerard Richardson DL said: 'We are delighted with this support for a really good local school and we would welcome more sponsors to come forward. 'Depending on the distance from the school to the town, the costs vary from just under £200 to about £250 and if any more companies can assist, please contact gerard@ "We are also looking for a sponsor to assist with the cost of a shore power generator for this exciting project.' The Spanish Galleon pictured in front of the New York skyline (Image: NAO Foundation) The enormous replica Spanish galleon is a floating museum that faithfully recreates those used by the Spanish fleet throughout the 16th to 18th centuries. It is due into port on July 9 and will be open until Sunday, July 13. Any schools who wish to arrange visits should contact Mr Richardson on the email address above or clerk@
