A Tall Ship for Switzerland

 

News reaches our ears of an ambitious project that it is hoped will see Switzerland become a player in the world of tallships. Initiated by Sail Training Switzerland and STCH (Swiss Sail Training Association), the plan is to create a Swiss Tall Ship that can participate in the world's Tall Ships' meetings. The Runi, a former gaff-rigged pilot schooner constructed in steel in Germany in the early 1900's (see below), will be converted into the Miss Helvetia, a three masted Barquentine over 45m long.

The organisers of this project are seeking investment of CHF300,000 (£130,000) to see this plan become a reality. This would see them acquire the Runi and move her from Grenaa (in Denmark) to Basel and start the conversion. It is hoped that six sponsors might be attracted, each donating CHF 50,000 (£21,000).

The donating companies or individuals would benefit from the Corporate Sponsorship Program set up by the Sail Training World Foundation (that has an initial capital of CHF50,000) which includes:

- having the boat and its image at their disposal for public relations, during the restoration

- having their name associated with the project by showing their logo on the yard location in Basel, on Miss Helvetia's website and newsletter

- having their name/logo engraved on the deck and on a copper plate placed on the vessel

We wish the team the very best of luck with this ambitious endeavour and hope that they succeed in raising the funds they need.

For more information on this project visit www.MissHelvetia.com or www.sailtraining.ch