Historic Norwegian tall ship docked in San Diego during world tour
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
It has arrived: A 111-year-old Norwegian tall ship arrived in San Diego this week, part of a stop on a tour around the world that is intended to educate the public about ocean conservation and technology.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl, one of the largest square-rigged sailing ships still in operation, arrived in port escorted by the Maritime Museum’s fleet, which includes the Californian and the San Salvador, for a gunnery salute as it passed the Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship, which has its home port in San Diego.
That moment united three centuries of seafaring tradition and history.
“This is a breathtaking moment — the kind of event that connects San Diego to the world and links us across oceans and generations,” said Gordon Kovtun, honorary consul of Norway in San Diego.
The Bergen, Norway-based vessel serves as a sail-training ship and research platform dedicated to advancing awareness about the ocean, climate change, and sustainable development. The vessel is now docked at Broadway Pier, where it will host educational programs and an “innovation summit” this week. It will be open for free public tours on Saturday, Nov. 15 from noon to 3pm.
“The arrival of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl celebrates the spirit of exploration, innovation and ocean preservation that San Diego shares with Norway and coastal nations around the world,” Kovtun added.
The visit is hosted by the Norwegian Consulate General, the Maritime Museum of San Diego and TMA BlueTech, a San Diego-based nonprofit that promotes sustainable, science-based ocean and water industries.
The public will be able to tour Statsraad Lehmkuhl on Saturday from noon to 3pm and simultaneously learn about San Diego’s roles in the global “blue economy,” a sector at the intersection of technology, policy and ocean conservation, according to organizers.
Free tours of the Star of India are also available on Friday, Nov. 14 from 10am to 4pm to celebrate the ship’s 162nd birthday.
More information about the events can be found online at TMABlueTech.org and SDMaritime.org.
City News Service contributed to this report.
