Spain: Juan Sebastian de Elcano’s Crew Pays Tribute to Helicopter Crash Victims

The crew and midshipmen of the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ paid tribute to the fellow servicemen who died in a helicopter accident on April 16th 2010 in the course of the humanitarian aid operation ‘Hispaniola’ in Haiti.

The ceremony took place on the poop deck of the training ship during the Mass celebrated in the morning of the 27th, attended by local authorities and members of the Spanish colony in Santo Domingo.

The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ arrived at the capital city of the Dominican Republic on April 24th and left on the 28th. It was the twentieth time the training ship called at Santo Domingo.

During the port of call the training ship participated in many social, cultural and sports activities organized by the Spanish Embassy; a highlight being the visit to the local Naval Academy. Midshipmen from both Navies had the chance to lunch together, play sports and attend a conference on drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea.

The Casa de España in the city cheerfully opened its doors to welcome the crew of the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’, thus strengthening the long-lasting relationship between our veteran ship and the large Spanish colony in the island. The crew and midshipmen also visited the old quarters of the city, one of the first and oldest in the New World, said Spanish Navy in its release.

The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ is now sailing towards New York, the last port of call of her American cruise. She is scheduled to arrive at the Big Apple by May 10th.

[mappress]
Press Release, May 1, 2014; Image: Spanish Navy