Port Authority to celebrate 50th in true seafaring style

10:06am Thursday 24th April 2008

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This summer's Sea Fair Milford Haven plans are steaming ahead with ships of all shapes and sizes set to take part in the waterside celebrations.

Milford Haven Port Authority's Sea Fair Milford Haven festival will see more than 200 traditional and classic craft gathering on the waterway between June 18 and 25 in a maritime celebration set to rival the very best in Europe.

The event marks the major attraction in the authority's 50th anniversary celebrations, and will host everything from coracles to tall ships on the Haven.

Also set to attend will be a number of vessels due to compete in the 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race - a spectacular high-speed event of international fame.

Other craft set to appear include: l The 1955 Fairey Atlanta Ereina, rescued from a garden 15 years ago and now restored; l The 1930 Quay Punt Yacht Matahari - the oldest in the Classic Bermudan fleet - with her yawl rig and several Atlantic crossings to her credit; l The 1936 Wendy May and Mignonette, from 1947, a modified Lone Gull design, both from the Old Gaffer fleet; l Two redwings, Kestrel (1897) and Cirrus (1901), representing the sail and oar fleet, coming from the Classic Boat Museum at Newport, Isle of Wight; l Rheingauner, from Germany, a church boat originally built to ferry the congregation to and from church on Finland's various islands.

Milford Haven Port Authority has also urged visiting sailors and spectators, expected to make their way from all over Europe, to take full advantage of the shore-side hospitality - including coming ready to get dressed up for a Victorian themed event.

The night is one of a range of on-shore events being staged by one of the ten host ports during the week as villages along the shores of the Haven welcome visiting flotillas with everything from live music and entertainment to samples of traditional Pembrokeshire produce.

Other highlights of the week include the visits of five tall ships including the Earl of Pembroke, Jeannie Johnston, Kaskelot and La Recouvrance - all of which will be offering the opportunity of sailing trips on the Haven.