Sixty Ships confirmed for Tall Ships Races

The latest vessels to confirm are the Iskra ORP from Poland, one of the larger Class A ships, and the Faramir from the UK and the Zenobe Gramme from Belgium, both smaller Class C vessels.

Michelle Daurat, Tall Ships Project Manager with Hartlepool Council, said: “The fact that more and more ships are signing up to take part is the best possible endorsement for the event.

“We are delighted that so many ships have confirmed their involvement at this stage, and we are confident that more will follow.”

Hartlepool expects to welcome up to one million visitors for the finale of the prestigious Tall Ships Races 2010.

The ships are due to arrive in the town on Saturday August 7 after sailing from Kristiansand in Norway and the second and final race of the event. They will stay until Tuesday August 10 when they will bid a grand farewell in an impressive Parade of Sail.

Hartlepool Borough Council has teamed up with PD Ports and Hartlepool Marina to organise the event.

The larger Class A and B vessels will be berthed in Victoria Harbour at PD Ports, while the smaller ships will be in Hartlepool Marina.