Minesweeper Calls in Kuressaare for Maritime Days
Although high winds at the start of the Saaremaa's Maritime Week festival pared down the Tall Ships part of the festivities, the public will get a chance to admire a modern naval vessel today and tomorrow.
The Admiral Cowan can be seen at the city's Roomassaare port today until 18:00 and tomorrow from 11:00 to 18:00 as part of the Kuressaare Maritime Days, the final installment of Saaremaa Maritime Week.
The crew will be taking part in the opening ceremony, meeting Mayor Mati Mäetalu and participating in sports competitions, the Defense Forces general staff said.
"It's important for us to visit Kuressaare and show off the ship as Kuressaare is our friendship city," said commander of the vessel, 1st Lt. Tanel Leetna. "It's a tradition for us, and the welcome has always been warm in Kuressaare."
The Admiral Cowan visits the Maritime Days each year. This year, it will be going on to Gdynia, Poland, to start service in NATO's permanent mine countermeasures group.
The ship was purchased from the UK for the Navy, one of three Sandown class minesweepers. It is named after a Brtish admiral who played a role in the Estonian War of Indpendence.