Argentinian frigate Libertad to return to Liverpool this weekend after 24 years

Argentinian frigate Libertad will sail into Liverpool on Saturday night on its first visit to the River Mersey for 24 years.

The Argentine Navy training ship will dock at Liverpool Cruise Terminal until Tuesday, marking the halfway point in its latest voyage.

The Argentine Ambassador to the UK R. Carlos Sersale di Cerisano will welcome the crew of 27 officers, 192 non-commissioned officers and 132 training officers, who are on their final year of midshipman training.

Members of the public will be able to go on board the historic ship, which set sail on its maiden voyage in 1963.

Libertad has spent 17 of her 53 years at sea, covering over 800,000 nautical miles and visiting over 500 ports in 60 countries.

Around 11,000 Argentine seamen have been trained aboard and Libertad holds the world speed record for crossing the North Atlantic – covering 2,058 miles from Cape Race (Canada) to the line between Dublin/Liverpool, in just eight days and 12 hours.

On Monday a wreath will be placed at the Mimosa Memorial on Princes Parade, which was unveiled in 2015 to mark 150 years since the first Welsh settlers to Patagonia set sail from Liverpool.

A reception with a group of Royal Navy officers and cadets, the presidents of APARU (Association of Argentine Professionals in the United Kingdom) and the Anglo-Argentine Society, and Embassy staff will be held aboard the ship.

The 104m-long frigate, which has visited ten different countries on its latest voyage, will set sail for Dublin on Tuesday ahead of visits to Spain, Italy, Greece and Uruguay.

*Libertad is due to arrive at 9.30pm on Saturday and will be open to the public from 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

A virtual tour of the ship can be taken at www.fragatalibertad.mindef.gob.ar