Aileen Friedman

Living on Cozumel Island, you become accustomed to the enormous cruise ships anchored in the ports daily. It’s the norm. But now and then an infinitely smaller vessel docks and creates a frenzy of interest for locals and tourists.

The Simon Boliver training sailship visited Cozumel Island recently, intriguing the visitors who went onboard. Her length is 82.4 m, her beam is 10.6 m, and her masts over 38 m. The highest mast is 38 m, very impressive. The total area of her 33 sails is 1650 sqm. She is magnificent, and her 140-170 crew will boldly attest to it.

Crafted from wood and steel and launched in 1960, she sails proudly under the Venezuelan flag. As a beacon of maritime tradition and education, she provides future naval officers with hands-on training, developing their skills and character. 

The crew embarks from the Port of La Guaira and visits countries such as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, and Curaçao.

The cadets learn to navigate the seas with modern technology and savored techniques that have safely carried sailors for decades, shaping future sailors and leaders for Venezuela. Essential life skills, such as teamwork, discipline, and respect for nature, particularly the ocean, are instilled in the cadets during training.

Walking on the decks of this beautiful ship, one can only imagine the adventures and lifelong friendships these cadets manifest. While slowly strolling on the decks, I noticed a group of little children sitting on the wooden deck, entranced by the guide’s story. You could see the amazement and wonder beaming in their eyes as they imagined themselves a sailor on this charming sailship.

So, when you notice a ship other than a cruise ship anchored at a port in Cozumel, take a break from your busy day and pay it a visit. You’ll be intrigued by its mystery and myths.