Wednesday, 04 June 2008

 

UNIQUE VISITOR TO CALL ALONG SCALLOWAY HARBOUR

 

This weekend sees a unique visitor to Scalloway Harbour in the shape of the Swedish training ship Gunilla.  From Friday morning to Sunday evening (6 to 8 June) the three-masted, square-rigged ship of around 60 metres in length will be in port giving the 32 students onboard the opportunity to tour the area and visit the NAFC Marine Centre.

 

The Gunilla is operated by an upper secondary school – the equivalent of a UK college – from the island of Öckerö near Gothenberg.  The crew of students are all about 17 years old and study marine biology or nautical studies – hence the reason for including the Centre in its weekend itinerary.

 

Fisheries development manager at the NAFC Marine Centre, Ian Napier, said: “The school specialises in teaching marine subjects and uses the Gunilla as a floating classroom during cruises throughout the Atlantic.  Her visit to Shetland this year is part of a cruise around north-east Europe.

 

“We very much look forward to welcoming the students to tour our facilities and share their experiences with staff.  I believe it is fairly rare for a sailing ship of this size to call into Scalloway so it will be a particularly significant occasion.”

 

The Gunilla will be open to the public on Saturday from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

 

Further information from:

Ian Napier, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772308, email or visit www.nafc.ac.uk

Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465 or email