SAIL BUNAKEN TO BRING TOGETHER 8,000 SAILORS

Manado, North Sulawesi, May 26 (ANTARA) - The Sail Bunaken Festival to be organized in Manado on August 12-20, 2009 will bring together around 7,000 to 8,000 sailors from all over the world.

"Ship crew members from all over the world will sail to Manado to visit the Bunaken marine park. Sail Bunaken will be greater than the Bunaken Festival which was held earlier," North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Sarundajang said here on Tuesday.

The Sail Bunaken activities will include parades of the world's best fleet review, sail pass, tall ship, Darwin (Australia) - Manado yacht rally, fly pass, and a civic mission.

"One of the largest aircraft carriers , the USS George Washington, will also be present. They will arrive at Bitung seaport, an extraordinary natural seaport," he said.

The presidents and navy chiefs from a number of countries will attend a meeting to be held for almost 10 days in Manado, according to the governor.

The governor asked all district heads in North Sulawesi province to improve infrastructure, including good restaurants and rest rooms in the runup to Sail Bunaken.

First Admiral Willem Rampangilei, commander of the Indonesian Navy's Main Base, was scheduled to make a presentation on the preparations for Sail Bunaken, on Tuesday (May 26).

The planned implementation of Sail Bunaken 2009 is expected to cost more than Rp40 billion from the State Budget 2009.

The event's activities will also include "Indonesia Fleet Review" (IFR), a cultural and water sport festival, a seafood festival, a diving record breaking involving 1,500 divers, and a gala dinner.

The sideline activities will be among other things, an international seminar on "Building a Comprehensive Maritime Security" to be organized by the Indonesian Navy, and another seminar on "Possible Benefit of the Effort to Minimize Illegal Fishing in the Region" to be organized by the Indonesian marine and fishery affairs ministry.
More than 100 participants consisting of among others admirals of warships from various countries, are expected to take part in the seminars to be held on August 18, 2009.

The Indonesian Fleet Review will be held on August 19, 2009, and feature 29 warships including the USS George Washington of the United States, 150 yachts, and traditional boats belonging to local fishermen.