Dar Młodzieży - A Polish Icon of the Sea

The sailing ship Dar Młodzieży is the pride of Poland's training fleet and one of the most recognizable tall ships in the world. Since its maiden voyage in 1983, this remarkable vessel has sailed hundreds of thousands of nautical miles, training generations of Polish and international sailors. Its history is a story of resilience, collaboration, and successes on the global stage.

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20 september 2024   |   08:00   |   Source: Polski Związek Żeglarski / Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Daniel Nawrocki   |   Print

fot. Polski Związek Żeglarski

Beginnings at sea

The Dar Młodzieży was built in 1982 at the Gdańsk Shipyard as the successor to the legendary Dar Pomorza. Its godmother was Helena Jurkiewicz, the wife of the esteemed Captain Kazimierz Jurkiewicz. In its very first year of service, the ship proved to be a worthy successor by participating in the prestigious Tall Ships Rally celebrating the 400th anniversary of Osaka Castle.

On July 22, 1983, Dar Młodzieży set sail from Gdynia under the command of Captain Tadeusz Olechnowicz, carrying 119 students from the Gdynia Maritime University. The voyage lasted 217 days, during which the frigate covered 28,065 nautical miles and visited 13 ports, including Osaka. In Japan, over 200,000 guests came aboard the ship. Sailing across the Pacific Ocean was a true test, but despite challenging weather conditions, the ship majestically entered the port in Japan, where it was met with a rousing reception.

Operation Sail – Success on the International Stage

The Dar Młodzieży gained global recognition thanks to its participation in numerous prestigious regattas, one of the most notable being Operation Sail ’84. Departing from Brest, the frigate competed against top vessels like the American Eagle and Bolivian Simon Bolivar. The Polish crew, led by Captain Olechnowicz, achieved a spectacular victory, cementing its place in the history of Polish sailing.

The ship continued its success in subsequent years, participating in Operation Sail ’86 and regattas in Australia. In 1987, after covering 32,352 nautical miles in 274 days, it was awarded the Boston Tea Pot prize for the longest uninterrupted voyage under sail.

Conquering the world and setting new records

Over the following decades, the Dar Młodzieży continued its training mission, participating in numerous regattas, including the Tall Ships’ Races and Columbus ’92, earning further awards and achieving top positions in Class A. By the end of 2006, the ship had completed 125 training voyages, covering more than 388,000 nautical miles and visiting 357 ports worldwide.

The ship's legacy extends beyond Polish sailors. In 2008, for the first time, students from the Belgian maritime school Hogere Zeevaartschool trained aboard, leading to further collaboration. The frigate also took part in events promoting Poland, such as Sea Days in Szczecin and a voyage with the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra during the Year of Chopin.

Technical specifications

The frigate Dar Młodzieży boasts impressive dimensions: its total length, including the bowsprit, is 108.815 meters, and the sail area reaches 3,015 m². The ship’s maximum sailing speed is 16.5 knots, making it one of the fastest vessels of its kind. The permanent crew consists of 40 members, while the ship can accommodate 136 trainees. Powered by a Cegielski-Sulzer engine, Dar Młodzieży can achieve speeds of up to 12 knots under engine power.

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