Sail Den Helder and Royal Netherlands Navy Open Days came to a splendid conclusion on June 22, with the final day of this four-day maritime event attracting a huge number of visitors. About 160,000 people found their way to the port of Den Helder, accompanied by a few bouts of sunshine. The combined maritime event drew more than 330,000 enthusiasts in total.
The organisation said the event had enjoyed an ‘overwhelming interest, given the amount of rainfall in the last few days.’ From Thursday to Sunday, visitors were able to take in impressive old sailing ships, modern navy vessels and scores of demonstrations.
Although they are different in scope, the ideas behind Sail Den Helder and the Royal Netherlands Navy Open Days are the same: to show people what life at sea was and is like and what it is that makes living and working at sea so captivating.
[mappress] Press Release, June 26, 2013; Image: Dutch MoD