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A chance for beach-goers to visit Gotheborg

Special Correspondent

Will anchor off between Lighthouse and office of the Director-General of Police

CHENNAI: Come Tuesday and visitors to the Marina Beach will have a new attraction: the majestic Swedish ship Gotheborg.

A replica of the 18th century wooden vessel of the same name, it would anchor off the Beach between the Lighthouse and the office of the Director-General of Police.

The call of Gotheborg, in time for the ten-day `Sweden Comes to Chennai' event from Tuesday, would mean a continuation of the celebrations focussed on maritime activities in the city. The visit would come on the heels of the 125th year celebrations of the port of Chennai.

Apart from the opportunity to visit Gotheborg, the attraction for those visiting the beach on Tuesday at dusk would be a firework display. Swedish companies Assab Sripad Steels, Elof Hansson, Gambro, Gislen Software and Liv Medica Products would sponsor the display.

The public can visit the ship between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on February 3, 5, 6 and 7. The fee for visiting the ship will be Rs.50 per adult. Two children can accompany an adult. Entry for the children is free. Buses would ply from the parking lot opposite the Secretariat, a press release said.

One of the features of new Gotheborg, arriving from Singapore, is the extensive use of traditional materials, including wood, oak and pine. It is also fitted with modern communication and navigation devices.

The original Gotheborg, which undertook three voyages to Asia, ran aground in 1745, Swedish authorities said recently.

Gotheborg would be a star attraction in Chennai, a city receiving more cruise vessels in recent times. On Sunday, two cruise liners docked at the Chennai Port Trust.

The increase in calls by such ships is due to the Government encouraging and providing facilities for tourists vessels, said M.T. Vimal Kumar, managing director, Ocean Waves Shipping Services and agent for one of the two liners Island Sky.

The Spirit of Adventure, the other cruise vessel, came to Chennai from Thailand. The vessel with almost 350 people, including the crew, on board is on an eight-month voyage from Europe to the Far East, Asia, Africa.

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