The famous Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta (RMSR) starting from Valletta has risen continuously since it was first held in 1968.
After leaving the Grand Harbour , Malta, boats head to the Gulf of Messina (Sicily), then the Aeolian Islands (together with the active volcano Stromboli), then passing through the Aegadian Islands, Islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, and returning to Malta. This circular route is around 606 nautical miles in length, and the shortest time to cross it is almost two full days.
One of the sailing yachts is the Italian Navy or Marina Militare Italiana Ocean Ketch sail training ship ITS ORSA MAGGIORE A 5323.
She is an oceanic yacht racing armed as ketch of the Italian Navy’s sail section based at La Spezia Naval Base.
Commissioned in the Navy on 28th November 1995, she’s not a new face to Malta. In fact she called for the first time 22 days before being commissioned on navigation training. Then we saw her in 1998 and 1999.
And in 2021 and 2022 we saw her during RMSR Editions.
Her length overall (loa) is 28.3 meters with a beam of 6.4 meters and maximum draft of 4 meters.
She can hoist 387 square meters of sail upwind and more than double that downwind with 20 crew.
And during her stay at Malta, she always berths at Roland Marina situated in Lazzaretto Creek, Marsamxett Harbour.
