Launched on 21 March 1934 in the old “Dubigeon” shipyards in Nantes (France), ship Palinuro it was acquired by the Navy back in 1950 to be used as a sailing unit for the training and training of personnel belonging to the category helmsmen e motorists.
90 years after its launch, the schooner vessel still carries out the tasks of supporting and training the normal marshal students of the helmsman category of the Officers' School of Taranto and of the students of the "Francesco Morosini" Military Naval School of Venice and, also, contributes to the projection of the image of the Navy both in Italy and abroad during the education campaigns.
During the boarding period on board the sailing ship, the staff involved in the training period, thanks to the day-long work done alongside the ship's staff, acquires the true value dimension on which the Navy lays its foundations: the promotion of the figure of the sailor , which is rooted in moral values and attachment to traditions and the professional model, which guarantees full equality among the personnel who sail the seas in any weather condition.
Future recruits, in fact, learn to feel like an integral part of a real Crew and to work immersed in a close-knit and highly professional team. In particular, future Navy Marshals acquire the foundations of what will soon become their job for years to come. Seamanship and naval diplomacy activities are the first steps towards becoming true sailors preparing to live a unique experience. Obviously we must consider that everything happens on board an elderly lady who, however, manages to renew her charm every year and continues to welcome thousands of curious visitors.
Precisely on the occasion of its 90th anniversary, all the crew currently on board celebrated with strength, vigor and true passion for a ship which, in addition to raising men and women with true mettle, manages to represent a lifestyle. Nowadays a lot of sailing is practiced on board in the traditional way (there are no electrical support devices), which is useful for forging team spirit, but in all activities particular attention is always paid to advancing technology and, consequently, to respecting current legislation on safety at work.
Happy birthday to the Palinuro school ship and “Faventibus ventis” for the next activities in which you will surely be protagonists.