Festival of Sail Sign Ups 2023

[DaveIronside]

I am excited to once again extend an invitation to the governments of Mundus to join us for the annual Festival of Sail. The Festival has been an international event now for many years and we have been delighted to welcome vessels from across the world, both allies and new friends. This year the festival will once again open its doors to the world and we invite nations to display as wide a variety of sea going craft as possible so that we may come together and celebrate the skill, ingenuity and creativity of those who travel the oceans. As usual the festival shall begin with a huge floating parade from the town of Seabrooke, down the Mhorish coast and enter the ports, harbours and marinas of Portworth. Vessels will then be assigned a berth somewhere according to whether you wish the vessel to be accessible to the public. In the past we have been able to accomodate vessels which vendors wish to showcase to potential markets while simulationously allowing top security for those here merely to bring foreign naval service men and women to the festival.

In addition to the Festival member of the East Moreland government will be on hand should anyone wish to discuss matters of a more formal nature and as always there shall the Royal Banquet on the final evening. This year this shall take place just down the coast from Seabrooke in the Ducal Palace which since my wife and myself have restored will host its first formal event.

Should your nation wish to attend and showcase vessels please let us know.

May The Gods Watch Over You and Your Seas Be Calm

King David III of East Moreland.

OOC - As always anyone is free to come along, just would be nice to be able to have a heads up as to what is coming so I can work it into the initial posts and of course if anyone wants to meet King David or some other East Moreland person. You don't have to write a formal reply unless you want to.

[Daitō]

King David III,

   I am pleased to say that I will be in attendance at the 2023 Festival of Sail in Portworth alongside members of my family and my staff. During my visit, I would be more than happy to meet, to discuss the future of Daitō and East Moreland's relationship as well as to get to know the country itself better. Whether this might mean merely staying in the city of Portworth or perhaps visiting other locations across your most beautiful homeland, I am certain that time can be arranged, and I take heart in knowing that security at the event will be in the ever-capable hands of local authorities. Nonetheless, I would be remiss if I were not to inform you that members of the Imperial Guard will be among my entourage, merely as a matter of extra precaution such as would be seen on a regular state visit.

   Of course, I could not forget to mention the vessels which will be in attendance at the event. As one might imagine, last year's showing, although, due to circumstances outside of my own control, I could attend, will not be possible, as the funding for it would be better served in other ventures. However, I can confirm that I will be arriving in Portworth aboard the Hikōkyōi, which shall serve as my temporary residence during the festivities. As an escort, the Minekaze, our latest destroyer, and the Akagi, a cruiser, shall also be in attendance while other vessels will remain in international waters for the duration of my stay. Also attending will be the Akatatsu-maru, which attended last year. Rounding out our little flotilla of vessels will be the Kaiwo-maru, which has been painstakingly restored to the state it was in during the War of 1853. During the conflict, the vessel played a role in harrying the Ardian navy, and though it was but one ship, her example of bravery has lived on to this very day. Finally, a flight of four J-24s operating from NS Llwynbelan will, with the permission of your government, perform aerobatic maneuvers at some point during the event. I look forwards to this occasion, and I pray that good health be yours.

Signed,
Eijirō, Emperor of Daitō

Spoiler: Ship Images • show

IDY Hikōkyōi

IDN Minekaze

IDN Akagi

Akatatsu-maru

Kaiwo-maru

[Sorrel]

Cultural Office of the Republic

To the Office of King David III

It is with great gratitude that the Republic accepts this invitation to the Festival of Sail. Our nation has a proud cultural heritage of seafaring and as such it is our intent to attend this event with both our oldest and newest sail rigged vessels to represent both the history and future of this heritage. Whilst our Prime Minister will unfortunately not be able to attend this event both representatives of the current Government and the Republic Navy will be present to represent the flag.

The Three vessels we will be sending to this event are the RNS Aggressor, an 18th Century Frigate which holds the distinction of being the honourary Flagship of the fleet as well as our oldest serving commissioned vessel which has recently been refurbished to be made seaworthy. We will also be sending the SS Hawk, a modern full-rigged yacht which will host our delegation and embedded security team. And finally the Battlecruiser RNS Dungannon will be in attendance as the official flag representative of the Republic Navy.

With greatest regards,
Samuel Crydd, Preorian Cultural Minister

Spoiler: show

SS Hawk

RNS Aggressor

RNS Dungannon

[Paracambi]

To:- His Majesty King David III

I would be delighted if you would permit two vessels from our nation to take part in your Festival of Sail. First we would like the reproduction of the first HIMS Insolent to be set up as a museum ship. As I know you are aware the HIMS Insolent, especially its first incarnation, are a central part of our nations heritage and demonstrates one of Mundus largest anti-slavery operations. Its story is so vital to our nations heritage it even forms part of our national anthem.

The second vessel we would like to send is to compliment the replica. Thecurrent HIMS Insolent is a helicopter cruiser that we would like to feature sailing side by side with its historic namesake. While in East Moreland we would appreciate being able to moor the Insolent in your waters.

If it would please yourself and your family I would also like to invite you to join my family onboard the historic replica one evening for dinner. From our previous meetings I appreciate your love of history and can guarantee you an evening as though stepping back in time.

I look forward to your festival.

Best Wishes

Emperor Benson of Paracambi
Head Hougon of the Vodou Faith.

[Kodima]

Dear King David

I would be grateful if you would permit IMS Jehoiakim to moor in Portworth during your Festival of Sail. The ship is currently fitted as a survey vessel. It would be good for its crew of approximately 70 sailors to take some time off and enjoy the sights of a new destination. Should it be possible we would be willing to allow tour groups aboard to see a working scientific based vessel. I would also like to visit myself and meet with you as we have not yet had this oppurtunity.

Best Wishes

Emperor Malachi V

[Beatrice]

Festival of Sail 2023

King David III,

It is my hopes that my message finds you well, along with my excitement and acceptance to your invitation to the Festival of Sail. While in recent times there have been those among us who would wish to point toward differences our nations share proud maritime traditions and histories. As you read this letter I will be traveling to East Moreland upon the Austrana. Joining the Imperial Yacht in her voyage to East Moreland shall be the Blue Star Lines ocean liner United States, the Reverence Class Battleship Josiah Rhodes, the Celestial Class Battlecarrier Venerable, and something which I am looking forward to sharing with the crowds at the festival, the Rokkenjiman tall ship Yūdaina. Originally constructed by the Rokkenjiman diaspora who concentrated themselves in Jenka-Jenkinson today she may ply the seas as an ambassador of the rich maritime history of the First Empire.

As it has been some time since we've had the opportunity to speak I look forward to the opportunity to catch up with you and, if possible, to also speak with Princess Freya during my time in East Moreland.

I have been informed that the crew of the United States intends to host lunch and dinner services as well as tours of the liner. In addition, Blue Star Line representatives will be aboard the United States to explore the possibilities of a regular Northern Service for the remainder of 2023 and early 2024, after which if demand proves great enough this could become a permanent Service of the Blue Star Line. Furthermore, the crew of Yūdaina would be interested in offering a brief series of cruises to members of the public under the power of her sails during the Festival, whilst I will be wiping the dust from the pipe organ aboard the Austrana for a performance open to dignitaries and 75 members of the public for each night of the Festival.

Fair winds and following seas;


Empress of the First Empire of Rokkenjima

Spoiler: Ships in attendance • show

HMY Austrana


United States


IRF Josiah Rhodes


IRF Venerable


Yūdaina

[Achkaerin]

To: King David III of East Moreland

In every incarnation of the Festival of Sail, since it was opened to the international community following East Moreland's emerging from isolation, the waters of Portworth have played host to among many other fine vessels those of the Achkaerinese Navy and civilian institutions. It has also seen the consistent attendance of the Achkaerinese Monarch,  not even significant surgery could keep my father away. It is therefore perhaps fitting that my first international visit to a nation as Empress is to East Moreland, a nation regarded here as Achkaerin's closest friend and ally. As always Achkaerin's representation at the Festival aims to showcase a mix of history, innovation, fun and a glimpse of the future. To those ends from the Achkaerinese Navy we shall be sending the INS Rhyth Icerider drone carrier and the newest vessel in the fleet the INS Northwind the former of these will be serving as base camp for the Blue Mermaids display team. I'm pleased to communicate that the Spirit of Mundus floating museum will be in attendance. From the mid nineteeth century we shall be sending the INS Dauntless while I shall be aboard the Royal yacht, though technically Ekranoyacht, the Blue Vixen.

During the festival the Blue Mermaid team will be providing the opportunity to drive watercraft of the type they use, the Spirit of Mundus shall be open for all to experience and the Rhyth Icerider would like to use its drones to conduct displays each night of the festival. Finally I'm pleased to announce that a Rugby Sevens tournament involving teams from vessels present at the festival shall be occurring aboard the flight deck of the IRF Venerable following the agreement of the Rokkenjiman Government to facilitate that. I'm looking forward to experiencing Festival of Sail this year as well as seeing whether Morelander rugby proficiency extends to the East Moreland Navy.

Signed

Empress Serenity Azurewind
OOC - I'm not actually going to score a rugby tournament during the festival, it's just a backdrop thing for this year. Anyone can be involved in that.

Spoiler: Ships in attendance • show

INS Northwind


INS Rhyth Icerider


Spirit of Mundus


INS Dauntless


Blue Vixen

[Cass]

To:- His Majesty King David III

If we may we would like to send the refurbished Lightvessel known as Apollo's Beacon. to your Festival of Sail. This vessel once stood along our coast to mark hazards in areas unsuitable for traditional light houses. The Apollos Beacon has now been repurposed into a "Light Show Vessel", meaning its lighting system now is capable of producing shows featuring laser projection and lights. If permitted the ship would be anchored close to the venue but far enough out to allow it to undertake performances at night.

Being a former naval officer myself I would like to attend in person however this is not possible at this time. Instead I would appreciate it if you would allow a brief visit with my neice Lady Filippa Andreas as I would like her to convey an offer from our nation to yours.

Best Wishes

Queen Atalanta