Sail Morotai yachts start arriving in Ternate

Paper Edition | Page: 5

Fifteen yachts participating in the Sail Morotai event have arrived in Imam Lastori harbor in Morotai Island regency, North Maluku.

“Existing data shows 37 yachts will participate in the Yacht Rally 2012, but not all will attend Sail Morotai 2012,” Revi Dara, head of the Morotai Island Tourism Office, said as quoted by the Antara news agency on Thursday.

The international maritime event, also called Sail Indonesia, will host participants from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the US. In all, approximately 5,000 guests, including foreign sailors, are expected to attend the event.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to inaugurate Sail Morotai 2012 at Daruba beach on Sept. 15.

At least 100 World War II veterans from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, who were stationed in Morotai and other neighboring islands during the war, have been invited to attend the opening ceremony.

The natural beauty of Morotai Island, situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is also expected to attract tourists.