Next year’s America’s Cup “will be by far the greatest international event Bermuda has ever hosted”, according to its chairman of water operations.

Ralph Richardson is calling on residents to lend their time next summer to ensure that the prestigious sailing competition is a success.

Hundreds of volunteers will be needed during the six-week event both on land and sea, beginning in mid-May when the boats start practising prior to competition.

“Bermuda is of a size that this event could engage the entire community. That’s what I’d like to see,” said Mr Richardson, who gave a talk on the topic to the Hamilton Rotary Club on Tuesday.

He added that last year’s Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Bermuda event, held between October 16 and 18, welcomed about 250 volunteers who contributed the equivalent of $600,000 in man hours. It also brought $6.1 million of visitor expenditure into the island’s economy.

“Anyone who would like to commit some time to volunteer next year will be welcome,” Mr Richardson said. “People should participate because they may never get to take part in anything like this ever again. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime event for us.”

Positions are waiting to be filled across the board, including course marshals, event planners, cleaners, media managers and traffic guides.

“It only works if everyone works together,” Mr Richardson said. “We need to overcome any negativity about the event. The America’s Cup will show the rest of the world that we’re back in the tourist business. This will be a good start for a new phase in Bermuda’s history.”

For more details and to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.acbda.bm/about/get-involved