The Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s sail training ship has headed off on a four-day voyage from St George’s to Philadelphia.

The Spirit of Bermuda, which left on Sunday, will take part in the city’s Memorial Day Festival, from Friday to May 28.

The trip marks the ship’s first visit to the city, with a four-day passage expected to the Delaware Bay and up the Delaware River, to Penn’s Landing.

The Spirit will be open to the public for four days, along with other tall ships — including square riggers from Portugal, and the educational vessel Oliver Hazard Perry from the US.

The sloop will return home on June 3 and will transport a new 16ft bowsprit and rigging to replace equipment damaged in a collision last year.

As well as representing Bermuda, the trip will give training to apprentices in the role of watch leader for the 2018-19 middle school voyage programme.

The foundation said its three qualified watch leaders were moving on to further education or training overseas this autumn.

Bermudians in the Philadelphia area are encouraged to visit Spirit of Bermuda during her stay.

• For more information, contact Branwen Smith-King, at 737-5667 or e-mail executive.director@bermudasloop.org