Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, will brave the high seas aboard the Spirit of Bermuda during the Newport Bermuda Race in June.

Mr Murdoch will join Spirit captain Mario Swainson and first officer Tristan DeSilva aboard Bermuda’s flagship, which will head to Newport, Rhode Island at the end of May.

2026 marks 120 years since the first Newport Bermuda race and the Spirit of Bermuda’s return to the world’s oldest regularly scheduled open sailing competition.

This is one of many events the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, which operates the vessel, have planned to mark 20 years since her arrival on the island.

The popular Pirates of Bermuda fundraiser is returning on April 19 — and will be presided by Mr Murdoch — and the vessel is heading to Boston in July for a tall ships event celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary.

It is anticipated that 1.2 million people will be on the Boston Harbour shoreline for the latter event.

Jean-Paul Doughty, BSF executive director, previously competed in the Newport Bermuda race.

He said this month: “Funds raised through Pirates of Bermuda will support crew recruitment and training, vessel readiness and delivery of our revitalised experiential learning voyages.”

He added: “The reasons [the Boston event] is important is because it positions the Spirit of Bermuda as a national icon and as an ambassador for the island.

“We would be representing Bermuda at this very important event in the US.”

The BSF experienced well-documented financial challenges that saw the Spiritalmost sold off, but developed a plan in 2025, with help from the Nonprofit Alliance of Bermuda and other stakeholders, that would carry the charity through the next three years.

The Royal Gazette reached out to Government House for comment about Mr Murdoch’s participation in the Newport Bermuda race, but did not receive a response by press time.