NLIS 4
June 9, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Newfoundland Flotilla 2000 plays an exciting role as part of the
Vikings! 1000 Years Program of affiliated events.

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is pleased to announced that plans are going "full steam ahead" for the Newfoundland Flotilla 2000. "The Newfoundland Flotilla �97 was a complete success and was warmly welcomed all over the province," Minister Furey said. "We are honoured and delighted that this group is once again planning to make the journey and set sail tomorrow for the Viking celebrations, and I am pleased to act as honourary chairperson for the event."

On Saturday, June 10, a fleet of vessels from Ontario and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard will set sail from the Mimico Cruising Club in Toronto, bound for the waters of Newfoundland and Labrador. They will rendez vous at the Bay of Islands on July 4 and join in the arrival ceremonies for the Viking fleet at L�Anse aux Meadows on July 28. Other planned ports of call for the Flotilla include Woody Point, Port aux Choix, Flowers Cove, Red Bay, Henley Harbour, Battle Harbour, Quirpon, Lewisporte, Moreton�s Harbour, Seldom Come By, St. John�s, Port Kirwan, Fermeuse, Trepassey, Fortune and Burin.

Newfoundland Flotilla 2000 is being hosted by Ocean Net, an ocean conservation organization based in Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, 30 vessels from outside the province have registered to take part, and organizer Bob O�Brien says there�s room for more. O� Brien is also encouraging local vessels to take part.

"All of us who are part of Newfoundland Flotilla 2000 look forward to the excitement of the Viking celebrations at L�Anse aux Meadows, as well as our visits to the many ports of call," O�Brien said. "I look forward to sharing the beauty and hospitality of my home province with fellow sailors, who at the end of their long voyage will take home wonderful memories, and continue their role as superb nautical ambassadors for Newfoundland and Labrador."

Vikings! 1000 Years: Make the Journey is a project of the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation, Parks Canada and the Viking Trail Tourism Association. The Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program are the funding partners for Vikings! 1000 Years. The three major corporate sponsors for the Vikings! 1000 Years celebrations are Petro-Canada, NewTel and Newfoundland Power. Supporting sponsors include Dominion, Eimskip, FMC Kongsberg Subsea, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board and Interprovincial Airlines.

Media contact:

Tara Laing, Communications, Special Celebrations Agency, (709) 729-3813
Bob O�Brien or Kay Coxworthy, (709) 753-3679
web site: www.nfflotilla2000.com

2000 06 09                                 1:50 p.m.