6 ship NATO task force docks in Africa’s Tavern of the Seas Cape Town.

The V & A Waterfront was a hive of activity when 6 impressive NATO ships all docked in Cape Town for a 6 day visit. CapeTownMagazine.com was there to not only welcome them from the harbour, but meeting them out at sea so we could watch the crews marvel at,what was for many of them, their first sight of Table Mountain.

This NATO task force, the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) is currently engaged in the circumnavigation of the African continent.

Many of the maritime areas visited by this full battle ready force are being visited for the first time ever by a NATO Naval force and amongst other things the force established NATO’s first naval presence in the international waters of the Benin Bight.

On Tuesday 28 August 2007 the fully deployed multinational force comprising ships from six different NATO nations including, Canada, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal and the United States entered the Victoria and Alfred Basin at the V&A Waterfront.

It is certainly the first time NATO has brought such a large force for exercises this far south and it is a site worth seeing.

The NATO ships will be exercising with the South Africa Navy from 03 to 04 September in South African and international coastal waters.

The ships will be berthed along Jetty 2 and Quay 6 and will set sail again on Monday 3 September at 8am. Members of the public are invited to visit any of the six ships between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September. This is a truly “once in a lifetime” opportunity to see state of the art, working ships from 6 international navies.

Even though they are working ships, all crew have been afforded an opportunity to take a few days vacation in the mother city.

CapeTownMagazine.com had the pleasure of hosting many members of the crews and facilitated a large number of activities that they wanted to do in Cape Town with our Central Reservations Number for tours: 078-686 7505.

Although the Winelands, Table Mountain and bungee jumping were all the on the crew members’ “must do” lists, though Safari’s and Shark Cage Diving seemed to be the most preferred options.

Maybe they have wondered for years what magnificent beasts lurked beneath these fantastic seagoing structures and in Cape Town they will finally get to see the great whites for themselves.

CapeTownMagazine.com’s unique “off shore”; “on ship” booking format allowed crews to book tours from their ships in advance, ensuring availability of the best tour guides, best tours and activities to do in Cape Town, something that they probably would not be able to do or even know about if they had just arrived in port.

Molo Says: Cape Town has always been a tavern of the seas; and its Waterfront and Waterkant (the old District 5) were renowned for its sailor life.

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