THE
SHIP
Amerigo Vespucci is a sailing Training Ship of the Italian Navy, equipped with an auxiliary electric engine. It is classified as a “full-rigged ship,” meaning it has three vertical masts – foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast (all fitted with yards and square sails) – plus a bowsprit extending forward at the bow. The vessel is also equipped with fore-and-aft sails: the jibs at the bow, the staysails between the masts, and the spanker on the mizzenmast.
TYPE OF NAVAL UNIT
Training Ship
CLASS
Three-masted sailing ship with bowsprit
LAUNCH
22 February 1931
DESIGNER
Lt. Col. GN Francesco Rotundi
COMMANDING OFFICER
Capt. Nicasio Falica (114° Commander)
TOTAL CREW
264 military personnel
LATEST WORLD TOUR
2023-2025
LENGHT
101 m (overall)
BEAM
28 m
MASTS
Bowsprit 18 m
Foremast 52 m
Mainmast 56 m
Mizzenmast 45 m
DRAFT
7.3 m
DISPLACEMENT
4,300 tons
SPEED
15 knots under sail / 11 knots under motor power
SAIL AREA
2,635 m²
BOATS
11 (2 motor launches, 2 work boats, 2 utility launches, 4 dinghies, 1 whaleboat)
THE
HISTORY
Amerigo Vespucci is the oldest ship still in service with the Italian Navy. Built and outfitted at the Royal Shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia, it was launched on 22 February 1931. Delivered to the Royal Navy on 26 May 1931, Vespucci entered service as a Training Ship on 6 June of the same year, alongside its sister ship Cristoforo Colombo. The latter, commissioned in 1928, served as a training vessel until 1943 and, at the end of World War II, was handed over to the Soviet Union as war reparations.
After returning from its first training cruise, on 15 October 1931 in Genoa, Vespucci received its Battle Flag, presented by the local UNUCI Group (National Union of Reserve Officers of Italy).
Its motto, “Not he who begins but he who perseveres,” attributed to the renowned Renaissance scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci, highlights the value of perseverance over the mere act of starting a project.
1931 – Castellammare di Stabia Shipyard
1931 – Launch of Amerigo Vespucci
c. 1940 – The vessels RN Amerigo Vespucci and RN Cristoforo Colombo on the Grand Canal in front of St. Mark’s
1954 – Celebration of the re-annexation of Trieste to Italy
1960 – Olympic Torch on board the Amerigo Vespucci
1963 – Stolen kisses, Naples
1964 – Meeting with USS Independence
1965 – Sailing out of the port of Taranto under Admiral Straulino’s command
1966 – The Princes of Monaco, Rainier III and Grace Kelly, on board the Amerigo Vespucci
THE
ACTIVITIES
Since entering service, the Vespucci has carried out training activities almost every year, primarily for cadets of the Naval Academy, but also for students of the “F. Morosini” Naval School, helmsmen cadets, and young members of sailing associations such as the Italian Naval League, the Sail Training Association Italy, and ANMI. On board, they are taught the basics of life at sea as well as specialized skills in various areas: seamanship, ship handling, engine and auxiliary systems operation, and the management of logistical, administrative, and medical issues.
From 1931 to the present, the Ship has completed 87 Training Cruises, each averaging three months, mainly visiting foreign ports. These cruises have included the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Atlantic, North and South America, as well as a circumnavigation of the globe between 2002 and 2003, and the latest tour from 2023 to 2025.
In addition to its training role, the Ship also performs an important function in international representation, known as Naval Diplomacy, promoting the image of the Italian Navy and the country abroad.
For over 30 years, Amerigo Vespucci has also been committed to the protection of natural heritage and the marine environment, collaborating with organizations such as UNICEF, WWF, and Marevivo. During the 2023–2025 World Tour, it brought Italy to major ports around the world, establishing itself as a true itinerant Ambassador of Made in Italy and UNESCO values.
THE CREW
The true “engine” of Amerigo Vespucci is its crew, composed of 264 military personnel: 15 Officers, 30 Petty Officers, 34 Sergeants, and 185 Non-Commissioned and Enlisted personnel, organized into the Operations, Seamanship, Ship Systems, Logistics, Deck, and Medical departments. During the Training Cruise, the crew is fully integrated with the cadets and support staff from the Naval Academy, bringing the total personnel on board to around 400.
LIFE ON BOARD
COME
ABOARD
Experience the unique opportunity to see the most beautiful ship in the world up close.
Come aboard and take your souvenir photos. The crew members will be happy to answer all your questions along the way.
Amerigo Vespucci is currently not open to visitors and is docked in La Spezia for maintenance work, necessary to preserve its efficiency and charm. Any opportunities for visits, if and when available, will be announced on the official website and social media channels @tourvespucci.
