As Patron of the International Festival of the Sea since 1998, I have been delighted by the success
of this unique event which is such a broad celebration of the sea.
2005 will be the 200th Anniversary of the great sea battle of Trafalgar, and to mark this occasion the Festival
will be back with the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, from where the British Fleet under the command of Admiral Lord
Nelson sailed in 1805 and where his great flagship Victory is preserved. Navies from across the world will join
the Royal Navy in the Solent for an International Fleet Review and many of the ships will then come alongside
in the Naval Base to take part in the Festival.
Not only does the International Festival of the Sea bring to life past and present heroes and maritime heritage,
but it also addresses so many aspects of the maritime world, which are with us today.
Whilst the importance of the sea cannot be overstated as we rely on it for 95% of our trade, water sports and
sailing also bring enormous pleasure to more and more people in their leisure time.
With 2005 appropriately designated as the 'Year of the Sea' the Festival of the Sea has a particularly
important, informative, and entertaining role to play and I hope that it will attract great support from
all those interested in Britain's maritime heritage — past, present and future.
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