Mariners enjoy a cultural visit to Delfin S61

In true Busman’s holiday style, or in this case, a submariner’s holiday, the officers and crew from the Cartagena based Spanish Navy submarine S-73 Mistral, embarked on a day trip to Torrevieja to visit one of their forbearers, the Delfin S61 Submarine.

The group of 60 mariners were offered the opportunity of a cultural visit and along with Councillors for Culture and Tourism plus Local security and policing, Luis Maria Pizana and Eduardo Gil Rebollo, started their tour with a visit to Spain’s only deactivated Submarine, which is open to the public, the Delfin S61.

Led by Lieutenant Commander, Juan Tourico.

The men and women who make up the crew of Mistral were afforded an extensive cultural journey through the city of Torrevieja, visiting the Museum of Sea and Salt, the floating museums of the Navy Submarine S-61 Dolphin, the Customs Patrol Boat Albatross III and the Pascual Flores along with the Municipal Theatre and Museum of Natural History in Torrevieja.

Each year more than 100,000 people visit Torrevieja’s floating museums.

The 32 meter long Albatros III was used by the coastguards as a patrol boat and became a floating museum in Torrevieja in March 2006.

The 57.8 meter long S-61 Delfin Submarine has eight compartments that visitors can explore.

It was part of the Spanish fleet from 1973 to 2003, after which it became a tourist attraction in Torrevieja. The Pascual Flores was the last boat to be built on the beaches of Torrevieja, in 1917.

Once one of the stars boats in the BBC Onedin Line TV Series, she has been completely rebuilt and used for special occasions only at present, and not available to for the public to visit. The S-61 Delfin Submarine is another example of the seafaring tradition of the city.

In 1971 Torrevieja delivered the battle flag to the S-61 and 33 years, the city welcomed it back; the first vessel of the Spanish Armada that is configured as a floating museum, a visit must not forget.

From stem to stern visitors can see for themselves the torpedo chamber, the area for commissioned officers, engine room, periscope, the operations centre, the wardroom and the torpedo area in the bow of the ship.

The surface speed was about 13.5 knots and 15.5 immersion, with a staff of Commander, seven officers, 15 non-commissioned officers and 33 sailors.

Admission is free and includes a guided tour.

More information from www.turismodetorrevieja.com