ARM Cuauhtémoc – vessel fostering maritime diplomacy

The arrival of the Mexican Navy Sail Training Vessel, ARM Cuauhtémoc (BE-01), known as the “Ambassador and Knight of the Seas,” to the Port of Kingston from April 21 to 23, highlights Mexico’s maritime diplomacy and underscores growing significance of the sea as a vast space for global communication.

Named after the last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc (1497-1525), whose name means “the eagle that descends on its prey,” the ship honours his spirit of strength, combativeness, and defiance against Spanish domination. The figurehead depicts the emperor, symbolising his enduring legacy.

Construction of the Cuauhtémoc began in 1981 at the Celaya Shipyards in Bilbao, Spain. The keel was laid on July 24, 1981, and the hull launched on January 9, 1982. The ship was handed over to its first crew on July 29, 1982, under Captain C.G. DEM. Manuel Zermeño del Peón, at the Transatlantic Pier in Santurce, Spain.

On September 25, 1982, the Cuauhtémoc was officially commissioned in the port of Veracruz, Veracruz, by President José López Portillo. It was then proudly flagged as a symbol of Mexico, carrying the mission of cultivating the seafaring spirit in future officers of the Mexican Navy.

The Cuauhtémoc Training Ship has forged the character of the generations of cadets who have had the privilege of training on it, at sea, and has carried out important diplomatic work, by representing Mexico on the voyages cadets undertake. More than just a vessel, Cuauhtémoc is a bridge between cultures, sharing the traditions of Mexico’s naval history with the world.

Thus, the future officers of the Mexican Navy are heirs to a long history that began with the first voyages across the Atlantic and consolidated some of the institutions that are a source of pride for Mexicans: the Secretariat of the Navy, the Heroic Naval Military School, and the training ships where the cadets have been trained. Over this period, the Cuauhtémoc has sailed enough nautical miles to circle the Earth around the Equator several times, as a testament to its power.

INSPIRED GENERATIONS

The vessel has inspired generations of cadets by promoting ethical values, such as: honour, duty, loyalty, and patriotism, combined with discipline, teamwork, responsibility, professionalism, determination, courage, constant vigilance, leadership, and unity.

With sails unfurled and the horizon ahead, the Sailing Training Ship Cuauhtémoc began its 45th Training Cruise on April 6, under the motto “Consolidation of Independence”. On board are 147 cadets from the Heroic Naval Military School. Over the next 254 days, they will strengthen their professional training and tour 22 ports in 15 countries in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe, being the Port of Kingston, one of the most important visits for the Government of Mexico.

History has seen Cuauhtémoc’s influence all around the globe for than 42 years, by sailing more than 894,073 nautical miles, spending 6,863 days at sea. The Mexican Navy Sail Training Vessel, has visited more than 71 countries and 242 ports. The ARM Cuauhtémoc transcends borders by carrying a message of peace, solidarity between nations and goodwill.

Thanks to its successful participation in major maritime festivals and events around the world, the Sail Training Vessel ARM Cuauhtémoc has earned numerous awards and recognitions, including: First place in the “Boston Teapot” competition in 2002, 2003, 2013, and 2024, and second place in 2023; Friendship Trophy Grand Prix in the 2023 Magellan-Elcano Regatta; first place overall in the 2012 Tall Ship Races Regatta; first and second place in the Tall Ship Challenge Regatta; second place in the Colón 92 Regatta and third place in the Osaka 97 Regatta and two Cutty Sark Trophies.

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

It is also important to highlight that the Cuauhtémoc has been a global benchmark for women’s empowerment. It currently has 20 women on its crew and 46 cadets; the first female navigators embarked in 2011, and to this day, it has the largest number of female naval officers from different services. Likewise, the Secretariat of Navy of Mexico, through the Human Rights Promotion and Protection Unit, actively supports a permanent campaign on gender equality and inclusion.

Mexico continues to foster maritime diplomacy in the Caribbean to lay foundations through which the country might share experiences and expertise with the Government of Jamaica on security and defence matters, based on sustainable principles of equity, reciprocity, and common interests to enhance political dialogue in the following areas: military and naval education; military and naval training and building of capabilities, and support as well as training to address national disasters.

The Navy Sail Training Vessel Cuauhtémoc will be open to the public and can be visited during its stay on Monday, April 21, between 12 noon and 8 p.m., and Tuesday, April 22, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at The Port Royal Cruise Terminal, Kingston.

This would be of great interest to pupils, students, government agencies, diplomats and people eager to strengthen their civic and maritime spirit, to learn about Mexico’s history, culture, and traditions, and reflect on the importance of a naval or maritime-related career for young adults.

Article courtesy Embassy of Mexico in Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com