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Seafaring delegations from around the world are descending on Concon in Chile for the grand finale of the Sails of Latin America 2018 international boat show.
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Members of Concon's city council and Mayor Oscar Sumonte welcomed on Friday 80 delegations from Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil.
Ancient ships and merchant vessels from around the world now line the docks of the coastal town, abrim with tourists, historians and boating fanatics since late March.
"It is an honor and a pride to receive these vessels in our port, each with its history and trajectory," said Nestor Lagraña, president of the Provincial Ports Office, of the fleet of ships from Spain, Mexico, Uruguay, Panama, Argentina, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Brazil bobbing gently in the harbor.
Every weekend, for 157 days, a new wave of ships enters the harbor to tour the Caribbean and Latin American coasts, traveling more than 12,000 nautical miles (19.312 km).
According to Lagraña, the event has so far been a success, with more than 8,000 visitors registered by early May. This was swiftly followed by a surge of more than 25,000 new festivalgoers later in the month.
A representative of the Chilean Navy, Captain Cristian Pfeiffer, said: "It has been a great opportunity to share with the countries that participate in Velas Latin America, on the occasion of the 200 years of the Chilean Navy, and it is also the end of the Month Of The Sea, and it is a very good opportunity to share with the civil authority and the arms of the neighbors of society."
Featuring cultural demonstrations and gastronomic indulgences from across the continent, the boat show runs until June 11.
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