The Tall Ships have arrived in Belfast once again, with thousands flocking to see what are essential just big boats with pretty sails attached.
Belfast has a rich naval tradition - its most famous export being the Titanic which, deemed 'unsinkable', successfully crossed the Atlantic in 1912 with no incident what so ever. The titanic sailed for a further 85 years until 1997, when an ill fated celebrity cruise sank, killing (amongst others) young star Leonardo Di Caprio.
The arrival of the big boats will generate an estimated £37 of profit for Belfast City Council (taking into account the cost of policing, ambulance cover etc) and Lord Mayoress of Belfast, Naomi Long, was visibly excited, climbing the mast of the first ship to dock and shouting about pirates.
The pirate theme began early for the tall ships, with one Dutch crew being playfully 'pirated' by men with golf clubs early on Tuesday evening.
Traffic in the City of Belfast has come to a stand still - local transport company Translink reporting that the daily shuttle bus to the center of Belfast is constantly full. The good people of the City of Derry are having problems getting down to see the big boats, Translink are blaming traffic congestion but sources inside City Hall in Belfast have leaked that they really just don't want them down this way.
For more exciting Northern Ireland Maritime news, please see our previous stories including:
Titanic - How to spend millions celebrating an EPIC FAILURE
Titanic - Since we can't find it, lets spend £2,000,000 refurbishing the little boat that ferried passengers to it
Titanic - It was fine when it left Belfast
Titanic - Northern Ireland's second most popular export (after Feargal Sharkey)
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