ARM Cuauhtémoc BE-01 – Tricontinental 2024 (Singapore, 22-27 August 2024)

Hanson Seah

NEWS | 39 IMAGES

Mexican Navy (Spanish: Armada de México) tall ship ARM Cuauhtémoc is current alongside VivoCity, Singapore, 22 to 27 August 2024 as part of training cruise “Tricontinental 2024”. During the six-day port call, members of the public will be able to tour the ship, dubbed a “living showcase of Mexican pride and honour”.

01. ARM Cuauhtémoc coming alongside VivoCity on 22 August 2024.

Tricontinental 2024 (6 May – 14 December 2024)

Commanded by Captain Victor Hugo Molina Perez, ARM Cuauhtémoc set sail for ‘Tricontinental 2024’ on 6 May 2024 from Acapulco in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. The 222-day training cruise takes the vessel to 13 different ports in 10 friendly countries – United States of America, Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. Amongst the 261-strong crew are 6 captains, 42 officers, 96 cadets 113 sailors, as well as 2 guest officers each from Guatemalan and Dominican Republic navies.

72% of the voyage will be at sea, giving the crew ample opportunities to build up nautical knowledge and perfect the art of sailing. In port, the crew and the ship, ambassadors of the country, through cultural exchanges and tours, carry the message of peace and goodwill of the Mexican people to the world. For final year cadets of the HEMM (Spanish: Heroica Escuela Naval Militar, English: Mexican Navy Officer Training School), a training cruise on ARM Cuauhtémoc is a major milestone that prepares them to be future Commanding Officers of the Mexican Navy.

‘Tricontinental 2024’ is not the first. For more than four decades, ARM Cuauhtémoc has been frequently embarking on training voyages around the world. In 2017 the ‘Centenary of the Constitution’ also visited Singapore (which we covered), whilst last year ‘Ibero-Bizantino 2023’ visited the European continent.

ARM Cuauhtémoc – El Embajador y Caballero de los mares

ARM Cuauhtémoc, affectionally known as ‘El Embajador y Caballero de los mares’ (English: The Ambassador and Knight of the Seas), is a steel hulled, three-mast barque commissioned in 1982. She is the last of four similar barques built by Astilleros Celaya S.A. in Bilbao, Spain for Latin American navies, the other three half-sister ships being the Colombian ARC Gloria (1968), the Ecuadoran BAE Guayas (1977), and the Venezuelan Simón Bolívar (1980).

In naval terminology, a barque is classified as sailing vessel with three or more masts, the foremast and mainmast being square-rigged, the mizzenmast rigged fore and aft. This sail plan led the Golden Age of Sail in the mid-19th century, advantageous due to a leaner operating crew and balanced performance over a variety of wind conditions.

In addition, ARM Cuauhtémoc is also equipped with a 1,125 hp (839 kW) diesel engine driving a single propellor shaft. It is used for navigation within enclosed harbours and busy sea lanes, capable of speeds up to 10 knots.

ARM Cuauhtémoc’s namesake honours the last Aztec Emperor Cuauhtémoc, who reigned in the post classical period of 1521 – 1525. He ascended the throne in a period of great uncertainty for Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), after the death of Moctezuma II’s successor, Cuitláhuac.

With the capture of Moctezuma II and the Alvarado Massacre on 22 May 1520, the Aztecs turned against the Spanish and conducted a full-scale revolt. Moctezuma II was killed under disputed circumstances; one such claim was stoning by his own people on 29 June 1520. He was immediately succeeded by Cuitláhuac, who led the battles that resulted in ‘La Noche Triste’, driving Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his army out of Tenochtitlan by 1 July 1520. Cuitláhuac, would however, rule for only 80 days, succumbing to smallpox introduced by Spanish forces. The disease subsequently took out approximately 50% of the Aztec population.

Cuauhtémoc hence took over during a period of disorder and uncertainty over the next Spanish conquest. Indeed, Cortés was making preparations for a siege which included winning over Aztec subjects, constructing brigantines in Tlaxcala and assembling his army in Texcoco. The siege of Tenochtitlan began May 1521 and culminated with surrender and collapse of the Aztec empire in 13 August 1521. During the brutal 3-month siege, Cuauhtémoc was relentless in the defense of the capital from the Spanish despite facing increasingly unfavorable odds, with little aid from outside and facing a battle of attrition with rampant disease and famine from lack of necessities.

After surrender, Cuauhtémoc was captured and tortured by fire in an attempt by the Spanish to recover gold lost during ‘La Noche Triste’. His stoicism and refusal to give in resulted in little being recovered. Cuauhtémoc remained prisoner until he was hanged for treason in 1525, with a supposed plan to kill Cortés.

For his bravery, heroism, sacrifice, and being the only Aztec emperor to survive a Spanish conquest, Cuauhtémoc has become a symbol of Mexican nationalism. Cuauhtémoc is celebrated in modern day through various means such as arts, music, banknotes, metro stations, and notably the ship ARM Cuauhtémoc.

Sail-In Ceremony

On the morning of 22 August, ARM Cuauhtémoc sailed gracefully into the port of VivoCity to the spirited tunes of Mexican music, a showcase of traditional Mexican outfits, and a charming folk dance performance. At the same time, 76 cadets lined up in formation on the foremast and mainmast of the vessel, balancing at heights of up to 44m. His Excellency Agustín García-López Loaeza, Ambassador of Mexico to Singapore graced the welcome ceremony and was hosted to a reception onboard by Captain Victor Hugo Molina Perez, Commander of ARM Cuauhtémoc.

02. Cadets taking their positions on the masts prior to arrival.
03. ARM Cuauhtémoc (left) and Royal Albatross (right), both barquentines by design.
04. A great deal of courage and dexterity is required to work on the sails, and cadets demonstrate their ability to do so in a spectacular fashion during sail-ins.
05. The ship’s crew showcasing the Veracruz dress which originate from the towns in Papaloapan River Basin.
06. An iconic symbol of traditional Mexican attire, the Sombrero, is paired with a Charro suit for the male. For the female, it is paired with a folklore dress and a Rebozo.
07. Female cadets manning their stations on the bowsprit. ‘Tricontinental 2024’ features one of the largest female crew in the ship’s history, with 53 women out of a total crew of 261.
08. Singapore habour pilots assisting the captain in the berthing operation.
09. All hands on deck to safely align the ship into the dock.
10. A boatswain call is a tradition naval method used to issue commands.
11. Captain Victor Hugo Molina Perez, Commander of ARM Cuauhtémoc, greets His Excellency Agustín García-López Loaeza, Ambassador of Mexico to Singapore.
12. His Excellency the ambassador commends the ship’s captain and crew for carrying the message of peace and goodwill of the Mexican people.
13. His Excellency Agustín García-López Loaeza, Ambassador of Mexico to Singapore is full of vim and vigor as he delivers his speech.
14. Folk dance is another highly valued cultural asset of Mexico. Guests were treated to a captivating performance of a folk dance originating from the state of Veracruz.
15. Dancers and the ship’s crew soaking in the festive atmosphere, radiant smiles filling the group photo.
16. His Excellency Agustín García-López Loaeza, Ambassador of Mexico to Singapore, is hosted to a reception onboard ARM Cuauhtémoc.

Ship Tour Highlights

17. Bow of ARM Cuauhtémoc.
18. The naval jack of Mexican Navy, flow at the bow. On the tip of the bowsprit is the Virgin of Guadalupe.
19. Closeup of the figurehead, Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec Emperor.
20. Main deck of ARM Cuauhtémoc.
21. Once alongside, cadets work tirelessly to protect the vessel from corrosion, cleaning off saltwater residue and applying grease.
22. ‘Trinquete’ plaque, indicating the foremast. On the mainmast and mizzenmast, one can find ‘Mayor’ and ‘Mesana’ markers respectively.
23. Looking from the bow towards the stern, with the mainmast visible. Combined ARM Cuauhtémoc has a sail area of 25,489 sq ft (2,368 sq m).
24. Cadets polishing one of the ship’s ceremonial guns.
25. A busy kitchen with lunch preparations underway.
26. Plaque detailing the mission of school ship ‘Cuauhtémoc’, “exalting the sailor spirit of the future officers of the Mexican Navy”, to “transmit the message of friendship and goodwill of Mexico”, and to “proudly fly the Mexican flag in ports and seas of the world”.
27. The crest of ARM Cuauhtémoc can be found throughout the ship. The right (east) side details the wind god Ehécatl, the left (west) side details the setting sun, the top (north) side details navigation via fixed sidereal stars. The upper part of the crest features the Mexican Coat of Arms.
28. ARM Cuauhtémoc escutcheon.
29. ARM Cuauhtémoc’s bell and inscribed motto “Por la exaltacion del espiritu marinero“.
30. Main helm of ARM Cuauhtémoc, located midship.
31. A view of the funnel and location of the engine.
32. Inscriptions of Quetzalcóatl, the Aztec dragon, can also be found throughout the ship. Quetzalcóatl was one of the most revered gods in Aztec culture, representing the God of life, light and wisdom.
33. Helm located aft of the ship.
34. ARM Cuauhtémoc dressed overall. Flags paraded include those of Tall Ship Races she has participated in.
35. The black pirate flag is the captain’s flag, renewed with every change in command.
36. Stern of ARM Cuauhtémoc, Quetzalcoatl inscriptions are also seen.
37. The flag of Mexico flies gracefully from the jiggermast, capturing the attention of many passer-bys.
38. ARM Cuauhtémoc at daylight.
39. ARM Cuauhtémoc at night.

Public Visiting Details

The public are welcome to visit ARM Cuauhtémoc during the timings listed below to explore more about the cultural and historical aspects of this magnificent vessel. The friendly crew of the Mexican Navy are always on deck and happy to answer questions.

  • Location: VivoCity, The Promenade (VivoCity Waterfront Boardwalk), Singapore 098585
  • Public Visit:
    • August 22: 12.00pm – 8.00 pm
    • August 23: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
    • August 24, 25, & 26: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm
  • Sail-away:
    • August 27, 10.00am
  • Admission is FREE
  • For more information, do check out Embassy of Mexico in Singapore’s Facebook

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