Family members, former marines, military and civilian authorities, and hundreds of onlookers gathered early at the port to welcome the vessel, which arrived escorted by smaller ships under a clear sky. According to the Argentine News Agency, the frigate set sail on June 7th with a crew of 270, including 51 midshipmen, who during the nearly six months of navigation put into practice key knowledge from their training, such as astronomical navigation and leadership. The itinerary included stops in ports in Brazil, Spain, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Costa Rica, the United States, and the Dominican Republic. Its unmistakable silhouette, with its three crossed masts and the Argentine flag fluttering, was spotted around nine in the morning. The voyage had begun on June 7, 2025, when the ARA Libertad frigate set course for Recife, Brazil. Meanwhile, sailor Mateo González summarized the experience as "an incredible life experience." Another example of contained excitement was that of Santiago, whose parents, who had traveled from Punta Alta, hugged him emotionally. "The wait was long, but now he's here with me," his mother said with tears in her eyes. The ARA Libertad frigate, world-renowned for its elegance and a traveling ambassador for Argentina, thus concluded a new training voyage. The vessel, which will remain in the port for activities and maintenance, already has its next trip scheduled for 2026. The emblematic training ship of the Argentine Navy, the ARA Libertad frigate, docked this Sunday morning at the Port of Buenos Aires, putting an end to its 53rd training voyage. The reunion of the crew with their loved ones was filled with deep emotion, expressed in hugs, tears, and flags. The historic voyage spanned 169 days of navigation and covered an impressive circumnavigation of 39,700 kilometers, including visits to 10 international ports. After 10:00, the ship's arrival at the north dock marked the official end of its mission. Families waited on the pier with signs while the Navy's band accompanied the ceremony. Stories of reunion were repeated along the dock. One of the female sailors, still with the adrenaline of disembarking, could barely express her joy: "Very happy to reunite with my family... it was six very long months." Beside her, another crew member completed the experience: "Of learning, of experience."
