'Liechtenstein Navy' Makes OSC Port Call

The Liechtenstein Princely Navy raises money. Photo: Jonathan Wong 'Liechtenstein navy' makes OSC port call Celine Sun Given the recent cancellation of a United States port call, a Hong Kong-based "navy" - the Liechtenstein Princely Navy - decided to step into the void. While painting streets of Lan Kwai Fong red last Friday night, the sharp-looking officers also showed their support for Operation Santa Claus. All in white naval uniforms, more than 20 members of the Liechtenstein Princely Navy, the only European dragon boat team in the city, gathered at a bar to celebrate a "white" Christmas with their friends. Founded in 2000 by "admiral" Silvan Colani, whose full-time job is the senior representative of the Liechtenstein Global Trust in Hong Kong, the dragon boat team now consists of more than 30 "commanders", "sailors" and "seamen" from Switzerland, Belgium, Britain, other European countries and the United States. Most are involved in banking. "We had been planning for a gathering for a long time," said the admiral, but it was not until the visit by the US Navy was cancelled that they decided to launch a rescue operation. "We are more than happy to do our share for the local charities at the same time." The highlight of the night came when the admiral hosted a special auction of two "ugly blue paddling shirts". Everybody chipped in cash to order a seaman and a captain, who were absent from the party, to wear the ugly shirts in every competition and training session over the entire season next year. The money raised went to Operation Santa Claus. "If they are not willing to do it, they have to donate the same amount raised by all the other people tonight," said Mr Silvan. The smart idea netted some HK$2,800 and elicited howls of laughter from everyone at the party. Sailor Alexander Beck, the only team member actually from Liechtenstein, said that on the day after his arrival in Hong Kong some friends had dragged him to Stanley at 6am to train with the Liechtenstein Princely Navy. "It's been great to know so many good friends here," the sailor said. "Aside from the dragon boat, we also play soccer and rugby together. I was almost not willing to go back to Liechtenstein."