THIS is the vessel that set a world record.

Now Southampton residents will have the chance to go on board and see it up close.

Known as an ambassador of the seas, the Argentinian sailing ship will be dropping anchor in Southampton next week.

On Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29, residents will be able to visit the ship in Southampton port.

Alastair Welch, director of Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton, said: “This is a great opportunity for local people to visit the frigate ARA Libertad – we look forward to welcoming her to the Port of Southampton.”

In her role as ambassador of the seas, the vessel carries a message of peace, friendship and a will to build bridges with the world.

The figurehead at the front of the 103.70m-long vessel represents the Republic and its rooted sense of liberty.

It received the Gran Medalla in 1966 and also set the world speed record, which still remains, for a sailing ship crossing the North Atlantic, covering 2,058 miles from Cape Race, in Canada, to the line between Dublin and Liverpool, in just eight days and 12 hours.

The ship’s maiden voyage took place in 1963 under the command of Captain Horacio Ferrari.

Since then, she has spent 17 of her 53 years at sea, covering over 800,000 nautical miles and visiting over 500 ports in 60 countries.

The Argentinian ambassador to the United Kingdom R. Carlos Sersale di Cerisano will welcome the crew of 27 officers, 187 non-commissioned officers and 61 training officers in an official ceremony at Southampton dock on Wednesday July 26.

The ship’s arrival at the docks of Southampton will mark the half-way point on the 46th midshipman training voyage, a journey spanning six months, including 13 ports, and 10 foreign countries, four from the American Continent and nine from Europe.

Residents who would like to visit the vessel next weekend will need to access the port by dock gate 4 and those arriving by car can pay to park in the short stay car park nearby.

The vessel will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm.