In accordance with the protocol signed between the TRNC Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Near East Enterprises, the 66-year-old TEAL Ship belonging to the University of Kyrenia, an important part of maritime history, will be a Maritime History Museum.

Having spent the last 27 years at the Near East University and University of Kyrenia as a training and research ship and training dozens of captains, the 66-year-old TEAL Ship will be the Maritime History Museum, founded by the Near East Enterprises. As the Maritime History Museum, TEAL will host more than 5 thousand materials such as paintings, photographs, maritime objects, ship models, and nautical maps.

A protocol was signed between the Near East Enterprises and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport for TEAL to become a Maritime History Museum. With the protocol sign by the Near East Enterprises Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel and the Minister of Public Works and Transport of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay, the process of transforming TEAL into a museum has begun.

Part of maritime history
TEAL, which was produced at Liverpool shipyards in 1955 to be used as a minesweeper in the United Kingdom Navy, was transferred to the Australian Navy after many years of use in the British Navy. TEAL, which also served here as a military ship, continued to be used in different areas such as passenger transportation, fishing and water sports tourism in Tanzania and the Caribbean after its retirement. In 1994, it was brought to the TRNC to be used as a Training and Research Ship at the Near East University Maritime Faculty. TEAL, which is currently used as a training and research ship by the University of Kyrenia Maritime Faculty, will continue to serve as a museum of maritime history, of which it is an important part.

At the ceremony held for the transformation of TEAL into a Maritime History Museum, Near East Enterprises Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel and the Minister of Public Works and Transport of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay made speeches.

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “TEAL will be the pearl of the museums founded by the Near East Enterprises.”
Speaking on the TEAL's place in the maritime history at the protocol ceremony, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East Enterprises Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “TEAL was born in 1955 in the United Kingdom Navy. After retiring from this navy, it was used as a fishing ship in Australia, Tanzania, the Caribbean, and was used for water sports tourism. Carrying deep traces of maritime history in many areas of the world's seas, TEAL came to our island in 1994. Since then, it has provided very important services in our Maritime Faculty. TEAL has trained many qualified captains who have taken the title of shipmaster by being captains of ships traveling in the world's waters, navigating all the seas and oceans. From now on, it will continue to serve for the culture and tourism of our country as the Maritime History Museum.”

Defining TEAL, which will turn into a Maritime History Museum, as "the pearl of museums founded by the Near East Enterprises", Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said that TEAL, which is a very important part of maritime history, will host more than 5 thousand works that shed light on the maritime history of the country and the world as the Maritime History Museum.

Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “TEAL will continue to serve as a museum as a monument of the Near East Enterprises commitment to tourism, culture, our roots and traditions. I wish the best for our country."

Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay: “TEAL will continue to keep the maritime history alive in our country with its new mission as a museum.”
Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay, Minister of Public Works and Transport of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, started her speech by saying “With the protocol we signed, a project that will add great value to our country in the field of museums will come to life”. Minister Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay said, “The Near East Enterprises has been making great contributions to our country with its initiatives in the field of museology. The museum and cultural environment is a very important factor in promoting the country and increasing the number of tourists by diversifying it, as well as protecting our cultural values."

Reminding that TEAL has an impressive history dating back to the British Navy until today, Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay said, “While looking at TEAL, one cannot stop thinking about what he has experienced and witnessed.” Eroğlu Canaltay said, "As the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, we think that a Maritime Museum will be a great benefit to the country's tourism and culture," and said, "TEAL will continue to keep the maritime history alive with its new mission as a museum. I do believe that it will add an important value to our country and to the history of humanity. I wish you good luck.”