Residents of Mobile, Alabama were thrilled to see the newly built Black Pearl take her first sea trials this week. The 130-foot-long boat–er, ship–which was constructed at Steiner Shipyards in Mobile, is nearly ready to set off on her maiden voyage to the Caribbean island of Dominica, where she will take on a starring role in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST. The Zone thanks emma and Reemi for posting several stories on the News & Views forum about the Black Pearl’s impending launch; thanks, too, to emma for the photographs on the Recent Pics forum. You can see a larger picture of the Pearl HERE.

All the Pearl needs is to be fitted with her tall sails, and she’s ready to embark. But of course The Black Pearl is “not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That’s what a ship needs; but what a ship is … what the Black Pearl really is … is freedom.” Bon voyage to the Pearl and her gallant crew–we wish we could stow away!