Homecoming voyage of NEW ERA/跨世紀號回娘家
A multitude of people gathered at the Star of the Ocean Plaza with enthusiasm to join the welcoming rally for the homeward voyage of sailboat New Era. The rally symbolic of the merger of Kaohsiung city and harbor was organized by KCG. After two and a half years of sailing, New Era finally returned to Kaohsiung Harbor on May 19. Mayor Hsieh welcomed Captain Nelson Liu and his six crew members received a hero's welcome by Mayor Hsieh as they completed the dream tour of circling the world. Renowned painter Liu Chi-wei gave his son Captain Liu a big hug as they reunited. With chocked voice, the father said, "You've come a long way!"
"Now that you have set foot on the land, you need a pair of shoes." Hsieh said as he gave each crew member a pair of shoes. "Kaohsiung citizens are so proud of you!" he continued. Hsieh also shook hands with the boatsmen to extend his warm welcome.
New Era set sail from Kaohsiung Harbor on December 24, 1998. For the past two and a half years, the odyssey of more than 28,000 nautical miles traversed three oceans, seven seas, and over twenty countries and sixty ports. It is the first Chinese sailboat to have successfully circumnavigated the globe.
由高雄市政府舉辦，象徵市港合一的「高雄港回娘家－希望之旅返航」活動，在海洋之星熱鬧展開，雖然當時下著滂沱大雨，卻澆不熄民眾的熱情。帶著萬人祝福完成環繞世界一周夢想的「跨世紀號」帆船，經過兩年半的航行，終於在5月19日返回高雄港，船長劉寧生等6名船員，受到謝市長英雄式的歡迎，劉寧生的父親、知名老畫家劉其偉，在港邊擁抱愛子，場面感人溫馨。
市府特地組成船隊出海歡迎「跨世紀號」歸來，「跨世紀號」進入高雄港後，由二艘港務局工作船左右伴隨，並一路以灑水的「洗塵」儀式歡迎。
謝市長陪伴名畫家劉其偉，在岸上等待歡迎「跨世紀號」回娘家。十餘名先行回台的體驗員也趕來歡迎伙伴，岸上的人潮早已擠得水泄不通。劉船長一上岸，立即上前緊緊抱著老父，眼裡泛著興奮、想家的淚光，劉其偉哽咽著說：「辛苦了！」
「踏上陸地了！需要一雙鞋子！」謝市長立即送上一雙鞋子給劉寧生等人。「高雄市民以你為榮！」謝市長並一一與船員握手，歡迎他們歸來。
1998年12月24日「跨世紀號」由高雄港出發，兩年半來，飄過三大洋、七大海、二十多個國家、六十多個港口，航行了28000多浬，締造了第一位華人駕駛無動力帆船環繞世界一周的光榮紀錄。