App users, tap here to watch video report.
By Lisa Adams
ERIE, Pa. (Erie News Now) – Two of the ships visiting for the Tall Ships Erie 2022 festival arrived in port on Wednesday.
The Appledore IV and the Pride of Baltimore II docked at Dobbins Landing along with the Lettie G. Howard for a VIP welcome party, sunset sails and a charter trip all in advance of the festival.
The official kickoff is on Thursday at 4:00 PM when five visiting tall ships join the Flagship Niagara and the Lettie in the Parade of Sail around Presque Isle Bay.
Many people will watch from the shore all around the bay.
Those watching from the water in their recreational boats must get no closer than 100 yards to any of the tall ships, and that’s a rule that will be enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Local sailor have signed up as escort boats to help the Coast Guard establish a moving safety zone to keep spectators on the water at the proper distance from the parade of sail route.
In 2019, spectator boats did get too close, and that forced the tall ships to shorten their parade route,
In addition to that moving safety zone, buoys will be set up to mark the route.
The 7 tall ships, under full sail will be maintaining a speed of 4.5 knots through the parade route, and using their auxiliary engines if needed to maintain a safe space of 600 feet apart.
Ship captains already in port are excited for the Parade of Sail, and to see all their sister ships under full sail. Master Captain Matthew Gibas from the Appledore IV called it “glorious.”
Leave a Reply