The Tall Ships Festival has begun in Boothbay Harbor! The three majestic ships arrived on Thursday.

The Tall Ships Festival, possible through a partnership between Tall Ships of America and Friends of Windjammer Days (FWD), features tours of three of the four ships: Nao Santa Maria – for a second time, the Privateer Lynx and, making its first appearance in the Harbor, Spirit of Bermuda. Tickets to tour all three ships are $20 in advance and $25 the day of one of the tours and are available through Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3j0xVsr. Tickets are sold for either the morning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or the afternoon session from 1 to 4 p.m. A limited amount of tickets will be available at the FWD tent in Whale Park each of the three days. The fourth Tall Ship, Alert, will offer custom tours; visit https://bit.ly/3xJ4AqF  to book.

These historic vessels have limited accessibility for people with physical disabilities. Guests boarding ships must be able to walk up a gangway and handle vertical ship stairs and ladders if present. Please be aware, at low tide the gangways down to the ships will be exceptionally steep. Appropriate footwear is recommended.

SPIRIT OF BERMUDA
https://bermudasloop.org/

Billed as the core of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation youth development program is the sail training vessel and national icon Spirit of Bermuda. Focusing on middle school students, Spirit of Bermuda was built with the purpose of teaching the seagoing traditions of Bermuda along with providing a safe and transformational experience for youth. Her sparred length is 118’ and she carries 3 masts. Spirit of Bermuda was constructed in Rockport, Maine and has provided life changing experiences to more than 4,500 young people. Captain Alex Peacock will be at her helm. Alex is the son of Don Peacock, Captain of the Tall Ship Lynx. We are delighted to have these two skilled father and son captains joining us for this very special celebration.

LYNX
https://tallshiplynx.com/

Lynx is an interpretation of a privateer named Lynx built by Thomas Kemp in 1812 in Fell’s Point, Maryland. She was among the first ships to defend American freedom by evading the British naval fleet then blockading American ports and serving in the important privateering efforts. She is 122’ at sparred length with 2 masts. Today, the Tall Ship Lynx is a non-partisan, educational organization, dedicated to hands-on educational programs that teach the history of America’s struggle to preserve its independence. The maritime challenges during the War of 1812 are taught aboard the American Privateer Schooner Lynx utilizing a comprehensive, interactive program designed to enrich personal achievement through teamwork and the discipline of sail training.

NAO SANTA MARIA

In 2018, a spectacular replica of the Santa Maria was launched off the coast of Spain by the non-profit Nao Victoria Foundation. Nao Santa Maria is a full-scale replica of La Santa Maria, the largest of the three Spanish ships used by Columbus in his first voyage. Nao Santa Maria has been adapted with innovative systems for greater maneuverability and durability. With 5 decks, 4 iron masts, and a sparred length of 95', she's a sight to be seen atop of the sea. The Nao Santa Maria is recognized all over the world as a symbol of history. She sails through ports around the world to educate visitors about seafarer traditions, and is a welcome addition to our historical maritime event.