Operation Sail refers to a series of sailing events held to celebrate special occasions and features sailing vessels from around the world. Each event is coordinated by Operation Sail, Inc., a non-profit organization established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy and must be approved by the United States Congress. Often referred to as OpSail or Op Sail, the event has the goals of promoting good will and cooperation between countries while providing sail training and celebrating maritime history. It is also sometimes erroneously referred to as "Tall Ships". While the tall ships form the centerpiece of the event, smaller sailing vessels also participate. Op Sail events, when scheduled, are run concurrently with the annual International Naval Review, which features present-day warships from various navies. Five Op Sail events have been held to date, in 1964, 1976, 1986, 1992 and 2000. The event culminates in the Parade of Ships on the Hudson River and in New York harbor on July 4, Independence Day. The United States Coast Guard cutter Eagle has been the host vessel to all five Op Sail events.
Along with Nils Hansell, Frank Braynard launched the world's first Operation Sail, an extravanganza in which tall ships and naval vessels filled New York harbor, in 1964.
Contents |
The inaugural Opsail was a tie-in with the 1964 New York World's Fair. Operation sail 1964: Four years in the making, Operation Sail is an international effort to promote goodwill and to generate awareness of ships and shipping. It is a dream come true for sailing enthusiasts, and a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone who is stirred by the sight of a square rigger under full sail.
Many nations maintain sailing ships in this machine age because they believe there is no better way to build character in young men than sail training. It encourages initiative, steadfastness, leadership and personal courage .... the records of the brotherhood of the sea sparkle with innumerable examples of the value of such training. The prestige of having served aboard a windjammer is no small matter.
To reach New York for the July 14 parade up the Hudson River, some of these tall ships will have sailed from their home ports as long ago as early March. Some will have raced from Plymouth, England, to Lisbon, Portugal, then 3000 miles across the Atlantic to Bermuda rendezvous, and a 630 mile northwest run, in company, to New York.
These ships are specifically built for training under sail. As these tall ships plough the oceans, the men who man this great fleet are helping to forge a bond of understanding and mutual respect around the world. As you visit the ships and talk with their officers, crews, and trainees, consider the thirteen participating nations, the thousands of people involved in such a gathering, the countless man hours spent in preparations which have resulted in this great spectacle OPERATION SAIL.
(Taken from Operation sail guide book 1964.)
Celebration of the United States Bicentennial, the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence. Of the relatively few tall ships that were in service around the world at the time, 16 sailed to New York to participate in the Parade of Ships. Each of the ships flew a banner featuring the tricolor star insignia of the Bicentennial.
| Participants in the 1976 Parade of Ships | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Amerigo Vespucci (Italy) |
Gloria (Colombia) |
Regina Maris (USA) |
Celebrating the Statue of Liberty centennial
| Participants in the 1986 Parade of Ships | ||
|---|---|---|
|
USCGC Eagle (USA) |
Guayas (Ecuador) |
Sagres II (Portugal) |
Celebrating the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' landing in America.
This ran from May 25 through July 31 with the traditional Parade of Ships in New York on July 4. Ports of call included San Juan, Puerto Rico; Miami, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York City; New London, Connecticut; and Portland, Maine.
| Participants in the 2000 Parade of Ships | ||
|---|---|---|
|
USCGC Eagle (USA) |
Bak'tivshchyna (Ukraine) |
HMS Rose (USA) |
Set to run in the summer of 2012 to commemorate the bicentennial of both the War of 1812 and the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the parade will have ports of call in New Orleans, Louisiana; Norfolk, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; New York City, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; and New London, Connecticut.