OpSail 2000's East Coast multi-port celebration will be the most inclusive of any tall ship event sponsored in the United States. OpSail 2000 is endorsed by the President of the United States and has been designated an official event by a unanimous Joint Resolution of Congress. OpSail 2000 reinforces good will among nations because of its national and international nature.

Vessels from over 60 nations will participate in an eight city tour of the United States beginning in San Juan, Puerto Rico (May 25-29) and continuing to Miami, Florida (June 7-10); Norfolk, Virginia (June 16-20); Baltimore, Maryland (June 23-27); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (June 23-27); New York, New York (July 3-9); New London, Connecticut (July 12-15); and ending in Portland, Maine (July 28-31). Tens of millions of spectators will visit OpSail Ports and attend OpSail Events May 25 through July 31, 2000.

The week-long New York event (July 3-9, 2000) is the centerpiece of the national celebration and is expected to draw approximately 4 million people to New York City. We anticipate that more than 40,000 spectator vessels will line New York Harbor during our nation's 224th birthday celebration. During this celebration, the world will see the longest parade of tall ships in history. Armadas from the United States Navy and Coast Guard will line 10 miles of New York Harbor and a there will be an International Naval Review like none seen before. The President of the United States will join with foreign Heads of State, the Mayor of New York City and our corporate sponsors aboard the official reviewing platform, a United States Naval aircraft carrier. The July 4th activities will include the largest fireworks spectacular in history.

Six days and nights of events and programs are being planned to commemorate our launch into the century and mark the midway point to the millennium. Events currently being considered include a parade up Broadway through New York's famous Canyon of Heroes; the OpSail 2000 Global Village; an adopt a nation program; a laser spectacular above New York Harbor; a Tall Ships race; outdoor concerts as well as ship tours and sail training demonstrations.

Operation Sail, a legacy from one of the most beloved Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, is proud to present OpSail 2000 our centennial event. OpSail 2000, our benchmark program is designed to celebrate maritime history and create lasting memories to share with future generations.

First of the Fleet for OpSail 2000

Organizers of OpSail 2000 on Wednesday announced 15 of the 150 tall ships, character vessels and military craft expected to visit Hampton Roads and Baltimore in June 2000:

• Fair Jeanne, Canada. Serves as a floating training vessel.
• Esmeralda, Chile. Considered the pride of the Chilean navy.
• Guayas, Ecuador. Used for training by the Ecuadoran navy.
• Alexander Von Humboldt, Germany. Visits ports around the world as a goodwill ambassador for young people interested in science.
• Gorch Fock II, Germany. Named for the sea-story writer Hans Kinau, who wrote under the pen name Gorch Fock.
• Dar Mlodziezy, Poland. Meaning "gift of the children," it was built in part through the contributions of elementary school children in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Kruzenshtern, Russia. The second largest tall ship still sailing.
• Mir, Russia. The name is Russian for "peace."
• Capitan Miranda, Uruguay. Launched in Spain in 1930.
• USCG Eagle, U.S. The flagship of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
• Gazela Philadelphia, U.S. A former fishing vessel built in Portugal in 1883.
• Pride of Baltimore, U.S. Owned by the state of Maryland.
• Susan Constant, U.S.. Virginia's flagship.
• Victory Chimes, U.S. Built in 1900, it once carried lumber on the Chesapeake Bay.
• Simon Bolivar, Venezuela. Built in 1980 and named for the "great liberator" of northern South America.

For more information: OpSail 2000