The international Tall Ships fleet received a warm American welcome as they sailed into the fourth port of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta… Boston, USA.
Ahead of the start of Sail Boston, on Friday 16 June, “America’s Walking City” held an Opening Ceremony at the Boston Harbour Hotel to start the next six days’ festivities in style.
Boston Mayor, Marty Walsh, at the Sail Boston Opening Ceremony.
Opening Ceremony
In anticipation of the start of the celebrations, Patrick Moscaritolo, president and CEO of Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said “We are extraordinarily pleased with the response and commitment of so many country owned and private vessels to Sail Boston 2017’s roster of Tall Ships.”
Held in the Boston Harbor Hotel, the Opening Ceremony saw Boston Mayor, Marty Walsh, address an assembly of media and Tall Ships fans.
“Sail Boston is a chance for people in Boston to experience our city’s rich maritime history. As we welcome ships from all over the world, we’ll get a glimpse of what Boston Harbour looked like centuries ago.
“We’re excited to welcome people from all over the world to our city. I want to call on the people of Boston to make them feel welcome.”
Boston Mayor, Marty Walsh.
Crowds at the Sail Boston Grand Parade of Sail.
Grand Parade of Sail
Today, Boston marked the first day of the maritime celebrations with a spectacular Grand Parade of Sail from the Tall Ships fleet into Boston Harbour. Heavy fog led to an hour-long delay to the parade start time, but thousands of spectators gathered to give the fleet a warm welcome into the city.
Led by the US Coast Guard’s Class A Tall Ship Eagle, the parade saw more than 40 vessels sail into the harbour to mark the start of the festivities.
About Boston
“America’s Walking City” has invited more than 40 Tall Ships to its shores and welcomed its first Grand Parade of Sail for more than 17 years. Throughout Sail Boston, the vessels will be open for public boarding and viewing.
The trainees and crew members will also have plenty of reasons to be excited during the festival. Throughout the celebrations, there will be team sports, crew parties and a spectacular Sail Boston Crew and Cadet Street Parade, as well as access to the wide range of cultural attractions that Boston has to offer.
Fun by land and by sea, Boston is a perfect place to explore America’s rich maritime history. When it comes time to give your sea legs a break, the best way to enjoy this compact, friendly and delightful place is to take to the streets. Walk the 2.5-mile historic Freedom Trail, or peruse the Boston Common and Public Garden. In Boston, the activities are endless.
Get Involved
You can still be part of this adventure of a lifetime. Berths are available for Race 4 (from Boston to Gulf of Saint Lawrence Ports) onwards. Check out the available places on our Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta event pages.
You can book your place directly with a participating vessel, or if you’d like help simply email our friendly team on enquiries@sailonboard.com, who can make recommendations, answer questions and process your booking for you.
Photo: Eagle (USA) leading the Sail Boston Grand Parade of Sail.