Tall Ships America will be hosting tall ships captains, operators, educators and supporters at its annual conference on tall ships and sail training at the Marriott Hotel, Feb. 7-9. This year’s conference marks the 50th anniversary of Tall Ships America’s mission of promoting the ships, people and programs of sail training and the tall ships.
The program this year involves hands-on workshops, informative sessions, and highlights from 50 years of tall ships events and innovation in the maritime community.
“There really was no question that Newport had to be the location for our 50th annual conference; our original and forever home port,” said Dr. Kris Von Wald, executive director. “Our members sail around all coasts of the United States and in the Great Lakes, and it is nice to welcome them home to Newport as we reflect on 50 years of adventure and education under sail.”
Bart Dunbar of Newport, one of the original founders and former chair of the board of directors, said, “From our humble and aspirational beginnings aboard the Brigantine Black Pearl docked at Bowen’s Wharf in 1973, over the last 50 years we have seen lives changed and careers developed through the challenging and enduring activity of sailing a tall ship.”
Oliver Hazard Perry, Rhode Island’s flagship currently docked at Bowen’s Wharf, will serve as a supporting site for the conference, offering visiting crew accommodation and classroom space.
Tall Ships America is a nonprofit commended by Congress. It serves as a forum for information exchange, professional development and sail training standards.
What needs to be done is make a effort to bring back.Tall ships to Newport. Under Discover Newport they ruined ties with Tall ships organization and they stopped over in Philadelphia, New York and bypassed Newport then Sailed onward to Boston. This was a sad sight to see.