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Here are some OpSail 2012 Virginia highlights. What amazing weather they had for the Parade of Ships!
Tall ships and small vessels decorate the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk during the OpSail 2012 Virginia Parade of Sail. photo: Hyunsoo Leo Kim/The Virginian-Pilot
So many ships! What a glorious sight!
The schooner Virginia unfurls an American flag as the Coast Guard barque Eagle passes during the OpSail 2012 Parade of Sail into downtown Norfolk. photo: Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot
Fun for kids and grown-ups alike…
Ariana Fray, 4, takes a turn at the wheel of the Cisne Branco of Brazil as crowds toured the various tall ships docked at Town Point Park. Ariana was with her mother Monica Fray from Hampton. photo: Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot
The Dewaruci crews enthusiasm delights the crowds! The Dewaruci of Indonesia was a big favorite of mine when they were here in New York. They should get some kind of award for “most enthusiastic and festive crew”.
The OpSail 2012 Virginia Parade of Sail passes Fort Monroe in Hampton, heading to downtown Norfolk. photo: Ross Taylor/The Virginian-Pilot
The majesty of the Parade of Sail is always mesmerizing.
The Coast Guard barque Eagle leads the way during the OpSail 2012 Virginia Parade of Sail from Virginia Beach to Norfolk. photo: Steve Earley/The Virginian-Pilot
Lighted ships gleaming under bursts of fireworks. I must admit, I am a bit jealous of the fine weather they enjoyed.
Fireworks over the Elizabeth River dominate the downtown Norfolk skyline for OpSail 2012 Virginia. photo: Vicki Cronis-Nohe/The Virginian-Pilot
Thanks to The Virginian-Pilot for sharing their experience of OpSail 2012 Virginia with us.
As the Tall Ships set sail for OpSail 2012 Baltimore, we wish them Fair Winds and Following Seas!
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
The excitement on the dock was palpable, as eager tour passengers started to arrive for the special OpSail 2012 Parade of Sail tour. Volunteers from Working Harbor Committee, OpSail 2012, NYWaterTaxi and OpSail 2012 sponsor partners scurrying to check-in folks streaming towards the dock.
Anticipation was high, with many evening Preview Tour passengers booked on our Official OpSail spectator boat for the morning’s grand Parade of Sail and Ships.
Finally, we were underway.
OpSail 2012 – Manhattan Skyline. photo: Mai Armstrong
Leaving South Street Seaport, the skies were an eerie mix of colors. Persimmon, Sapphire, Grey. The sun occasionally breaking through the gloom for a brief splash of sunlight streaking through the dense foggy air. The weather forecast having called for thunderstorms and drenching rain, every finger was crossed that our legendary weather guru would again part the clouds and stay the rain for us.
Captain John Doswell can… seems to… well, has parted the rain clouds on many occasions. It’s uncanny, I can’t explain it; but that is a story for another day.
Breakfast brunch was served aboard the MV Zephyr as we motored towards our optimal viewing position in front of the USS Intrepid.
OpSail 2012 – Parade of Sail. photo Mai Armstrong
The Tall Ships had started on their journey from the Verrazano Narrows earlier, sailing north on the Hudson to turn at the George Washington Bridge. It must have been gorgeous watching the Tall Ships gracefully pirouette against the suspension bridge backdrop.
OpSail 2012/Fleet Week Parade of Sail and Ships. photo: Mai Armstrong
Behind us, the Parade of Coalition fleet “grey hulls” were sailing northward to meet the Parade of Sail; their steel-grey hulls camouflaged by the foggy grey/blue/orange sky. In the distance, the skyscrapers of lower Manhattan and the “Freedom Tower” looked like a ghostly mirage in the mist.
Then… Through the foggy mist, they came. Ships! Ships! Ships!
OpSail 2012 – Fireboat John J. Harvey leads the fleet. photo: Mai Armstrong
[Do you see the little circle of sunshine over us and the Harvey? It's our weather-guru parting the clouds!]
OpSail 2012 – Fireboat John J. Harvey leads the Spanish Navy’s Juan Sebatian de Elcano. photo: Mai Armstrong
The fleet of Tall Ships was led by Fireboat John J. Harvey who sprayed her water jets into the air, as Juan Sebastian de Elcano of Spain met USCG Eagle who was leading the fleet of Grey Hulls.
OpSail 2012 – Blue Angels Flyover. photo Mai Armstrong
And just as you thought things couldn’t get more exciting, the US Navy’s Blue Angels flew overhead in perfect formation streaking the cloudy sky with their jets.
OpSail 2012 – Tall Ship Gazela. photo Mai Armstrong
OpSail 2012 –Indonesia’s Kri Dewaruci. photo Mai Armstrong
The North River was filled with vessels of every shape and size; barques, schooners, commercial cruisers, tugboats, pilots and of course dozens and dozens of Tall Ships and Coalition Ships. The skies above crisscrossed with military planes, fighter jets and helicopters; wings in salute over the parade.
OpSail 2012/Fleet Week Parade of Sail and Ships. photo Mai Armstrong
OpSail 2012 – JS Shirane and ARC Gloria. photo Mai Armstrong
The the gigantic aircraft carrier USS WASP brought up the rear, filling the horizon as she approached through the fog. The crisp white uniforms of her crew at attention on deck, punctuating the grey-blue Manhattan skyline.
OpSail 2012 – USS WASP and ARC Gloria with their tug escorts. photo Mai Armstrong
Many thanks to Captain John Doswell and all the WHC volunteers for organizing this memorable experience. It was truly magnificent.
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
Tuesday May 22nd., the evening before OpSail’s Parade of Sail, Working Harbor Committee ran a special Preview Tour of the International Tall Ships anchored in Gravesend Bay.
First glimpse of the tall ships. photo: Mai Armstrong
The Verrazano Narrows shrouded in fog, revealed the first hint of the Tall Ships masts as we approached the bridge. We approached and were able to circle each of the magnificent vessels moored in the bay on the MV Zephyr several times, waving at exuberant crews on deck.
The Juan Sebastian de Elcano of Spain was anchored near a tanker. As we motored in close to the 3rd largest sail ship in the world, we could see her gilded Minerva figurehead.
Our boat toured around Guayas of Ecuador, Mexico’s Cuauhtémoc, Cisne Branco of Brazil, Colombia’s ARC Gloria and KRI Dewaruci of Indonesia who were anchored within yards of each other.
Colombia’s ARC Gloria. photo: Mai Armstrong
As we circled slowly, there was ample opportunity to see the details of each ship; their figureheads, rigging, fine wood wheelhouses and massive masts. Norman Brouwer, eminent maritime historian, enthralled passengers with his narration of historical facts about each Tall Ship and Operation Sail.
Indonesian Navy’s Dewaruci was the most enthusiastic, her crew treating us to an impromptu Indonesian dance on deck complete with drums and over-sized ceremonial masks.
The crew of the Indonesian Navy’s KRI Dewaruci.
photo: Mai Armstrong
As the fog closed in and darkness began to fall, our boat headed back towards Manhattan, stopping at the Statue of Liberty for a photo-op. We were pleasantly surprised when we saw USCG Eagle gleaming in the illumination from Liberty’s lights.
A perfect finale to our evening with the Tall Ships.
Many friends of the Working Harbor Committee were on board, their camera shutters whirring. Here are some amazing photos from tugster and old salt blog.
Many thanks to Captain John Doswell and all the WHC volunteers for organizing these special tours.
by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee
