OpSail Parade of Ships Today in Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads and Norfolk

     Virginia Beach, Va. -- Mariners are advised that the captain of the port of Hampton Roads will establish a safety zone today, June 8, on Tuesday, June 12 in connection with the OpSail 2012 Parade of Sail.
The regulated area is all waters within 100 yards of any OpSail vessel while operating in the navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay or its tributaries, south of the Maryland-Virginia border. Mariners must remain outside the regulated area unless otherwise authorized by the captain of the port or his representative.

     The International fleet of tall ships began arriving on Thursday. They are anchored in Lynnhaven Roads, just north of the John A. Lesner Bridge on the Virginia Beach waterfront.

     The Parade of Sail will begin at 7 a.m. this morning. The fleet will parade from the Lynnhaven Roads anchorage through Thimble Shoals Channel, past the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (between Trestles A and B) and past Fort Monroe in Hampton. From there, the ships will move through Hampton Roads and up the Elizabeth River to downtown Norfolk. The first ships in the parade will reach Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk at noon today. Ships will then proceed to their docks in downtown Norfolk, or in other affiliate ports, before opening to the public for tours. 

Blessing of the Fleet in Washington Channel Scheduled for Saturday

     Washington, D.C. -- Mariners are advised that the Port of Washington Yacht Club’s annual “Blessing of the Fleet” is scheduled to occur in Washington Channel on Saturday, May 19, from noon to 3 p.m. Approximately 100 vessels (various types and lengths) will transit in a counter-clockwise course with vessel staging occurring near Hains Point, in Washington, DC. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area and remain clear of the parade route, and if necessary, contact parade officials on marine band radio channel 67 VHF-FM. Chart 12289.

Rutherford Welcome Home On or About April 14 at Noon

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the “Matt Rutherford, Solo the Americas, Welcome Home Landfall” is scheduled to occur on the Severn River, Spa Creek and Annapolis Harbor on or about Saturday, April 14, at approximately 12 Noon. A parade of recreational boats and media vessels are expected to accompany the solo sailor as he transits from the mouth of the Severn River to the Annapolis City Dock, where a welcoming ceremony is planned on shore. The person-in-charge during the event can be hailed on marine band radio. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12283, 12282.