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Fifteen Ships Make Spectacular Entrance into Port of Los Angeles

Posted on: Thursday, 11 August 2005, 21:00 CDT

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn joined thousands of spectators today to welcome a parade of 15 majestic tall ships into the Port of Los Angeles to kick-off TallShips(R)LA's four-day event.

"The City of Los Angeles welcomes the tall ships, their crews and our many visitors from all over Southern California who have come to experience the grandeur of the TallShips(R)LA Festival," said Villaraigosa.

The array of foreign and domestic vessels includes the Mexican naval vessel Cuauhtemoc, Argus, Bill of Rights, Californian, Exy Johnson, Antigua's Kaisei, Lynx, the R. Tucker Thompson of New Zealand, Pilgrim, Robert C. Seamans, Royaliste, Spirit of Dana Point, Swift of Ipswich, Talofa, and Tole Mour.

"Too often we forget that Los Angeles is a Port town with a great maritime history. TallShips(R)LA gives us a chance to reconnect with that history and also build new relationships," said Hahn. "Riding on the Exy Johnson and leading the parade was a great experience. I hope all Angelenos take a chance to visit San Pedro for this great event."

The Cuauhtemoc, the largest of the ships, will be docked at Berths 88-89. The other tall ships will be berthed elsewhere along the waterfront from the Los Angeles Maritime Museum at Harbor Boulevard and Sixth Street to

Ports O' Call Village, and will be available for public viewing on Thursday, August 11, from 3 to 6 p.m., and Friday, August 12, to Sunday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"This event also provides our many visitors with a perfect opportunity to see the many other attractions that our Port and the historic communities of Wilmington and San Pedro have to offer," added Bruce E. Seaton, Port Interim Executive Director.

Free parking is available at a variety of locations including Ports O' Call Village, 22nd and Miner Streets, 22nd and Signal Streets, and 1st Street and Harbor Boulevard. Throughout the event, participants can take free rides on the Port's Waterfront Red Car Line from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and receive free transfers on the San Pedro Electric Trolley.

Tickets for day sail adventures can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis. Children's games and nautical-themed activities will also be available throughout the weekend.

The 15 ships have been racing down the coast as part of the American Sail Training Association's Pacific Coast 2005 Tall Ship Challenge(R) Series that originated in Vancouver, B.C. and will conclude in San Diego.

The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading container port in the nation and a critical hub in the international supply chain, the Port generates thousands of stable, well paying jobs. It has also placed a high priority on smart growth initiatives combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. The Port of Los Angeles is a proprietary, self-supporting department of the City of Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles. . . Anchoring a bright future.

Source: Business Wire

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