Tall Ships

Charleston SC was the host port for the “Tall Ships” event that was part of a recent, four day event, the annual “Maritime Festival.”  Eight tall traditional sailing ships from all around the world gathered for the event.

On the first day, as each of the eight vessels entered the Charleston harbor, their guns fired a 21 gun salute, a time-honored custom.  The firing is intended to mean that a ship no longer has any ammunition and comes in peace.  The “Tall Ships” in turn received a single cannon salute, from welcoming ships in the harbor.

As the ships moved out of the fog into the sunlight, observers remarked, “The vessels looked like they had sailed out of the past.”

papa n pirates

Maritime art displays, a family boat-building contest and a “Children’s Village” with a pirate theme were also part the festival.  The shipyard where the ship “Spirit of South Carolina” was built was transformed into a pirate camp.  A tent featuring the “Education Village” displayed 300-plus essays written by fifth and sixth graders about the newly christened ship representing our state.

Included in the festival was the start of the Charleston to Bermuda Race of the “Tall Ships,” known as the C2B.  In addition to the “pirate” activities, there were rowing and long boat races, and “Dragon” boat races that were originally initiated as therapy for cancer survivors.  These races have since become quite an anticipated event at the “Maritime Festival.”

Crewmember FWD Lookout

Flotilla 12-6 set up and manned a safe boating information booth at the festival in conjunction with “National Safe Boating Week.”

Coast Guard Sector Charleston was in charge of coordinating security and called upon the Auxiliary to assist them in this task.  City, State and Sheriff’s marine units were also utilized.  The Auxiliarists were given the opportunity to assist the active duty in many ways.

Bob Kreling, Division 12 Operations Officer, coordinated the Auxiliary‘s involvement and asked Division 12’s members, who were interested in being a part of this event, to provide boats, coxswains and crew to be utilized in safety and security patrols.  Auxiliarists from Flotillas 12-3, 6, 8, 10 and 12 participated in the patrols.

This was truly an exciting Division 12 event.  Flotillas 12-6 and 8 are both based in the Charleston area.  However Flotilla 12-3 (Lake Murray), 12-10 (Georgetown) and our newly formed Flotilla 12-12 (Edisto) all had to spend several hours “commuting” to the Charleston harbor.  Adding to the task, 12-3 and 12-10 did it the hard way, while towing their boats along the highways.