Tall Ships Erie

[P89]

In case you're in a boat here's what to do.

In just two days, eight tall ships will cause quite the spectacle along Erie’s bayfront when the Tall Ships Festival in Erie kicks with the parade of sail.

But with such a large event come extra security measures.

The Coast Guard has deemed the Tall Ships Festival as an event of national significance and that means tight security all around.


The Coast Guard will be working in connection with federal and state agents, including the Fish and Boat Commission and state police to enforce a temporary safety and security zone throughout the entire event beginning Thursday at five pm and lasting through the end of the event on Sunday.

As for the parade of sail, the Coast Guard will be escorting all of the ships as they sail into Presque Isle Bay on Thursday.

Once all of the ships are docked around Dobbins Landing, the Coast Guard will enforce a 100 yard security zone around each of the eight ships.

For boaters out on the bay Thursday evening, you should know the channel into Presque Isle Bay will be closed from 5 to 7 pm between red buoys four and twelve.

You will otherwise have to get special permission from the Coast Guard to enter the channel.

Executive Petty Officer James L Meadows says, "And we just ask any vessels that are granted permission to enter the security zone that they maintain safe speed, bare steerage and also maintain a 25 yard distance from the vessels entering the bay, just due to the limited amount of movement the ships will have coming through the narrow channel here."


If you have any questions or need to request special permission to enter the channel at that time, you can call the Coast Guard at 838-2098 or VHF channel 16.

http://yourerie.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=136605

[P89]

Parade of Sails...impressive.
If you don't have plans to go, make some.

[Truckman]

Enjoyed it, especially the cannons firing!! Could have been warmer, but the worst part was the hour wait to get out of the south pier parking lot.

[gklugie]

Cannons firing???

Hmmmmm....

Did the ship captain get a permit?

The ship was within city limits?

How about discharging weapons (cannons) in/near city limits?

Would you be permitted to discharge your weapons similarly?

What would the port authority do to you if you fired from a boat?

.... just thinking

[Xpertz]

Cannons firing???

Hmmmmm....

Did the ship captain get a permit?

The ship was within city limits?

How about discharging weapons (cannons) in/near city limits?

Would you be permitted to discharge your weapons similarly?

What would the port authority do to you if you fired from a boat?

.... just thinking

Erie Pa is the Home of The Flagship Niagara.
They have no problem getting permission to do SAFE performances.

You didn't seriously think there were projectiles, did you?

And, would people come to see you shoot your weapons?

The Port Authority has a big stake in the Niagara's sucess as a Tourist attraction.