GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Port of Green Bay will hold its Tall Ships Festival from Friday through Sunday.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established and will enforce a safety zone around each tall ship participating in the festival while navigating in the Great Lakes.
Due to the limited maneuverability of the tall ships and to ensure safe steerage, all spectators and commercial vessels are required to maintain a distance of 300 feet from the ships at all times. The safety zone is in effect whether vessels are transiting, anchored or moored.
The vessels will be arriving in Green Bay for the festival on Thursday.
Additionally, on Wednesday, from approximately 4-6:30 p.m., the tall ships will participate in the Parade of Sail in Sturgeon Bay. The parade route starts in the vicinity of the Sturgeon Bay Canal Station, and from there they head inbound to the City of Sturgeon Bay to their mooring.
Crossing the parade is prohibited. If in doubt, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan command center on VHF channel 16. Official vessels assisting with the parade may be seen within the zone and will be identified with yellow flags.
Boaters shall adhere to all posted no wake zone boundaries, especially within the Sturgeon Bay Canal. Be mindful of the long bowsprits on the front of the large sailing vessels.
All recreational and pleasure boats must carry one wearable life jacket for each person aboard and children under the age of 13 are required to wear a properly fitting life jacket at all times while onboard a boat. However, the Coast Guard highly encourages all boaters regardless of age or experience to wear a lifejacket at all times as well.