Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Don’t Miss the Tall Ships Parade This Friday!

July 1, 2026

The Class B Ships Sail by

one the West Channel

of the

East River

on FRIDAY, JULY 3

1 TO 3 P.M. (APPROX.)

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

ISSUE # 1707

Look out for the S/Y Vela

S/Y Vela is the sister ship to S/Y Argo. She is a two-masted staysail schooner that measures 112-ft overall and accommodates twenty six students and seven professional crew on ocean voyages around the globe. She is certified and inspected by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a Category “0” vessel, allowing her unrestricted operation in the world’s oceans. Sailing under the Sea, mester flag, Vela will circumnavigates the globe offering students the chance to cross oceans while furthering their educational and personal goals in a highly experiential college-level academic setting.

Specifications

Homeport: North Sound, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Rig: Other: Staysail Schooner
Sparred Length: 112
LOA: 112′
LOD: 94′
LWL: 71′

Draft: 10′
Beam: 25′
Rig Height: 102′
Freeboard: 6′
Sail Area: 4,700
Tons: 130
Hull: Steel

Facts

Who Sails: High School, College
Program Type: Sail Training, Marine Science, Accredited Semesters, Deep Sea Voyages, Study Abroad, Gap Year, Adventure Travel, Other: Experiential education semesters for high school graduates and college students; accredited academics with sail and scuba training, service projects and adventure travel
Normal Cruising Waters:
- Winter: Worldwide
- Summer: Worldwide
Sailing Season: Year-round
Year Launched: 2018
Number of Crew: 7
Name of Contact: Sea|mester Programs
Phone: 941.924.2900
Website: https://seamester.com/

A fleet of U.S. and international Class B tall ships will participate in the America 250 Parade of Sail, showcasing a diverse array of training and historic vessels along the East River and other U.S. ports.

Overview of Class B Ships

The Class B tall ships are smaller than the Class A vessels but are equally impressive, often used for sail training, education, and cultural exchange. During the America 250 celebrations, these ships will sail down the East River from the head of the river to Gravesend Bay, Brooklyn, providing spectators with a rare opportunity to see them in motion america250.org. The event is part of the larger Sail4th 250 program, which is the New York segment of the nationwide Sail250 celebrations sail4th.org+1.

Participating Ships and Origins

While a complete list of all Class B ships has not been fully published, the fleet includes a mix of U.S. and international vessels, complementing the larger Class A ships such as the USCG Barque Eagle and other foreign naval training ships sail4th.org+1. These Class B ships typically include schooners, brigs, and smaller full-rigged ships operated by universities, maritime academies, and sail training organizations. Examples of vessels in the broader Sail250 program include:

STV Vela – a 112-foot gaff-rigged schooner operated by Sea|mester, homeported in the British Virgin Islands, carrying a crew of about 30 including students sail4th.org.
Other Class B ships are expected to represent U.S. maritime academies and international sail training programs, providing hands-on training for cadets and students.

Event Highlights

Parade of Sail: Class B ships will lead a parade along the East River on July 3, 2026, preceding the larger Class A vessels on July 4 sail4th.org.
Public Engagement: Many ships will offer educational programs, tours, and demonstrations for visitors, highlighting maritime history and seamanship america250.org+1.
Global Participation: The fleet includes ships from multiple nations, emphasizing international goodwill and cultural exchange alongside the U.S. vessels sail4th.org+1.

Summary

The Class B ships at America 250 represent a diverse and educational fleet, smaller than the Class A tall ships but integral to the Parade of Sail and maritime celebrations. They provide a unique opportunity for the public to witness traditional sailing vessels in action, while also supporting cadet training and international maritime cooperation. For the most up-to-date list of participating Class B ships, visitors can check the official Sail4th 250 website or the America250 event page

america250.org+1.

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CREDITS

Sail USA 250
Judith Berdy

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.