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OpSail New London 2012
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Group behind OpSail2012 sets sail for New London schooner festival
May 8, 2013; Updated: 11:44 pm
The Connecticut Schooner Festival in September would include an educational component at Mystic Seaport, a schooner race off Ocean Beach Park and an exposition of Connecticut-made products at the city's Waterfront Park.
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L&M, Opsail earn state honors
November 16, 2012; Updated: 11:42 pm
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and OpSail Connecticut have been named award winners for contributing to the state's economic development and overall success.
The Connecticut Economic Resource Center announced this week that awards will be handed out at its annual event CELEBRATE CT! Nov. 28...
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OpSail organizers plan schooner festival
November 13, 2012; Updated: 11:53 pm
The organizers of the local Operation Sail event are in the early stages of planning a schooner festival. They voted to call the event, which would bring sailing ships with two or more masts to the state, the “Connecticut Schooner Festival.”
COMMENTS (1)
OpSail delegation thanks Malloy for contributions, looks to future events
August 13, 2012; Updated: 12:11 am
OpSail Chairman John Johnson briefed Gov. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Wyman on the OpSail committee's plans for a five-year schedule of major schooner festivals.
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OpSail organizers to announce schooner festivals starting next year
August 10, 2012; Updated: 11:40 pm
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NL on board to be a 'Coast Guard City'
July 22, 2012; Updated: 12:26 am
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Maritime weekend put wind in city's sails
July 10, 2012; Updated: 12:15 am
Organizers say OpSail was a big success and they will work to bring the event back to the city in 2015.
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Goodbye to OpSail
July 10, 2012; Updated: 12:04 am
A crowd on the fishing pier at Fort Trumbull State Park watches the schooner Wolf depart New London on Monday at the conclusion of the OpSail/Sailfest celebration.
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Police say downtown OpSail crowds were well-behaved
July 10, 2012; Updated: 12:03 am
Police reported no major problems in the downtown and venue areas during this weekend’s Sailfest/OpSail festivities but they attributed some fights and numerous arrests to the crowded bar scene after Saturday night’s fireworks display.
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Height isn't everything
July 10, 2012; Updated: 11:39 pm
The USS Mississippi passes the tall ships Eagle and Cisne Branco docked Monday at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London en route to the submarine base in Groton.
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USS Carter Hall brings crew member home to NL
July 9, 2012; Updated: 7:11 pm
Evan Westbrook, who grew up in New London, returned to the city this past weekend as a crew member aboard the USS Carter Hall.
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A sun-splashed finale caps off a star-spangled weekend
July 9, 2012; Updated: 6:54 pm
Officials and the public say weekend OpSail/Sailfest festivities were a big success as the visiting boats prepare to leave New London today.
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The view from the Eagle's bowsprit (VIDEO)
July 9, 2012; Updated: 6:53 pm
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Music is the international language at OpSail
July 9, 2012; Updated: 12:58 am
Musical groups, one local and one from a visiting ship, serenaded the crowd at Fort Trumbull on the final day of the festival Sunday.
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OpSail family portrait
July 9, 2012; Updated: 12:18 am
Casey Folkman, right, snaps a photo of her daughter Alivia Rivera, 4, and nephews Adam Harper, 4, and Matthew Harper, 7, as her mother Anne Lavigne, center, lines up her own photo of the children Sunday in front of the U.S. Navy Dock Landing Ship USS Carter Hall at the State Pier in New London.
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Ships depart New London after weekend of mostly smooth sailing
July 9, 2012; Updated: 1:59 pm
The majority of the ships that were docked at piers here throughout this weekend were gone by early Monday afternoon as many took off ahead of schedule.
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Fireworks live stream brought down by glitch, video now available
July 9, 2012; Updated: 9:36 am
While a technical problem prevented the live streaming of Saturday night's fireworks show, a full video of the event is now available.
COMMENTS (4)
Spectators line the piers to experience Opsail, Sailfest
July 8, 2012; Updated: 9:17 am
Kevin Hurley, 35, of Groton, was waiting on City Pier for the first sailboat ride of his life. Hurley was among the crowds of people in the city for the third day of the combined OpSail2012 and Sailfest, the city's annual summer festival. Long lines formed not only at City Pier but in Fort Trumbull...
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Today's schedule
July 8, 2012; Updated: 12:50 am
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From ship to shore, a celebratory mood
July 8, 2012; Updated: 12:38 am
Capt. Eric C. Jones, commanding officer of Eagle, said he couldn't have asked for more perfect winds for sailing. The conditions were the best of any port this summer. "How apropos," he said.
COMMENTS (4)
So, Sailfest got some ships this year
July 8, 2012; Updated: 11:42 pm
I was in Barbara Neff's Sailfest command post in downtown New London Saturday morning when her phone rang.
It was the bridge of the Navy ship USS Carter Hall, and they were asking Neff for permission to take the lead position for the Parade of Sail into New London.
Apparently, the...
COMMENTS (5)
OpSail/Sailfest parking, shuttles and roadway disruptions
July 8, 2012; Updated: 11:42 pm
Free parking for OpSail Connecticut 2012 and Sailfest is available in satellite lots with shuttle service to Fort Trumbull, City Pier and State Pier:
• New London High School, 490 Jefferson Ave.; Destination: Fort Trumbull
• Waterford High School, 20 Rope Ferry Road;...
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Eagle captain: Conditions for OpSail perfect
July 7, 2012; Updated: 12:02 pm
The last time the barque Eagle sailed into its homeport was in 2000, when New London also hosted Operation Sail, but fewer sails were set at that time.
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Fireworks extravaganza impresses Sailfest crowd
July 7, 2012; Updated: 6:58 pm
The first fireworks launched into the sky Saturday night over the Thames River, and let it be said that a few new colors and pinwheel patterns have been added to the vocabulary of pyrotechnics.
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Crowds grab best viewing spots for Parade of Sail
July 7, 2012; Updated: 12:40 am
The best locations to watch the Parade of Sail include Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Ocean Beach Park in New London and Avery Point and Eastern Point in Groton.
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Fort Trumbull packs 'em in
July 7, 2012; Updated: 9:16 am
Fort Trumbull played center stage for OpSail festivities Saturday, welcoming thousands of spectators, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and a stage full of dignitaries, music that spanned centuries and some of the world's most majestic tall ships.
COMMENTS (11)
Fireworks company ready to put on a show
July 7, 2012; Updated: 12:50 am
One could approximate a Mark Allen-style workout just seeking a representational sampling of live music as Sailfest got under way Friday. The idea would be to pinball back and forth between Hygienic Art Park and the Custom House Stage. It’s a lot of walking, but your ears would thank you for it. Free parking for OpSail2012 Connecticut and Sailfest is available in satellite lots, with shuttle service to Fort Trumbull, City Pier and State Pier. The lots and drop off/pickup points are: • New London High School, 490 Jefferson Ave.; Destination: Fort Trumbull •... The Carter Hall, a Navy dock landing ship, sent the amphibious Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) to “storm” the Hole-in-the-Wall Beach as part of the opening ceremonies for OpSail 2012CT Friday in Niantic. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reminds boaters to follow safety rules and obey security zones around all the ships that will be in New London and Niantic for OpSail and Sailfest today through Monday. Entry into these areas will be strictly enforced, and... New London police officers were out in full force as people started to trickle in to Waterfront Park on the first of the three-day OpSail/Sailfest weekend. The USS Carter Hall sat about two miles offshore riveting the attention of crowds at McCook Point Park in Niantic to watch the Navy's hovercraft dislodge from the ship and make its way to shore. In less than 10 minutes, the craft touched the shore, sending a 100-foot spray of sand and water toward... Purveyors of food, drink and maritime merchandise in downtown New London beamed Thursday as they anticipated the weekend and its promise of profligate spending. The owner of Garden State Fireworks, which handled the San Diego display that exploded all at once, said his company is making sure the show in New London goes as planned – for 20 minutes. Midshipmen from the four Naval yard patrol boats docked at Custom House Pier delivered boxes of food from their ships to a waiting truck to be donated to the Gemma E. Moran food center and the Covenant Shelter. City of Groton police have announced parking regulations for two OpSail events. Bringing a handful more ships to Newport is sort of like taking coals to Newcastle. That was my impression of Thursday's prelude to Ocean State Tall Ships in Newport, the tall ships festival that will compete with OpSail 2012 in New London this weekend. The Newport festival doesn't... Nine months of planning have gone into the event, Fire Chief Ronald Samul said this week, as volunteers, city and state officials and local, state and federal public safety agencies collaborate on the city’s biggest event since OpSail last visited in 2000. With OpSail and Sailfest sharing the stage in New London this weekend, there's a lot going on. Here's a guide to a fun weekend. John Johnson, who has led a team of volunteers to bring the event to New London this weekend, says "I knew if we worked hard enough and persevered, we would get it done." Here they come, that bevy of ships that will be floating their way here this weekend for OpSail. The parade of sail promises to be an awesome sight, as the Coast Guard Eagle leads 22 vessels from Niantic into New London harbor on Saturday morning. First, though, a Navy... Let's say for a moment there was no OpSail and/or Sailfest this weekend. No sky-masted schooners and colorful sailors, no briny processionals or carnival rides or comet-like pyrotechnics or even 15 separate but equally wonderful trips to the fried-dough vendor. If all that was left... Park and ride Free shuttles from lots outside downtown New London for OpSail and Sailfest will operate from 10 a.m to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Sunday: New London High School 490 Jefferson Ave. Destination: City Pier Waterford High School 20 Rope...
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Who's got the best food at OpSail/Sailfest?
July 7, 2012; Updated: 4:59 pm
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Command post prepared for any contingency July 7, 2012; Updated: 12:38 am
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Saturday’s schedule July 7, 2012; Updated: 12:20 am
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Aerobic array of music opens Sailfest Friday night July 7, 2012; Updated: 12:20 am
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OpSail/Sailfest parking, shuttle bus schedules and weekend roadway disruptions July 7, 2012; Updated: 11:42 pm
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OpSail festivities get under way in stormy fashion July 7, 2012; Updated: 12:47 am
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Boater safety, security enforced during OpSail, Sailfest July 7, 2012; Updated: 9:15 am
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City police ready to keep the peace July 7, 2012; Updated: 11:42 pm
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OpSail ship visitation hours changed for Sunday July 7, 2012; Updated: 9:21 pm
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Navy's display wows crowd at McCook Point Park July 6, 2012; Updated: 9:15 am
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Some merchants expecting OpSail/Sailfest windfall July 6, 2012; Updated: 8:43 pm
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After San Diego, will fireworks work? July 6, 2012; Updated: 12:32 am
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Navy lands with donations for food banks July 6, 2012; Updated: 12:23 am
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Groton parking changes for OpSail parade, fireworks announced July 6, 2012; Updated: 11:40 pm
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Tall ships in Newport? Skip 'em July 6, 2012; Updated: 11:29 pm
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Local, state, federal agencies joining forces for public safety July 6, 2012; Updated: 3:20 pm
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OpSail forecast: Sunny, warm but a chance of thunderstorms July 6, 2012; Updated: 12:22 am
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Your guide to OpSail/Sailfest fun July 6, 2012; Updated: 11:15 pm
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Boating rules and security zones will be enforced during OpSail July 5, 2012; Updated: 11:00 pm
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Local chairman says 'remarkable' effort has made OpSail weekend a reality July 5, 2012; Updated: 3:40 pm
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Ships to shore for OpSail July 5, 2012; Updated: 3:41 pm
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Let the music play at OpSail and Sailfest July 5, 2012; Updated: 3:47 pm
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Places to park and ride for OpSail/Sailfest July 5, 2012; Updated: 3:45 pm
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