The tall ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island is docked downtown at 100 East Coastline Drive on the Northbank for tours through Wednesday evening.
The 200-foot vessel is this country’s newest tall ship. It’s based in Rhode Island and is making a Jacksonville stop before it sets sail again for the Tall Ship Festival in Galveston, Texas.
SSV stands for Sailing School Vessel.
“It’s a traditionally rigged vessel so we’re using sails the way they used to sail boats 19th century, 18th century of how they used to operate boats like this,” said Captain Kevin Wells on Tuesday.
Wells said the crew of the Perry is giving free tours of the sailing ship until 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The tall ship’s mission is to provide education-at-sea programs that promote personal and professional growth. The ship’s crew partners with schools, organizations, and universities for experiential learning opportunities that incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) educational concepts.
The tall ship is the centerpiece of a non-profit organization that offers a variety of onboard learning experiences to program partners as well as the broader public and also participates at festivals and other events to reinforce the importance of and interest in Rhode Island’s and America’s maritime history.
It's named after U.S. Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who led the first U.S. naval victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
More information about the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry and its programsis available on the organization’s website.