The EPA Ocean Survey Vessel, OSV Bold

The Rose Festival is delighted to welcome the EPA Ocean Survey Vessel OSV Bold (The Bold), arriving Sunday, May 25 for a week-long visit as part of her first-ever assignment to the West Coast! She will be moored south of the Morrison Bridge.

Famed as the 'Cleanest & Greenest' festival in the world, hosting The Bold fits right in with our Mission Statement.

You can find out more about The Bold by visiting her official website, HERE.

Tall Sailing Ships:
Thursday, May 29 - Wednesday, June 4

Once again we'll have visits from two ships, the brig Lady Washington and topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain, as an advance feature of the Portland Rose Festival's Fleet Week program.

Having appeared in movies (including the Lady Washington's appearance in the original "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie) -- and TV documentaries -- these famous maritime vessels harken from the golden age of ocean exploration.

That be right, mateys -- thar be Tall Sailing Ships moored on the Willamette River at Salmon Street, next to the WaMu Waterfront Village. Arriving on Thursday, May 29, as part of the 2008 Portland Rose Festival's opening day ceremonies, these two famous seafaring vessels will offer daily river cruises (called Battle Sails -- complete with a mock cannon battle), dockside tours and educational programs. (Due to other commitments, these ships will depart on Thursday, June 5.) For reservations, ticket information and further details, please call Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority at 800.200.5239 -- or visit their website at HistoricalSeaport.Org.

Fleet Week:
Wednesday, June 4 - Sunday, June 8

Naval vessels from the United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Maritime Forces arrive from around the world for a four-day visit to the City of Roses. Ship tours will be available daily.

The USS Charleston was the first ship to visit the Portland Rose Festival in 1907 and the navy's annual Rose Festival Fleet Week visitation has been an annual tradition for nearly 80 years.

Canadian Maritime Forces began visiting the Rose Festival in 1924 and continue to bring ships each year. The Battleship USS Oregon visited the Rose Festival in its final tour before decommissioning in 1925. The mast of the USS Oregon now resides in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

2008 Rose Festival Fleet

United States Navy

To be announced on Tuesday,
June 3

Canadian Maritime Forces

HMCS Vancouver
HMCS Edmonton
HMCS Whitehorse

United States Coast Guard

USCGC Active
USCGC Bluebell
USCGC Henry Blake
USCGC Black Fin

Tall Sailing Ships

MV Lady Washington
MV Hawaiian Chieftain

Navy Ship Tours

Admission is FREE (on a first-come basis as time allows)
Due to current world affairs, public tours of Fleet Week ships will be limited and may be cancelled without notice.

Public tours will be on a first-come basis:
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visitors may be subject to personal search and no bags, strollers or wheelchairs will be allowed onboard. There will not be any 'holding area' for personal items and visitors must be able to maneuver on board the ships, including climbing narrow ladders.

Navy Fleet Up-River Cruises

Up-river Cruises are available on a limited basis through the Navy League Blueback Council. These cruises are extremely popular and fill up very early. To receive information about Fleet Up-River Cruises, please send your name, address, email and mailing address to gaglswn@aol.com. You'll be contacted in April. All cruises are subject to cancellation without notice.

All information subject to change without notice.