NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Sail 250 is drawing attention to the region’s maritime industry with open tours of 12 tall ships from eight countries and U.S. military vessels through Sunday. The event is the largest-ever flotilla to tour America, with New Orleans as its first port.
The USS Kearsarge returned a 21-gun salute on Wednesday (May 27) to Louisiana Army National Guardsmen onshore near Chalmette.
“The sea services belong to the American people, and we can’t wait to meet them,” said Rear Adm. Neil A. Koprowski, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Two.
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Rear Adm. Will Watson of the U.S. Coast Guard said, “We invite you to come down, visit Mohawk, visit Eagle, learn more about your Coast Guard, and learn more about the exceptional men and women who do the mission every day.”
The U.S. Navy says the Port of New Orleans opens more than 14,000 miles of waterways to 30 major inland ports, generating approximately $100 million.
“The port activities that are up and down the river that happen behind the seawall sometimes go unnoticed,” said Walt Leger of New Orleans & Company. “The things that happen 24/7 to literally fuel the world is miraculous. Is something to celebrate.”
Rick Schwab, senior director of Delgado Community College’s Maritime and Industrial Training Center, said more than 5,500 graduates completed the program this spring. Thousands more are enrolling for the summer.
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“Oh, it’s thriving. It’s thriving. We have jobs every day,” Schwab said. “In less than five years, they can go from a $45,000 a year job to six figures.”
The center is investing $3 million in a new aquatics center in New Orleans East.
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