Aberdeen, WA - The Grays Harbor-based tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are auctioning life-changing sailing experiences aboard the vessels as holiday gift alternatives. The ships are participating this month in the American Sail Training Association’s Tall Ships® Adventure auction, which is raising money for expansion of national sail training and living maritime history programs. Funds raised in the auction by Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will also support local tall ship operations. The vessels are owned and operated by the Aberdeen-based Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority. More than a dozen North American tall ships, including USS Constellation, Pride of Baltimore II, and Port Townsend-based Adventuress, are participating in the online-only event. Many of these vessels, including Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, specialize in training young people about life through work aboard ocean-going sailing ships. They are offering single-day and multi-day passenger excursions.
The auction is sponsored by the American Sail Training Association (ASTA), which organizes the annual TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® series of events. These tall ship festivals bring world-class traditional sailing vessels to ports across the country for public tours and trips. The ASTA TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® series event will be held on the west coast in the summer of 2011. “Everyone who sees Lady Washington or Hawaiian Chieftain with all its sails set dreams of taking a sea voyage,” says ASTA Executive Director Bert Rogers. “Our Tall Ships® Adventure auction gives you a chance to experience the ancient lure of the sea and perhaps change someone’s life. Each item sold in our auction helps Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority continue its mission of enriching the lives of young people.” To bid on the Tall Ships® Adventure excursion or voyage offered by Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain or other vessels, visit www.sailtraining.org and click on the “Give the Gift of Tall Ships® Adventure” link. Gifts range from a day trip to three-week voyages. To bid, select the desired trip and enter a bid amount or purchase the experience at full price.
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