Sail Baltimore

Its like Tetris, with ships! One of Sail Baltimore’s biggest responsibilities for Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore was finding berthing space for more than two dozen visiting ships. It was no small feat. From international tall ships to military vessels & visiting boats of all sizes, fitting everyone into Baltimore’s waterfront was the ultimate puzzle. After months of planning, coordination, & a lot of creative problem-solving, our team made it happen.

Here’s a look at where the visiting vessels will be located throughout the event.

There is no formal Parade of Sail planned for Sail250® Maryland & Airshow Baltimore. Ships will arrive over several days, with many transiting the Bay overnight. If you'd like to follow their progress, we recommend using the MarineTraffic or Aqua Map apps to track participating vessels in real time.

Aquamap: https://www.globalterramaps.com/viewer/?event=250

Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore is around the corner, June 24-30, & excitement is building for what promises to be one of the premier events of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. As the only Sail250 port to feature both a fleet of tall ships AND an air show, Baltimore will offer a truly unique experience for visitors.

To help prepare, members of the Sail Baltimore team, Nan & Rich, were in New Orleans over the weekend for the first of the Sail250 ports of call.

We are excited to be part of the Sail250 effort & look forward to welcoming these remarkable vessels back to Baltimore this summer & for many years to come.

Things are heating up! This afternoon, our friends at Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore hosted an awesome press conference that included representatives from the Maryland Office of Tourism, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, the US Navy, Northrop Grumman, & Living Classrooms Foundation. Keep an eye on local networks WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore & WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore for coverage of the press conference.

Sail250 Maryland is going to be huge -- over two dozen ships, including over a dozen international Tall Ships like the iconic AMERIGO VESPUCCI.

The skies over Baltimore will also be roaring with demonstrations from the US Navy U.S. Navy Blue Angels, British Royal Airforce RED ARROWS, & the French Air & Space Force PATROLUILLE de FRANCE. Learn more about this once-in a generation event by going to https://www.sail250md.org/ & by following Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore here on Facebook.

For folks waiting to hear about ship arrival & departure timing -- we will continue to post updates & additional information as

They're coming! The first of the fleet is arriving in The Big Easy for Sail 250 New Orleans -- The countdown is on for Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore. We can't wait to welcome an incredible fleet to Baltimore, June 24-30.

Learn more about the upcoming event: https://www.sail250md.org/

Photo of BAE GUAYAS courtesy of Port of New Orleans

The Greatest Celebration in our Nation's History is coming to Baltimore & we need your help!

Sail Baltimore is looking for professional & service-oriented Volunteer Vessel Liaisons for Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore (June 23–30, 2026). Volunteer Vessel Liaisons will help support visiting international ships, & crews, arriving from numerous countries around the world as part of America's 250 commemoration & international maritime celebration.

Responsibilities may include:
• Welcoming international vessels & delegations
• Coordination & communication support
• Crew transportation/logistics coordination
• Community engagement & cultural exchange
• Assisting visiting crews during local activities & events

This is a working volunteer role requiring professionalism, flexibility, teamwork, & strong interpersonal communication skills. A full-week commitment (June 23–30) is strongly preferred due to operational continuity & relationship-building responsibilities.

Individuals with backgrounds or interests in public service, international affairs, hospitality, cultural exchange, maritime heritage, nonprofit work, military service, or community engagement may be especially well-suited. Multilingual abilities & foreign language skills are highly valued and considered a strong plus.

Please note:
• This is a working volunteer role & not a spectator or VIP access position.
• Assignments and responsibilities may vary based on operational needs
• Selection may be based on experience, professionalism, communication skills, availability, language skills, & overall program fit

Apply today by going to https://bit.ly/4tO7tmI

Photo courtesy of Greg Pease Photography.

Visit Baltimore

Sail Baltimore is thrilled to welcome Shelia Goodwin back to our team as Volunteer Coordinator for Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore.

A lifelong Baltimorean, Shelia brings more than 30 years of experience producing & managing some of the city’s most iconic events. During her time with the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, her leadership helped shape celebrations that have become part of Baltimore’s cultural fabric, from Artscape & Light City to the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Parade, & the Star-Spangled Spectacular.

Her work has continued to leave a mark across the region, supporting events such as Fleet Week, the Maryland Film Festival, and the Baltimore Running Festival, among many others. Shelia has a rare ability to bring people together & create experiences that resonate with the community.

As we look ahead to Sail250, one of the most significant maritime celebrations in our nation’s history, Shelia’s experience, vision, & deep connection to Baltimore will be invaluable in leading & inspiring our volunteer team.

Please join us in welcoming Shelia Goodwin back to Sail Baltimore.

As planning continues for Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, Sail Baltimore is proud to be an active partner in bringing this landmark event to life. This once-in-a-lifetime event is shaping up to be one of the greatest celebrations in our nation’s history.

Our staff and board members are working alongside organizers every day, helping to ensure a successful & memorable experience for Baltimore & its waterfront.

Today, we’re highlighting Rich Shores.

Currently serving as Sail Baltimore’s Maritime Operations Manager for Sail250 Maryland, Rich is leading the complex coordination of a global fleet of vessels. Working closely with City, State, & Federal partners, Rich is determining where ships can safely berth, managing arrivals, services, & departures. His work is central to what is slated to be the largest coordinated gathering of tall ships in Baltimore since the age of sail.

While he initially envisioned a creative berthing plan, grouping ships by class, pairing sister ships, or organizing vessels by geography, the realities of vessel size, draft, safety requirements, & timing ultimately guide the plan.

Rich describes the scale of coordination behind SAIL250 as truly herculean, & notes that being part of such a large, collaborative effort involving so many professional teams is both humbling & a privilege.

Outside of his work on the event, Rich shares his passion for sailing as a US Sailing-certified keelboat instructor at the Downtown Sailing Center, races regularly with the Baltimore City Yacht Association, & holds a USCG captain’s license.

And one of his favorite tall ship phrases?

“Splice the mainbrace” — once a call for a difficult repair, now a well-earned extra ration of rum.

We’re grateful for Rich’s expertise, humor, & steady hand in helping bring Sail250 Baltimore to life.

We can’t wait to welcome a fleet of tall ships to Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore this summer!

Opinion | You don’t want to miss the tall ships of the 250th. These photos show why. These sailing vessels have drawn huge crowds since the Bicentennial.

Due to current weather conditions & the U.S. Coast Guard’s assessment of the Chesapeake Bay, the scheduled visit of Statsraad Lehmkuhl to Baltimore, planned for January 31–February 4, has been canceled.

While we were very much looking forward to welcoming her, the sea & the weather set their own terms—and we don’t argue with nature. Safety always comes first, & we fully support the decision made in the best interest of the ship & her crew.