Fixing parking problems at OpSail 2012

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) -- OpSail always attracts a crowd and all of those people converging on New London and Groton leave parking at a premium.

The Navy patrol boats were the first to arrive for OpSail 2012. Soon more ships will sail in, in impressive style, and so will visitors to the Whaling City.

"I believe that we'll have 800,000 people in over four days in our event," said John Johnson, OpSail 2012.

A massive amount of people and cars, which is why organizers are offering alternatives.

Four more Shoreline East trains will be added Saturday and Sunday to transport train riders from as far west as New Haven. News 8 has also learned there will be buses shuttling folks to and from five satellite parking lots. The list of locations includes Connecticut College, the Crystal Mall, New London High School, Ocean State Job Lot in Waterford, and Waterford High School. And don't worry about getting around once you reach downtown New London.

Within the city the Southeastern Area Transit buses will shuttle people to three locations: Waterfront Park, State Pier, and Fort Trumbull.

"I think it's excellent cause I think parking is one of the problems when you have things like OpSail," said Beverly Hebert, of Groton.

"We don't want to have gridlock in the city," said Johnson.

The idea is to make it easy to get into the city and around it for all the OpSail events starting off with Saturday's grand entrance.

"That's an experience of a lifetime to be on one of those ships or to be watching it from the shoreline," Johnson said.

One more thing: the view and all the shuttles are free.