Military vessels coming to OpSail 2012

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) -- There is a major military presence in southeastern Connecticut, which is why it's so fitting to have a major military presence with Opsail 2012.

At Fort Trumbull News 8 learned nine military vessels will sail into the July event; Coast Guard cutters Morro Bay and Juniper, along with the USS Carter Hall, which sends U.S. Marines and Special Forces into hostile environments. In July, it will be navigating the friendly waters in Niantic and New London.

"Reward our sailors for all their hard work," said Capt. Marc Denno, Submarine Base Commanding Officer. "For Carter Hall's nine month deployment they get a good liberty run ashore, and of course we like to ensure the taxpayer and the public gets to see where their hard earned money goes to."

"It's important because we believe we are showing our history, our state, and we want people to come," said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman.

Lt. Gov. Wyman, along with the Governor, will be sailing in on the Barque Eagle leading the parade of sail.

"I'm going to try to get all over the Barque Eagle if I can," said Lt. Gov. Wyman.

At Fort Trumbull the Barque Eagle will be docked, along with the Brazilian tall ship the Cisne Branco. While OpSail will be taking over the entire waterfront in downtown New London Sailfest will still be happening.

"I think it definitely will bring more people because we have 24 more boats than we usually have," said Barbara Neff, Sailfest, "so I think people will definitely come."

That would make the city's largest event the state's largest event.