Oxnard, Calif. – The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain return to Oxnard Tuesday, Feb. 3 offering dockside tours, three-hour sailing adventures, and a new activity, “Tours Aloft.” The ships are scheduled to arrive at approximately 4 p.m. at Channel Islands Harbor Marina, 3900 Pelican Way off Victoria Avenue, in Oxnard. The ships will fire a cannon salute to the city and tie up for a six-day visit. Both vessels make annual visits to the community.

For the first time in Oxnard, the ships will offer Tours Aloft, a new activity for guests dockside and during public sailings. For a suggested donation of $20, visitors can climb aloft in a harness for a mini-excursion to the highest yard on the main mast, as high as 70 feet off the water. Trained crew members will secure climbers into a full-body harness, and connect them to a fixed belay system. Climbers are encouraged to climb only as high as they are comfortable. (Due to equipment design restrictions, maximum weight for tours aloft is 220 pounds.)

Dockside tours are scheduled for Feb. 3-6, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests are welcomed aboard by crew in period costume. A $3 donation is appreciated.

Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain have also scheduled two Battle Sails and an Adventure Sail during their Oxnard visit. Battle Sails, featuring close-quarters maneuvers and cannon fire (with blanks) between the two vessels, are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7 and 8, 2 p.m. each day. Tickets are $60 for adults, $50 for students, seniors, and active military, and $40 for children under 12.

A family-oriented Adventure Sail, featuring demonstrations of tall ship handling and maritime traditions, is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. Reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets are $55 for adults, $45 for seniors, students, and active military, and $35 for children under 12.

Tickets for all sailings are available at www.historicalseaport.org or by calling 800-200-5239.

On-air hosts and producers: The ships’ captains and crews are available for interviews and live demonstrations of Tours Aloft. Contact Joe Follansbee, jfollansbee@historicalseaport.org, 360-589-0766.

Information is subject to change without notice. Please confirm before boarding. A Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain fact sheet is available on the Press Releases page at www.historicalseaport.org.