Parade of Sail set to grace the River Derwent on Sunday

Australian Wooden Boat Festival © Doug Thost

A large fleet of sailing vessels will grace the River Derwent this Sunday (7 February 2021) as the Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) and the Royal Hobart Regatta combine to present the Parade of Sail.

The Parade of Sail usually heralds the start of the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival which, sadly, cannot proceed in its traditional format this year because of Covid 19 restrictions.

However, this magnificent spectacle on the River Derwent, comprising boats of all shapes and sizes, will again celebrate Tasmania's rich maritime culture and community.

The AWBF wooden boat fleet will follow the Motor Yacht Club Tasmania's Launch ML Egeria and tall ships Windeward Bound, Lady Nelson, Rhona H and Yukon around a course starting at the John Garrow Light at 11:30 am, sailing up to Wrest Point before crossing the river to Rosny Point and back to Sullivan's Cove on the western shore finishing at the Hobart Regatta Ground.

The spectacle of so many vessels under sail is always an attraction for families and especially for photographers.

The Parade of Sail has been designed to ensure maximum public viewing opportunities whilst adhering to social distancing and COVID-19 regulations. With so many vantage points on both sides of the river, small groups will be able to congregate safely and enjoy the Parade of Sail.

Registered participants in the Parade of Sail have been advised to adhere to higher-than-normal marine safety practices while sailing in such numbers around the harbour.

General public boat owners are encouraged to follow behind the fleet observing all maritime and safety rules and regulations, and keeping clear of the wooden vessels participating in the Parade of Sail.