Today is Saturday, November 23, 2024 
What a summer! After getting off to a rainy start the season of 2017 kicked into high gear with Sailfest’s 40th Anniversary celebration. Close to 400 visitors and locals took a break from the summer heat by hopping on and off the water taxi visiting Fort Griswold and other sites in Groton, Fort Trumbull and City Pier in New London. Our fireworks tours sold out with one rider commenting, “This is the only way to see the fireworks.”
We had over 2,100 riders this season, a 38% increase over last year. And dozens more took advantage of historic and sunset tours. We were also pleased to learn that almost 500 people took advantage of our mobile app to read or listen to information about the Park sites.
More exciting news: we are closer than ever to adding a fourth landing site at the Submarine Force Museum & USS Nautilus. Read about this tremendous collaborative effort.
As every boat owner knows, boats require constant maintenance and attention. Our water taxis – two historic Navy liberty boats (more about them) – are no different. We made some wonderful improvements this year including the installation of a captain’s T-Top and a new aft awning on the Groton as well as hand railings and sound systems on both the New London and the Groton. A captain’s T-Top and new aft awning for the New London are planned for next season.
In addition to riding the water taxi to visit all the sites in this rich historic district and just getting on the water, loads of people filled the boats to go to lunch, dinner and/or drinks on either shore, avoiding the construction on the bridge and being just a little greener.
Some of our Park partners took advantage of chartering the boats for fundraisers and other events, which are sure to increase next year (read more).
Thanks for all of your continued support. And a big shout out to our 2017 sponsors! By way of this new communication we will continue to keep you informed. But we always want to hear from you. If you have comments and questions, stories about your experiences in the Park and/or on the Water Taxi please contact me directly at [email protected].
I wish you a very happy, healthy, and bountiful Thanksgiving.
Cheers,
