LISEC's Tall Ship Sailing Program became its signature contribution for promotion of maritime awareness in Port Jefferson between 1996 and 2002. It provided up to 30 days a summer for residents and visitors to get out on the water under sail giving, according to its publicity "a unique opportunity for seafarers and landlubbers alike to take a step back in time to experience the romance of the wind and sea with an adventure aboard a classic sailing vessel."

Please note this program has been put on hiatus as we focus on building the Playground Skipjack during 2003 - 2004, and the Bayles Boatshed which we began planning for in 2005.

Regular visitors in Port were:

The Quinnipick, a classic 91' sparred length gaff rigged wooden schooner, built in 1984 and carrying a full complement of traditional tanbark sails. Her captain and crew offered biology and ecology classes as well as sail training experience during the sails. Trained LISEC docents provided historical commentary as well.

The Soundwaters, a steel hulled three masted schooner built in 1986. She was also a gaff rigged schooner with a pared lend the 80' whose crew offered programs in marine biology and environmental studies. She also hailed from Connecticut.

The Lettie G. Howard, a beautifully restored 1893 fishing schooner, owned and operated by the South Street Seaport as a certified as a Sailing School Vessel. She was a gaff rigged schooner with a 125' sparred length.

The Pioneer, built in 1885, the first iron sloop built in the united States and the only surviving iron-hulled sailing vessel. Also owned by South Street Seaport, she was rebuilt in 1968 and it's a two-masted gaff rigged schooner with a sparred length of 102'.

The Sylvia W. Beal, an 84' turn-of-the-century wooden schooner that has been in continuous service since she was launched in 1911 as a fishing schooner. Since 1980, she has sailed as a windjammer and educational vessel.

The HMS Rose, which was in Port Jefferson for day-long sail training sails and a gala fundraising event in October 1998. She is a 500 ton 179' long replica of a British frigate. At that time she was permanently berthed in Bridgeport, CT but has since re-located to Los Angels, CA, where she is featured in movies such as "Pirates of the Caribbean."

The Jeannie Johnston, a 148' three masted barque with four square sails per mast and single topsails. Seven years in the making, the ship is a re-creation of the historic vessel that made 16 trips across the Atlantic, bringing more than two thousand Irish fleeing the potato famine of 1847-1858, to New York, Boston and Quebec. LISEC was co-sponsor of its visit to Port Jefferson in the summer of 2003.