Which organization coordinates the OpSail events tied to the semiquincentennial?

Operation Sail, Inc. coordinates the OpSail events tied to the semiquincentennial. The nonprofit organization is the formal body behind Operation Sail, a series of large maritime celebrations featuring vessels from around the world.

Operation Sail began as the vision of maritime historian Frank Braynard and Nils Hansell. The inaugural event took place in 1964 alongside the New York World’s Fair, after President John F. Kennedy endorsed the idea in 1963. Its stated aims include international goodwill, maritime-history education, and sail training.

The organization’s past events have marked major milestones, including the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, the Statue of Liberty centennial in 1986, the Columbus quincentennial in 1992, the new millennium in 2000, and the War of 1812 bicentennial in 2012.

A common mix-up is calling the event simply “Tall Ships.” Tall ships are its centerpiece, but smaller sailing vessels also participate, and the official coordinating organization is Operation Sail, Inc.—not Tall Ships America or another similarly named group.