Tall Ships Festival Part of RCMP 75th Anniversary Celebrations

The Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival has another historic attraction.

Event organizers announced today, May 17, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has added a number of events to the harbourside festival as part of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the RCMP in Nova Scotia.

The RCMP catamaran, Patrol Vessel Murray, will be docked on the Halifax waterfront from July 13 to 16, as part of Tall Ships complement of more than 60 vessels from India, the Netherlands, Germany, the Caribbean, U.S. and Canada. Public viewings of the Murray will be scheduled.

The Mobile Command Post, commemorative exhibits and members in Red Serge will also visit the waterfront during the festival, as will members of the RCMP Musical Ride, from July 13 to 25.

The RCMP have a storied maritime history that dates back to 1932.

The marine division of the Nova Scotia RCMP pioneered many navigational tools. The RCMP arctic patrol vessel St. Roch sailed from Vancouver to Halifax and was the first to navigate the route through the Northwest Passage.

After an overhaul from 1942 to 1944 in Halifax, the St. Roch returned to Vancouver in a record 86 days. In 1950, the St. Roch again forged new territory, circumnavigating North America via the Panama Canal.

The St. Roch now serves as a National Historic Site at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

As the RCMP program is confirmed, schedule and viewing times will be posted at www.tallshipsnovascotia.com