Toronto Search and Rescue-Marine Leads the Parade of Sail into the Toronto Tall Ships Festival

This past Friday, June 27th, the 2025 Toronto Waterfront Festival launched in spectacular fashion as Toronto Search and Rescue-Marine (T-SAR) proudly led the Parade of Sail into the harbour.

As the fleet of tall ships sailed through the Eastern Gap around 11:30 AM, thousands of spectators lined the Toronto waterfront and islands to witness this iconic start to the weekend festival. At the front of the procession was T-SAR's flagship vessel, TSAR 2, guiding the historic ships safely into port with precision and pride.

An Honour and a Privilege

Being selected to lead the Parade of Sail is a distinguished recognition of T-SAR's role in the marine community—not only as a search and rescue unit, but as year-round stewards of safety and education on Toronto's waters. Our crew's presence at the helm marked both a ceremonial honour and an operational responsibility, reflecting the professionalism and commitment of every volunteer onboard.

On the Docks: Community Outreach and Safety Education

T-SAR's participation in the Tall Ships Festival extended far beyond the water. Throughout the weekend, our members were stationed at our vessel and informational tent, engaging directly with the public.

Visitors of all ages stopped by to learn about our mission, the work we do, and how they can stay safe on the water. From discussions about lifejacket use to insights into our training programs and emergency response capabilities, our crew was proud to educate festival-goers on boating safety and the vital role T-SAR plays on Lake Ontario.

Our presence also served as an opportunity to connect with aspiring volunteers, answer questions about marine search and rescue, and share stories from real-world operations. It was a rewarding and impactful weekend for everyone involved.

T-SAR Featured on Local News

As part of the celebration, T-SAR was also featured on local news broadcasts, helping spread awareness of our mission to an even broader audience. Viewers across the Greater Toronto Area had the chance to see interviews with crew members, footage of TSAR 2 leading the Parade of Sail, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our operations. The coverage highlighted not just the pageantry of the tall ships, but the essential work our team does in keeping Toronto's waterfront safe.

We're proud to represent the volunteer spirit of our city and thank the media outlets who helped share our story.

A Festival to Remember

The Toronto Waterfront Festival, presented by Redpath, runs through Sunday, June 29 at Sugar Beach. Highlights include:

• Deck tours of visiting tall ships including Pride of Baltimore II, SV Fair Jeanne, and Lettie G. Howard

• Live entertainment on the George Brown Stage

• Interactive activities, delicious food, and sail-aways aboard the Empire Sandy

As the sails rise and the harbour comes alive, T-SAR remains committed to our mission: promoting safety, educating the public, and providing rapid marine response when it matters most. We were honoured to lead the fleet, speak to the public, and share our story with the city.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by—and fair winds to all!