Naval Academy training cruise in Stonington this weekend

Stonington - The Stonington Harbor Yacht Club will host a squadron of four 44-foot sailboats and 32 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy this weekend.

The midshipmen and crew, who are in the midst of a training cruise, are expected to arrive about 8 a.m. Friday and depart Monday morning. In between they will stay with host families and visit attractions such as Mystic Seaport's Wooden Boat Show and Napatree Point.

From noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the midshipmen will host tours of the boats which are named Brave, Honor, Courage and Intrepid. The tours are open to the public.

The club will welcome the midshipmen with a ceremony Friday and host a reception and barbecue for them on Sunday.

"You see it written that it's an honor and a privilege. This truly is," yacht club Commodore Charles Hatton said Tuesday about hosting the midshipmen and their boats.

Hatton said the effort ties in with the club's successful year-old effort to attract active duty military families to become members at a reduced fee.

"They share our mission of excellence on the water," he said. "It's been great for the club."

j.wojtas@theday.com