At the suggestion of Coast Guard public affairs staff Capt. Michael Turdo, the Eagle invited Mayflower II to sail together Thursday during Mayflower II's sea trials.

Related: View a photo gallery of the joint sail

The waters of Fishers Island Sound, where Mayflower II has been training for the last two weeks are too tight and shallow for Eagle to navigate under sail, so Mayflower II was towed out to deeper, more open waters in Block Island Sound, several miles south of the Rhode Island shore, for the joint operation.

A C-130J aircraft from the U.S. Air Force 106th Rescue Wing made a low flyby over the two ships.

Mayflower II returned to City Pier in New London after Thursday's sea trials and will continue training into next week. Eagle remained at sea training Coast Guard Academy cadets.