Water taxi to expand service this weekend
New London — The Thames River Water Taxi will offer expanded service this weekend for residents and visitors celebrating the 4th annual Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival.
The water taxi, which links the waterfronts of New London and Groton, and both cities' state parks and historic forts, will carry 30 passengers onto the Thames River to watch the parade of sail, said Jacalyn Dietrich, co-owner of Thames River Water Taxi LLC.
“We’ll go out to Ledge Light and they can get a close up view of the boats coming in,” she said.
The ride to watch the parade of sail is free to season ticketholders and $15 for all other passengers, she said.
All riders, including season ticketholders, must book tickets in advance online at trwtllc.com, because seats are limited, Dietrich said.
The taxi leaving to watch the parade of sail will depart Fort Trumbull at 1:10 p.m., she said.
Another ferry will run on the water taxi’s regular 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. schedule from Friday to Sunday, Dietrich said.
In addition, the water taxi will offer service from City Pier to Fort Trumbull for those who want to tour the Navy destroyer that will visit the city this weekend.
The Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) will be docked at Fort Trumbull and open for free public tours from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Visitors will be required to provide photo identification and go through a security checkpoint, similar to one in an airport, before touring the ship.
Round-trip water taxi service to visit the Ramage will cost $10, Dietrich said. The ferry service will be available from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday if there is demand for it.
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