New London — The U.S. Coast Guard barque Eagle left New London Saturday, May 11, to begin the summer training program for more than 600 Coast Guard Academy cadets.

The cadets will learn navigation, engineering and sailing principles.

“We are excited about this summer and playing this integral role in the development of these young men and women,” said Capt. Raymond “Wes” Pulver, Eagle’s commanding officer. “Sail training not only exposes the cadets to the sea, but more importantly, it plays a key role in fostering the leadership and teamwork skills they will need as future officers in the Coast Guard.”

Before it left, Eagle, which is known as “America’s Tall Ship,” was moored at City Pier for three weeks and hosted more than 2,300 guests for tours.

Eagle will make port calls in St. Maarten; Aruba; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Florida; Bermuda; St. Pierre; Nova Scotia; Massachusetts; and New Hampshire before returning to New London in August. To follow Eagle’s cruise, visit the ship’s Facebook page.