Tall Ship Gazela Heads to New England

For the first time in five years, Philadelphia's tall ship Gazela will take to the ocean, leaving Philadelphia at 3pm, Sunday, heading north to New England.

KYW's Jim Melwert reports the Gazela has been limited to protected waters like the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River because of a damaged rudder.

But repairs have been made and Captain Scott Cointot says the 175-foot square rigger will head 250 miles on the Atlantic Ocean to New Bedford, Massachusetts:

"Big difference, big difference. Chesapeake Bay in the summer time, very hot like it is today in Philadelphia, not a lot of wind. You get off shore it's much cooler, you don't see land, blue water, a lot more fun."

No passengers on the Gazela, instead it's a crew made up of volunteers who have put in hours of work. Making this trip is Betsy Bein:

"It's hard, hard work, but it's really exhilarating too, and being out at sea at night and looking at the stars."

Gazela has a trip to Long Island planned for next month and then an oyster festival on Long Island in October.

Learn more about the Gazela at http://www.gazela.org/