Large crowds have been showing up to see the tall ships moored this week at Spud Point Marina in Bodega Bay, with many people turned away because of limited opportunities for dock-side tours.
Since Wednesday, more than 2,000 people have visited the marina to see the ships, which are part of a week-long celebration commemorating the arrival 200 years ago of the Russian settlers who established Fort Ross.
All education tours and public sails for both the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain are booked through Monday, with only limited dock-side tours available today and on the weekend.
On Thursday, about 600 people showed up for the chance to board the Lady Washington between 3-5 p.m. and the Hawaiian Chieftain from 4-5 p.m. The Lady Washington could only take 140 people while the smaller Hawaiian Chieftain could only accommodate 60 people.
That meant some 400 people were turned away, said Deborah Klein, manager of the county-run Spud Point Marina.
"Nobody anticipated the unprecedented response to the tall ships," said Klein. "We've had some really unhappy, disappointed people."
The brig-class Lady Washington -- a sailing ship with two square-rigged masts -- is a replica of the first American-flagged ships that visited the North American west coast in the late 18th century. At sea, she can accommodate 45 people, and a more than that while docked. The topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain can hold 39 at sea, a little more while docked.
On Saturday and Sunday, the two ships together will host a combined 390 visitors a day during public tours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The two ships also will conduct "battle sails" in outer Bodega Bay on both days from 2-5 p.m.
Klein said she expects Bodega Bay to be swamped by visitors on the weekend, possibly creating traffic and parking problems at Bodega Head and Doran Beach.
"Because it's the weekend, whatever we've been seeing during the week is bound to triple," she said.
Joe Follansbee, a spokesman Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which owns the ships, said his organization did not anticipate such large crowds.
"We had no idea that this would happen," he said. "We're working with the marina to accommodate all these crowds."
Klein said anyone interested boarding the ships for dock-side visit or one of the two weekend battle sails should show up early and be prepared to make it an all-day outing.
Parking at Bodega Head and Doran Beach is limited.
"What will happen, is cars will double park and triple park and not be able to get out," she said.
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