The Pinta, a replica of one of history’s most famous ships, will be docked at English Park from July 7-16, and it will be open to the public as a “floating museum” for dockside educational tours.
When the Pinta docks next month, self-guided tours will be available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with no reservations necessary. Tickets are purchased at the ship and prices, and cost $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+)/military, and $6 for children (5-16). Children 4 and under are admitted free.
Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule a 30-minute guided tour with a crew member during the weekdays should go to ninapinta.org/tour/html. Group tours require a minimum of 15 people. Call 251-293-4193 or email [email protected] for any inquiries.
Owensboro has a direct connection to the Pinta replica, as native Ryan Embry is part of the crew. Like many others, he stumbled across the Pinta as a guest, asking crew members what life was like aboard the vessel and how they joined the crew. Read more about his journey here.
Normally, the Pinta would be joined by her sister ship the Nina, but the replica Nina sustained heavy damage in a hurricane a few years ago and is still undergoing repairs.
The replicas were built by Portuguese shipwrights using the same methods and hand tools that were used to build the originals in the 15th century. The original La Pinta and La Nina were among the three Spanish ships used by Christopher Columbus in his first transatlantic voyage in 1492.
