MARION — On June 16, dozens of cruising boats will take to the Marion Bermuda racecourse to sail the 645 nautical mile-course from Buzzards Bay, off of Marion  to the island of Bermuda.

This year’s edition of the event includes the Spirit of Bermuda, a 118-foot 3-mast Bermuda Rigged Schooner that has utilized the event as both an offshore educational experience as well as for competition for many years. There are also two entries from the United States Naval Academy, crewed by midshipmen from Annapolis.

Of the 32 entries, 13 boats plan to sail without the aid of GPS/AIS or other electronic navigational systems, instead relying on celestial navigation. Currently, the smallest boat registered is a 33-foot Jeanneau Sunfast, skippered by Bradford Gibbs from Newport, Rhode Island.

Spectators can join the fleet at the starting line, though must stay outside of the racecourse area. The Marion Bermuda Race committee will be setting up the start line at approximately 1.25 NM south-southeast of Centerboard Shoal at approximately 41° 38.9’ N 070° 42.4’ W.

For those on the water to watch the start, the committee requests your cooperation so that the race can begin in both a safe and timely manner. The first warning signal is slated for 12 p.m. on the June 16, with the Sail Training Class starting first. They will be followed by Founders Class C, with a warning signal at 12:15 p.m., then Founders Class B at 12:30 p.m., Founders Class A at 12:45 p.m., and finally, the Founders Performance Class at  1 p.m.