SATURDAY, DEC. 21

Participate in hands-on experiments in water quality, chemistry and marine biology during this three-hour, tall-ship tour exploring the ecology of the coast, where a group of high school students, some who have traveled as far as Japan and Cuba to present research on ocean plastic pollution, will serve as bilingual educators and interpreters for tour attendees.

A new initiative geared toward Latinx youth entering fields of science by the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s Top Sail Youth Program, 12 monthly sails were made possible by a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy. The first tour took place in November, with the second, holiday iteration readying to embark from Ports O’Call harbor, this afternoon.

“It is the only bilingual marine environmental tour in all of California,” said Mark Friedman, who taught Marine Biology at Animo Leadership High School in Inglewood for 14 years, and developed the proposal for the Conservancy grant about a year ago.

Another great thing: On top of engaging more budding marine biologists, the tour aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce ocean plastic pollution through learning about the human impact of the coastline and studying its marine organisms.

Giving us a moment’s pause: Be sure to wear layers, as it gets windy on the water, as well as closed-toed, soft-soled shoes. No children under eight will be allowed due to safety considerations.

The Tall Ship tour runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., please show up at 12:30 p.m. to board at Berth 78 in Ports O’Call Village, next to the San Pedro Fish Market; take the walk-around that runs along Candy Town and wait outside the dock gate (and allow time for parking as weekends are busy, said Friedman).