The USCGC Eagle is a tall ship and the official training vessel of the United States Coast Guard. Commissioned in 1946, it serves to train future Coast Guard officers in sailing and seamanship. The ship is a barquentine, meaning it has both square and fore-and-aft sails, and is often referred to as a "floating classroom." Eagle is 295 feet long and has a sail area of 22,300 square feet. It is homeported in New London, Connecticut and participates in various public events and educational programs. The ship also honors the maritime heritage of the United States and promotes the importance of the sea.