UPDATE: Mayflower II sets sail to home port, a little later than planned

The Mayflower II is finally returning to Plymouth Harbor today, where officials say she belongs, after a long winter away.

Jennifer Monac from Plimoth Plantation said the historic ship was expected to depart Fairhaven this morning around 11:00, and head to Plymouth, but it did not start its journey until about 2:45pm.

Its not clear what caused the delay.

The historic ship which was expected to enter the Cape Cod Canal, near the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, around 2:00 this afternoon, now isn’t expected to enter the west end of the cana; until about  4:45, and expected in Plymouth Harbor later in the evening.

During the voyage, WATD will have a direct feed with the ship’s Captain, Peter Arrenstam.

Monac says the Mayflower II, a “Massachusetts Treasure,” has been spending its winter months in Fairhaven, undergoing repairs.

Monac says Plymouth Harbor is the best place to see the Mayflower II.  Monac says the Cape Cod Canal will also provide spectators with a good view of the Mayflower II.

A welcome home party for the ship, planned for Thursday night, will now take place on Friday morning starting at 10am. And, the first 50 people greeting the crew on Friday morning during the party will receive free tickets to visit Plimoth Plantation, courtesy of WATD.

The ship arrives, just in time, for opening day, Saturday, at Plimoth Plantation.

To follow the ship’s progress, log onto www.plimoth.org, or keep your radio tuned to 95.9 WATD-FM.