Every summer, impressive sailing vessels from around the world gather in ports around Europe for the Tall Ships Races. The races are designed to encourage international friendships and to train young people in the art of sailing. More than 50% of the crew of each ship must be between 15 to 25 years of age.

Starting in 1956, this year sees the 60th anniversary of the regatta. The first race of the 2016 summer series was held in Antwerp, and the second leg has just drawn to a close in Lisbon, the city from which Portuguese navigators sailed over 500 years ago in search of the New World. Further events will be held in Cadiz and A Coruna in Spain, and in Blyth, England. IBTimes UK presents photos of the Lisbon leg of the 2016 Tall Ships Races.

Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
The Venezuelan ship Simon Bolivar sails under the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members stand on the masts of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc as it leaves Lisbon Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
The Simon Bolivar flies a huge Venezuelan flag as it departs from Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Several ships are docked at Santa Apolonia dock in Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
A ship is docked in front of National Pantheon monument at Santa Apolonia dock in Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members of the Portuguese sailing ship Creoula stand in front of a sail as they depart from Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members of Venezuelan sailing ship Simon Bolivar stand on the bow as they depart from Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members of the Portuguese sailing ship Creoula (L) climb the masts as crew members of Mexican sailing ship Cuauhtemoc stand on the masts before departure from Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Venezuela's ship Simon Bolivar is pictured during the Tall Ships Races 2016 parade in Lisbon Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
The Italian ship Amerigo Vespucci sails out of Lisbon Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
The Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc sails under the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members stand on the masts of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members prepare a ship before the beginning of the Tall Ships Races 2016 Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members prepare a ship before the beginning of the Tall Ships Races 2016 parade Pedro Nunes/Reuters
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc paint the figurehead of their ship Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc check their phones as their ship is moored at Santa Apolonia dock Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members of Venezuelan sailing ship Simon Bolivar wave as they depart from Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Nautical flags are seen behind crew members of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
German sailing ship Alexander Von Humbold II departs from Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
A sailor stands in front of several ships moored at Santa Apolonia dock in Lisbon Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc stand on the deck Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
Lisbon Tall Ships 2016
Crew members stand on the rigging as Mexican sailing ship Cuauhtemoc departs from Lisbon during the Tall Ships race 2016 Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP
More from IBTimes UK
Portugal