Two of Richmond's biggest festivals are set to join forces this summer.
The inaugural Ships to Shore event last year will return in late June and culminate with the Steveston Salmon Festival on July 1.
It's hoped the two events, both very popular in their own right, will compliment each other and deliver an added attraction to the historic Canada Day celebrations.
However, Ships to Shore 2012 will not be at the Garry Point dock and will be hosted at Imperial Landing on Bayview Street instead.
The floats that welcomed the likes of the Hawaiian Chieftan and Lady Washington last year have been moved to Imperial Landing.
In his report to city council this week, parks senior manager Mike Redpath said the switch to Canada Day will provide a "waterfront element to the existing Steveston Salmon Festival."
Redpath said the city has already received some "positive interest from an exciting mix of vessels," about attending Ships to Shore 2012.
It was also highlighted in the report that the Ships to Shore event will be able to enjoy a read-made crowd from the ever-successful Salmon Fest.
If approved by city council next month, this year's Ships to Shore will run from June 29 until July 1 with ships arriving the day before and departing the day after.
The $115,000 needed to host this year's event would be taken from the city's major events provisional fund.
Meanwhile, the city has been consulting with other west coast port cities with a view to attracting the larger tall ships for 2013 and 2014.
The Japanese Sail Training Institute has expressed interest in potentially returning to Richmond for the first time since 2005, when its highly popular Kaiwo Maru tall ship visited.
The Nippon Maru, which sailed into Richmond in 2002, may also make an appearance.
"These magnificent Japanese tall ship sailing vessels would be a welcome addition to the maritime programming in Steveston," wrote Redpath.
"Both have historically drawn a large regional audience for ship viewing and boarding opportunities."
Future ship recruitment may also include vessels from Chile, Argentina and Mexico.
