LIVERPOOL'S maritime heritage is to the fore this long, long, long bank holiday with a series of family style free events at Merseyside Maritime Museum and the International Slavery Museum.

The Tide is High from this Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June 2012 captures the diversity and fascination of Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront where countless millions of travellers have arrived and departed over the centuries.

Here’s just a few of the things for visitors to enjoy:

Dockwatch between 11 am and 4 pm Saturday to Tuesday: Take a closer look at creatures including jellyfish, prawns, crabs and mussels using a remotely-operated camera. Hosted by Seized! The Border Agencies National Museum with support from Liverpool John Moores University and staff from World Museum’s popular Aquarium, this event gives an insight into the dock’s unique ecosystem.

Hoylake Lifeboat Museum Boat Rides: Every half hour from 12 noon to 3.30 pm Monday. All aboard for a free tide around the dock and learn a little of the history of this superb 63-year-old Liverpool class rescue vessel.

Ghanaian Youth Association Dance Group 1230 – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday: Dance and drama from Ghana performed by gifted young performers.

Monsters of the Deep 1 – 4 pm Sunday: Drop anchor and create your own sea monster in this art and craft session.

All hands on Deck at intervals 1 – 4 pm Sunday and Monday: A fun handling session answering such questions as What is a fid? and Why is a ship a she?

Zilla’s Crew: Wrecks and Rescue 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30 pm Tuesday: In interactive performance with Zilla’s Crew capturing the songs and rhythms of the sea – from pirates and mermaids to drunken sailors and wrecks.

Life in West Africa Handling 1 – 4 pm Saturday to Tuesday: Find out about life in West Africa before the transatlantic slave trade, demonstrated with handling collection objects.        

Other attractions at the two museums (both in the Merseyside Maritime Museum building) include Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story exploring Liverpool’s central role in the Titanic story, ‘42’ Women of Sierra Leone featuring portraits by British photojournalist and writer Lee Karen Stow and Racing for Gold, a display of three racing craft marking the Olympics.